Siege of Thane
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In the early 18th century, there was considerable tension between the Maratha Empire and the Portuguese in India. It all started when Count de Sandoville took control of the Portuguese territories in India in April 1732. His unfriendly attitude towards the Marathas made things worse.[1][2][3]
Siege of Thane | |||||||||
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Part of Maratha-Portuguese War | |||||||||
Thane Fort | |||||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||||
Maratha Empire | Portuguese Empire | ||||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
Chimaji Appa Shankaraji Phadke Mahadji Pant Phadke † Malharrao Holkar Venkatrao Ghorpade |
Pedro de Mello † Count de Sandomille Don Luiz Botelo | ||||||||
Strength | |||||||||
Unkonwn | Unknown |
As a result, the Marathas and the Portuguese started fighting almost immediately. The Viceroy, who was in charge of the Portuguese in India, worried about the Maratha threats. To protect themselves, they quickly built up defenses in a place called Thana. But in 1737, the Marathas managed to capture Thana. This was a significant victory for them as it made their position stronger against the Portuguese in Bassein. Even though the Portuguese tried to fight back, they faced the tough Maratha general Chimnaji Appa. In 1738, Chimnaji Appa attacked Thana, and during the fighting, the Portuguese commander Pedro de Mello was killed.[1][2][3]
With Thana under Maratha control, the situation become more difficult for the Portuguese. The Marathas also received additional riches from their northern expeditions, improving their strength. This meant that the Portuguese fortress of Baçaim was now virtually alone.[1][3][2]