In a letter dated 11 March 1745, Tulaji wrote, “Rajashree Yesaji Bhosale had planned to get down the Ghats beneath Mahimatgad along with his force, and harm us. So, you wrote that Rajashree Swami and revered mother Baisaheb had dispatched Rajashree Banba to bring Yesaji Bhosale to them. We understand what he would do coming here. Those coming here should have thought what would be the effect and how they would survive. If they decided to come even after this, then our policy of respect must be changed to disrespect. It was good that the Swami turned his forces around. Whoever tries to move a muscle here, would be defeated.”
The British had written to Nanasaheb on 15 January 1745 laying their grievance about Tulaji before the Peshwa, “You cannot but be sensible to the robberies and injuries Tulaji and his predecessors have committed upon the Honourable British Company and those under their protection to the amount of an immense sum which naturally obliges me to take all opportunities of distressing him.”
The letter further gives the importance of Anjanvel for the Marathas and the Peshwa’s own trade from inland territories, since that was the main route by which the British brought and sent goods inland. The route would close once Anjanvel fell into Tulaji’s hands, and the Peshwa would lose revenue, “The port of Anjanvel is to be wished in any hands than Tulaji, in being the only one left which has greatly contributed to the increase of your revenue and consequently the enriching of your dominions.”
Capturing the Govalkot and Anjanvel forts from the Siddis became an important objective for Shahu. He urged his Peshwa to write to his good friends at Bombay, to desist from helping the Siddis, so that Tulaji could take the forts. Taking into consideration the strained relations with Tulaji, Nanasaheb wrote a rather roundabout letter to the British on 18 January 1745 transmitting his sovereign’s request, “Your Honour already knows it is the Raja’s order that Anjanvel and Govalkot should be taken. He has now directed Tulaji Angre to besiege both places, but as he considers Tulaji and you are at variance, and that you may molest his fleet, he orders me to write Your Honour not to do so, or to succour the Siddis, to this purpose; I have before written to you and now do the like. Angre now besieges those places, therefore. I desire you will consider of what I now write you, and as you know what will increase our friendship, you will act accordingly about this business. I have given orders to Tukaram and he will inform Your Honour…”
Later, Maharaj granted the office of Sarkhel to Tulaji, gave him one of the contingents of Fatehsingh Bhosale, and asked Jiwaji Khanderao Chitnis along with the force, provisions and treasury to accompany him. On 23 January 1745, Govalkot and Anjanvel were captured by Tulaji, and he himself wrote the account for the same on 27 January 1745 as follows, “To Rajashree Balaji Raghunath Gosavi, Sarkhel Rajashree Tulaji Angre presents his wishes. We had besieged Anjanvel, and on the second day of the waxing moon fortnight of the month of Magha, Monday, I myself boarded the naval ship, while also attacking the fort from the landward side along with the whole army, we captured it two hours in the day. Writing this for your information. The moment the news about Anjanvel’s fall reached Siddi Yakut at Govalkot, he ran away with ten of his men. The people who had been left behind, tried to entice some of Chiplun’s soldiery to their side, and had acquired their standard and men from that fortress. We had dispatched our navy over Govalkot. They sent one gentleman for negotiations with message, that their act of flying our standard was fine, but take our two hundred men inside the fort. They shouted from the top of the fort disallowing them to approach it. They also opened up a right barrage of cannon- and gunfire over our men. Due to that, five to ten of our men were injured. But they attacked the fort in the afternoon. Thirteen to fourteen hundred men attacked from the water as well. Govalkot was also captured on the Thursday. Writing this satisfactory news for your information. You are our representative at the court. Keep writing about the happenings at court regularly. What more to write about this. Keep your benevolent eye upon us.” Balaji Raghunath Vaidya was Tulaji’s representative kept at Shahu’s court at Satara. This letter was written to him on 25 January 1745.
A happy Shahu congratulated Tulaji and renamed the forts as Gopalgad and Govindgad. The capture finally confirmed Tulaji’s appointment as the Sarkhel of the Maratha fleet.
To be continued…
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