[2] Historian Sir Jadunath Sarkar noted: Nothing proves Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's genius as a born statesman more clearly than his creation of a navy and naval bases.

[3]In early Modern India, significant Muslim powers such as the Mughal Empire had paid less attention to building the naval arm of their military forces.

This scenario changed, however, when the Portuguese arrived in India and started monopolizing and controlling trade on the western coast of the continent.

Shivaji realized the importance of a strong navy and commissioned the building of the first Maratha naval vessel in a creek near Kalyan around 1654.

The Maratha Navy consisted mostly of native Konkani sailors; however, it was commanded mostly by mercenaries, including Siddi and Portuguese.

During its expedition to Karwar (present-day Karnataka), the navy possessed around 85 assorted Gallivats (warboat) ranging from 30 to 150 tons and 3 three-masted Gurabs/Grabs (warship).

Maynak Bhandari, Darya sarang and Daulat Khan were the admirals of the Maratha Navy in Sambhaji's reign.

He sent a party led by senior Maratha Commander Kondaji Farzand to Siddi under the pretext of a fake quarrel with him.

Sambhaji Maharaj ordered his forces at Parsik to bombard any Portuguese supply ships crossing the Thane Creek.

Sambhaji purchased Elephanta island to check the influence of the English East India Company (EIC) near Mumbai.

Sambhaji Maharaj invited him to Konkan to train the Maratha Navy in quick ship building and usage of artillery.

Kanhoji owed allegiance to supreme Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shahu and his first minister Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath.

Under the leadership of Kanhoji, the Maratha developed a naval base at Vijayadurg featuring dockyard facilities for building vessels, mounting guns, and making the ships sea-worthy.

Any ship sailing through Maratha territorial waters was to pay a levy called Chouth, which expressed Angre's dominance.

[17] The 2007 Hollywood film Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End portrays a character named Sri Sumbahjee, which is a purported reference to Sambhaji, son of Maratha Naval officer Kanhoji Angre.