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Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Shivaji sent an ambassador to Bombay to negotiate an agreement with the English. 2. His chief motive was to secure English aid against the Siddis of Danda-Rajpuri. 3. He wanted a supply of grenades, mortars and other ammunition.
Explanation
Shivaji Maharaj maintained a strategic diplomatic relationship with the English East India Company at Bombay. In 1674, during the period of his coronation, Shivaji sent an ambassador to Bombay to negotiate a formal agreement with the English [2]. His primary motive for these negotiations was to secure English naval and military assistance against the Siddis of Danda-Rajpuri (Janjira), who were a persistent threat to the Maratha coastline [3]. Shivaji recognized the superiority of European military technology and specifically sought to induce the Company to supply him with modern ammunition, including grenades, mortars, and other weapons of war to bolster his siege capabilities [3]. Although the English were hesitant to fully commit against the Siddis to maintain their own neutrality, the diplomatic efforts and the request for specialized ammunition are well-documented historical facts [3].
Sources
- [2] https://dspace.gipe.ac.in/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10973/28967/GIPE-013473.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y
- [1] https://sahitya.marathi.gov.in/ebooks/A%20HISTORY%20OF%20THE%20MARATHA%20NAVY%20AND%20MERCHANTSHIPS.pdf
- [3] https://ia803406.us.archive.org/27/items/in.ernet.dli.2015.111096/2015.111096.Bombay-And-The-Marathas_text.pdf