Maratha–Portuguese War (1683–1684)

The Maratha–Portuguese War of 1683–1684 refers to the Mahratta invasion of the Portuguese-controlled portions of Goa and also the Bombay area of the north Konkan. The conflict between the Mahratta Confederacy and Portuguese India, continued on various fronts in between 1683–1684.

The Portuguese had maintained cordial relations with the Mahrattas under Shivaji, in order to check the Deccan Sultanates. As the Portuguese were an oceanic empire, not interested in any inland conquests aside from some lucrative coastal ports and forts. In 1682, two years after the death of Shivaji, Sambaji started arming and fortifying the border along Portuguese territories. Then, the concerned Portuguese reluctantly aligned themselves with the Moghals.

Their concern materialised in a series of Maratha raids on Portuguese Goa, Bombay & other parts of the Konkan region. Sambhaji invaded Goa, temporarily occupied many forts & razed villages there. The Maratha forces were preemptively mobilised, and the Portuguese situation eventually became dire. Sambhaji ransacked north Konkan for over a month, his forces also pillaged Salcette and Bardes in the south. Sambhaji had intended to capture the city of Old Goa, the violence ceased and his forces retreated from most Portuguese lands in the Konkan on 2nd January, 1684, to avoid the large Moghal army led by Bahadur Shah I (Muazzam).

The Desais of Sawantwadi rebelled and sided with the Portuguese in the conflict, as they were forced to give up their political privileges due to Maratha supremacy. This was also the first time when the British, secretly aided the enemies of Portuguese India, providing the Marathas with weapons, artillery & munitions.