Volume 16: Vasai campaign
The Vasai campaign was begun to seize Portuguese territories on the western coast of India. They were firmly entrenched in Goa, Bombay, Daman, Diu and several other forts for almost 200 years. Their forts were massive, built as star forts, and also had the advantage of naval support from their large ships. Any frontal attack on such forts was suicidal, and they could withstand a siege indefinitely, supplied regularly by the navy. The Deccan sultans had tried more than once, but failed to conquer them. The Hindu population of the Bombay islands appealed to the Peshwa for help, as they were being persecuted by the Portuguese. Starting in 1737, and ending in May 1739, was a very hard test for the Marathas, and the Peshwa's brother Chimaji Appa, who took charge of operations in 1738.
No. 11 - 1734
The writer informs Bajirao of the persecution of Hindus and forcible conversions, requests them to march in.
Salutations, today we got news from Kalyan. The firangis (Portuguese) in their territory at Salsette have conducted a census of all the people right from age 5 to the old. They are not letting people go about their business, and their troops detain whoever they please. They have gathered 150 gullivat ships as well. News is, they are going to forcibly convert everyone. There is unrest among the population on this account. I am writing so that you will be in the know. There is much more to write, regards.
No.14 - unknown date
Vasudev Joshi writes to the Peshwa and recommends strict punishment to the Peshwa for their defiant response.
Swami's letter has been received. The Firangis (Portuguese) have acted in bad faith and arrogance in their letter. At least 2500 men and 2000 cavalry should be sent to me, to teach them manners. I will send more details of their actions later.
No. 26 - 1737
Lakhmoji Khanvilkar has erected batteries near Bandra and has begun bombardment.
The cannons sent by the Swami have been deployed in batteries at the pond near Bandra. Rajashri Khandoji Mankar directed us and we erected another battery in advance of the first ones. We are now bombarding from close range.
No.28 - 14 January 1737
30 Portuguese man-of-war ships arrive at Bassein.
Yesterday on 5 Ramzan a Brahmin came from Mumbai. News from him and from Rajashri Narayan Joshi is that the Firangis (Portuguese)'s 30 - 35 warships are arriving. Of these, 5 are large warships, and 10 are medium sized. There may be some merchant ships too among them.
Another Brahmin came here from Suvarnadurg. He reported that 17 Portuguese gallivats are stocking up provsisions. After they were done, they were docked at the port.
No.36 - unknown date
Vishwasrao Krishna being battered by coastal batteries and navy.
As per orders, we are at Rajashri Shankarji Pant's battery near the creek. You must have received news of our battle today. We will continue to remain here. With what will we fight battles? All (most of) the infantry (hashams) were ordered elsewhere. There are 4 regiments here- me, Sitole, and Damdere's command. Ahead of us is the creek and the great fort. We are taking fire from both sides. On one hand, from the fort, from the other side, from the ships.
No.42 - 1st April 1737
Shankarji Keshav reports the capture of the fort of Rajawal. (Rajawali near Vasai today)
On Thursday night we left from the Mahuli forest, and early in the dawn we reached Ghotvad. We had trouble finding water on the route, and 2 people died from it. On the next day, Friday night, we moved from Ghotvad forest to Tungar forest. We finally found a river. We divided our forces into 2. A small handpicked force, and the rest. I was in the small force. In the larger force, Balaji Keshav and Khandoba were posted. We left that day with 2 ghatikas in the evening, and at ten prahars in the night, we reached the creek. They were immediately alerted to our presence. 200 men were posted at the bastion of Gokharve. 30 men were posted on the slope of Rajawal fort, and another 15-20 on each bastion. After reconnaissance, we discussed about the course of action with Gangaji. He advised that we should first eliminate the 30 men on the slope of Rajawal. I agreed that it was the best course of action. A 100-150 men were deputed to a gallivat. From the left side of the fort, at around one kos distance, Moraji Shinde, Bajirao Bekse, and other handpicked soldiers alighted from the ship. Just as they got off, the moon was covered by the clouds, and the water swelled in the creek. After 2 ghatikas, we started firing on the bastion. We killed the defenders. When we reached the bastion, they had 20 men still standing. When we got close, they got alerted to our presence. In the ensuing firing, the nearby bastions also got alert, and raised an alarm.
At the same time, Gangaji, who had already come ashore was flooded with water pouring in from the tide. By now, we had seized the bastion. The Swami may ask why did we not attack sooner. We had to wait until the moonlight dimmed. We had planned for this, and selected men who could swim. We promised a reward of a gold bracelet to the braves who were willing to swim and take the risk. Many agreed, and dived in -150 of them. Many lost their swords and equipment in this. Those who lost their muskets were given swords from others. In this way, 150 men finally made their way. Just then, we ran into a fishing boat. Satvoji Solanki and Ramji Tugkar were given 2 gold bracelets. They went to the fishermen. With their help, a makeshift bridge was made, and all 150-200 men crossed the creek. Khando Chimnaji was carried away by the current and lost. He had toiled hard. Balaji Keshav and Moraji Shinde (letter broken). Only God knows how hard we laboured to cross in the water. The next morning, the army descended onto Pedhi.(?) We seized the harbour and took what we needed. Next we travelled to Manikpur. At 2 ghatikas in the day, Rajashri Mahadjipant dada and Barwaji Patil's army also joined us. At 6 ghatikas, Rajashri Chimnaji Bhivrao also joined us. We visited the temple there. We halted there and had lunch. Several detachments were formed and sent to Bahadarpur. (this was a locality near Vasai, but does not exist today.). Finally everyone made their way to the battery at the fortress. With the reinforcements, we opened fire again. We have now captured and advanced beyond it. Other news is being sent in extra letters. If we had not laboured so hard and thought creatively, we would not have been here today.
No.46-47 - 2nd April 1737
Narayan Joshi writes to Chimaji Appa about the attack on Belapur fort.
46. 300 men were selected to storm the fort. We ensured they got whatever they needed. They advanced close to the gate and opened fire. But they fell short of storming it. The fire from the fort was heavy. 10-20 men fell. We tried to seize the ground in front of the bastion but we were beaten back. We also killed an equal number of their men. The men are content that we are able to hit them. Our assaults are costly in men. It is tough to attack. It could happen that we could attack and lose 100-150 men without any progress.
47. Today evening on Thursday, at 4 ghatikas, 9 Portuguese warships arrived. 7 large and 2 small. The small ones had 2 cannons each. Both posted themselves near our battery and started firing. The other gallivats came ashore and 150 men disembarked from it. Some 100 men sallied out in a sortie from the fort as well at the same time. Our men did not abandon their batteries. Their commander was killed. Few more of their men were killed as per our reports. The other ships evacuated some civilians and children from the fort. After they embarked, all the ships withdrew. We have four men injured, as well as one khasbardar. (elite soldier?). His finger has been blown off. Our men fought well, they did not flee. Our matchlock men and snipers with jezails have blocked their access to water outside from a nearby pond. Today was a small skirmish. But the enemy will attack again. We have enough gunpowder, but we require at least 2 or 3 thousand bullets. We will also need some equipment for the ongoing work of mining.
No.95- 5th December 1737
The writer writes to the Peshwa about a Portuguese attack which was repulsed. Their commander fell, and their artillery and arms were captured as they fled.
The Portuguese attacked us with great resolution. Our men were pushed to their limit. The terrain was unsuited, but we fought back hard. Their general was slain. 10 field pieces big and small were captured. Lots of muskets were captured as well. The enemy's standards and flags were also captured. We are watching for further movements. We have announced rewards for the men who fought bravely. The Portuguese were never routed this badly before this.
No.156 - 6 April 1739
A Dutch force of few warships attacks a Maratha fort and is repulsed.
The Dutch came to Vijaydurg. They started a heavy bombardment of the fort. Rajashri Sambhaji Angre deployed 10-12 cannons on the coast and fired back. He lost 2 ships, and their force retreated. This is the news from a spy from the English camp.
No.162 - 4 May 1739
Chimaji giving an account of the last major fort to fall- Bassein, at Vasai. The fort was eventually breached by digging tunnels, and putting large caches of gunpowder - called a charge, and then blown up to collapse the tunnel, and thus the tower/bastion above it.
The batteries at Vasai continued to fire, and we kept getting closer. Finally the mining tunnels got close to their bastions. The powder and charge was set. (damaged) has been written to you earlier. The first gunpowder charge was from the western side of the fort. Rajashri (damaged) (Ran)oji Shinde's 5 charges of gunpowder were primed on the left side of one bastion. Rajashri Yashwantrao Pawar and Rajashri Ranoji Bhonsle had set two charges each. On the right, were the gunpowder charges of Malharji Holkar and Santaji Wagh - two small ones and a large one. On the other side, was a charge by the infantry of Vibhutrao Santkar (damaged) was set aside. As soon as the charges went off and the bastion was blown up, negotiations were opened to surrender the fort. But the Portuguese then retired to the next bastion. The walls of this fort are enormously thick. 10-15 arms lengths thick, and quite tall to scale. In total, the complex has 9 bastions, and each bastion is a small fort in itself.
The ground in Vasai makes it very hard to be mined and ignite a gunpowder charge. Yet, our men persisted and braved fire from the fort to do it. On Wednesday, at 2 ghatikas in the day, we ignited the fuse. Ranoji Shinde's 4 mines went off. One mine did not go off. Just as some men went to check on it, it went off. Half the bastion got blown off. The force of it was large enough that some horses too died from the flying debris. (damaged) men of the infantry (damaged) died. Yashwantrao Pawar's (damaged) mines went off and to great effect. (damaged). Finally the fighting began with the enemy through the breach. (damaged) the entire fight did not fall on us. I will write in more detail later. There was no alternative to fighting for each bastion. It is great divine favour that this place fell to us.