Q: Who is considered the father of the Indian Navy?
A: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is often referred to as the father of the Indian Navy due to his strategic establishment of a naval fleet to protect the Maratha Empire.
Q: What was the significance of the Sindhudurg Fort?
A: The Sindhudurg Fort, located off the coast of Maharashtra, served as a naval base and watchpoint to safeguard the Maratha Empire from foreign invaders using the sea route, particularly the Portuguese and the British.
Q: How did Shivaji Maharaj contribute to naval warfare?
A: Shivaji Maharaj was a visionary who realized the importance of securing the sea routes for the expansion and protection of his empire. He commissioned the construction of forts and a naval fleet for defense and trade regulation.
Q: When did Shivaji Maharaj first encounter the sea and decide to build a navy?
A: After the battle of Jawali in 1656, Shivaji Maharaj recognized the strategic importance of the sea for the protection and expansion of his territory and began building a naval fleet.
Q: How did the Maratha naval fleet differ from previous dynasties?
A: While there’s evidence of boats being used in ancient times, Shivaji Maharaj consolidated a naval fleet specifically for the protection and political interests of his kingdom, marking a strategic evolution in maritime defense.
Q: What was the role of the forts built around Sindhudurg?
A: The forts around Sindhudurg, including Rajkot, Sarjekot, and Padmadurg, were instrumental in regulating trade and providing a strategic defense network against foreign invaders approaching from the sea.
