Mughal–Portuguese War (1692–1693)

The Mughal–Portuguese War of 1692–1693[1] was a brief conflict between the Mughal Empire and the Portuguese Empire in India, launched by the Mughal general Matabar Khan against the Portuguese in Bassein, near modern day Mumbai.

Mughal–Portuguese War (1692–1693)
Part of Mughal–Portuguese conflicts

Fortress of Bassein in 1635.
Date1692–1693
Location
Vasai, Maharashtra, India
Result Status quo ante bellum.[1]
Belligerents
Mughal Empire Portuguese Empire
Commanders and leaders
Matabar khan Viceroy Pedro António de Meneses Noronha de Albuquerque
Strength
Unknown Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown

Backgorund

In 1693, during the Mughal–Maratha Wars the region of Konkan served as a base of Maratha activities since it was suitable for launching raids against the Mughals in Deccan.[2] One of these refuges for Marathas was the fort of Sidhgarh (29 miles southeast of Mahuli, the Mughal general Matabar khan after waiting for six months, they captured the fort on 20 October, upon hearing this loss, the Maratha generals Khandoji Kadam and Damaji Naryan led a force from Rajmachi and blockaded Sidhgarh by occupying the village below the fort, Mughal reinforcement arrived and expelled the Marathas after a heavy fight.[3]

The escaping Marathas found shelter in Portuguese territories after bribing the local Portuguese governor, the Portuguese started supplying them and giving shelter to Maratha families as well, the general of Salsette Island Tristao de Mello favored the Marathas[4][5]

Course of hostilities

The Portuguese denied the Mughals permission to cross their territory to attack the Marathas.[1] Having learned of the Portuguese acts, Matabar khan launched an attack against them, a strong detachment invaded their holdings in Konkan, and he drove the native peasants into the Mughal side and captured many of the enemy families whenever found, the Portuguese attempted to offer a fight but were routed after a severe battle,[6][7] he captured two forts according to Khafi Khan the Mughals then chased the retreating Portuguese in Bassein, they set the church outside of Bassein to fire and halted at Bahadurpura asking Aurangzeb to lend him more reinforcements to attack Bassein and other forts.[8] The domestic enemies of the Portuguese took advantage of this and sided with the Mughals as the inhabitants of Uran did.[9]

The viceroy of Goa sent a letter to Aurangzeb and presents to his minister and servants.[10][11] It was not difficult for the viceroy to obtain the cessation of hostilities by a diplomatic manner, remembering to the Mughals the longstanding relations between them and military cooperation in a previous conflict.[1] The viceroy denied any involvement with the Marathas, which the Mughals accepted.[1]

Aurangzeb ordered the cessation of the war and the release of the Portuguese prisoners as a quarrel with Europeans would hinder the trade and diminish his revenues, Matabar attempted to reverse this by explaining his conduct but failed.[12]

See also

References
  1. Alexandre Lobato: Relações Luso-Maratas 1658-1737, Centro de Estudos Históricos Ultramarinos, Lisboa, 1965, pp. 35-36.
  2. Sarkar, Jadunath, History Of Aurangzib, Vol V, p. 152-3
  3. Sarkar, Jadunath, p. 153
  4. Proceedings of Meetings, اVol 17 Indian Historical Records Commission p. 225
  5. Sarkar, Jadunath, p. 154
  6. Sarkar, Jadunath, p. 155
  7. S.R. Sharma, Mughal Empire in India: A Systematic Study Including Source Material, Vol 2 p, 552
  8. Sarkar, Jadunath, p. 155
  9. Sarkar, Jadunath, p. 155
  10. Sarkar, Jadunath, p. 155
  11. S.R. Sharma, p, 552
  12. Sarkar, Jadunath, p. 155
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