Draft:Battle of Basrur

Battle of Basrur was a naval raid that took place on 13th februrary, 1665 when Maratha naval fleet headed by Shivaji inflicted a major defeat on Portuguese forces at port of Basrur. The raid was aimed at breaking the trade control of the Portuguese over port and allowing Keladi Nayakas to re-secure the port which they had lost to Portuguese earlier. Shivaji gained immense financial booty from the plunder that certainly helped in financing his nascent Hindu Kingdom apart from demonstrating prowess of Maratha navy.

Background
Basrur (Sanskrit: Vasupurā, Portuguese: Barcelor) is a small town on the southern banks of Panchagangavali estuary, formed by the confluence of five rivers — Varahi, Souparnika, Chakra, Kubja and Kedaka, all taking birth in the Western Ghats.

Basrur was under the rule of Vijaynagar empire. Post defeat of Vijaynagar empire in battle of Talikota, Nayakas of Keladi who were vassals of Vijaynagar empire grew independent and gradually controlled all important ports across Kanara region including Basrur. Portuguese who wanted to monopolise sea trade attacked port of basrur in early 1569. Anticipating an attack, Basrur was put on guard by 11,000 men, by two powerful families of the region — the Jain Tolaharas, who hailed from Suralu near Barkur and the Bunt family of Honneya Kambli Arasas from Hosangadi. The attack on Basrur happened at night and a pitched battle was fought. Both sides lost heavily and the Portuguese temporarily retreated to Goa but came back later with a larger army. Under the leadership of Pedro Lopez Rebello, the Portuguese finally emerged victorious.

In June 1652, sensing an opportunity to recover the entire coast, Shivappa Nayaka laid siege to Basrur. Within a month, the Portuguese were forced to abandon it. However Portuguese re-occupied Basrur during the rule of Somashekara Nayaka who was unable to challenge Portuguese as Adil Shahis had occupied some territories up and down the ghats and Nayars of Kerala also tried to occupy territories south of Mangalore.

Amid mounting troubles, Somashekara Nayaka requested Shivaji for help in liberating Basrur from Portuguese rule. Shivaji urgently needed money to establish and sustain independent Hindu Kingdom in face of Islamic sultanate powers. One of the way to gain wealth was trading along western coast of India however Portuguese had almost monopolised sea trade and did not let anyone else to venture the ship without paying protection money. In desperation, Shivaji resorted to plundering raids on wealthy ports like Surat and Vengurla. Basrur, likewise was one of the most profitable port and fit for plundering raid to gain enormous financial booty.

Naval Raid
Shivaji had sent an earlier expedition with four ships to whole coastal region of Kanara for recce in 1664. It examined various creeks and estuaries with their sandy bars at their mouth opening into sea.

Shivaji boarded the ship at Malanad port on 8th feb, 1665 to start expedition to Basrur. He had 3 ships and 85 small frigates with him. The fleet passed Goa without any attack from Portuguese. Passing along the northern Kanara, it finally approached its destination Kundapur creek.

The raid started early in the morning when the fort of Basrur was unguarded by the garrison and they summarily looted the traders. Cash, bullion and the horses from the Arabs were all a part of his booty. The Dutch estimated their loss at 3,00,000 guilders. There seemed to have little to no counter-attack from Portuguese garrison at fort of Santa Luzia in Kundapur that controlled entry and exit to Basrur.

Aftermath
After successfully plundering Basrur, Shivaji embarked on return journey halting at Gokarna. On reaching Gokarna on his way back, Shivaji Maharaj informed Somashekhar Nayak about the liberation of ports of Basruru and Gangolli. Some years later, Portuguese gave up their imperial ambitions in Kanara after getting defeated by Somashekara Nayaka in battle of Gangolli in 1670.

Legacy
Naval raid of Basrur was Shivaji's first and the last naval expedition of his career. Shivaji had successfully demonstrated the efficacy of Maratha navy and dislodged Portuguese from Basrur that reduced the monopoly of Portuguese and other foreign traders. This battle is celebrated as Basruru Swatantrya Dina Mahotsava on 13 February every year in Basrur.