Chimaji Appa

Chimaji Balaji Bhat (c. 1707 – 17 December 1740), born as Antaji more commonly known as Chimaji Appa, was a military commander and statesman of the Maratha Empire. As the younger brother of Peshwa Bajirao I and the son of Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath, Chimaji played a crucial role in expanding and consolidating Maratha power during the early 18th century. Known for his strategic acumen and leadership in various military campaigns, Chimaji is particularly celebrated for his successful campaign against the Portuguese, which culminated in the capture of the Vasai fort in 1739.

Chimaji's military career was marked by several key campaigns, including the Peshwa's Gujarat campaign and the battles of Dabhoi and Bundelkhand. However, his most notable achievement was his campaign against the Portuguese in the Western Ghats, where he systematically weakened their strongholds and eventually captured the vital Vasai Fort after a series of strategic victories.

Peshwa's Gujarat campaign

When Trimbak Rao Dabhade, the son of Khanderao Dabhade refused the Peshwa to share the right of Chauth and '' Sardeshmukhi'' tribute collection to Chhatrapati Shahu I, it led rivalry between the Peshwa and the Dabhade clan in Gujarat. In 1730, Peshwa Bajirao I sent Chimaji Appa to Gujarat to force the Mughal Governor of Surat, Sarbuland Khan to cede Shahu I the right to collect Chauth. Chimaji imposed Chauth claiming half of the revenue from the Gujarat province.
He was also involved in the Battle of Dabhoi as a commander of the Bajirao's faction in that war.

Campaign against the Portuguese

Chimaji Appa concentrated his energies towards the Western Ghats. Vasai (formerly known as Bassein) was the ultimate objective of the war, as this was the capital of the provincial government of Portugal's northern Indian state.

Capture of Belapur Castle

In 1733, the Marathas, led by Chimaji Appa, with Sardar Shankarbuwa Shinde wrested control of the Belapur Fort from the Portuguese. Sardar Janojirao Shinde, actual grandfather of Ranojirao Shinde and younger brother of Dattaji Shinde I opened the attack from Maratha side. He made a vow that if it were successful to recapture the Belapur fort from the Portugueses, he would place a garland of beli leaves in a nearby Amruthaishwar temple. And after the victory, the fort was renamed as Belapur fort.

The capture of Vasai

After careful planning, Chimaji Appa led Maratha armies into the occupied territories in 1737. Chimaji's strategy was to go for the weakest link in the chain to the strongest, thereby progressively weakening the Portuguese.

On 28 March 1737, Maratha forces led by Ranojirao Shinde and Shankarbuwa Shinde captured the strategic island fortress of Arnala, thus cutting off a crucial relief line to Vasai. Thane and Salsette Island were freed in 1737.

In November 1738, Chimaji Appa captured the fort of Dahanu and on 20 January 1739, Mahim capitulated. This was speedily followed by the capture of the forts of Kelve/Mahim by Chengojirao Shinde, Sirgão – by Ranojirao Shinde, Tarapur – by Janojirao Shinde and Asserim on 13 February 1739 by Chimajirao Peshwa self. On 28 March 1739 Portuguese lost the island and the fortress of Karanja to Raoloji Shinde's forces.

Bhavangad fort was built to by Shrimant Chimaji Appa Peshave on 1737 to capture the Fort Bassein by Maratha Army and most of the secret activities were done at Bhavangad fort.

Finally in February 1739, Chimaji Appa invaded Bassein Fort. He first occupied Versova fort, Dharavi and blockaded Bassein Creek. Then mines were laid at various points under the fort walls and detonated, causing a breach in the wall. As the Marathas including Ranojirao Shinde and his cousin grandfather Janojirao, son of Shrimant Changojirao poured into the fortress, the Portuguese fought on using their technically advanced weapons and artillery, causing high casualties among the Marathas. Inch by inch the fort was secured and resistance contained in small pockets. On 16 May, the Portuguese army surrendered. Portuguese Captain Caetano de Souza Pereira signed the surrender as most of the top army officers were already dead.

Chimaji was magnanimous in victory, and surviving Portuguese were given a safe passage from the city. Portuguese were given eight days to take all their movable property and move out. Accordingly, the last remnants of Portuguese army and administration pulled out of Vasai by 23 May 1739. The Portuguese sources record that during the entire war with Chimaji Appa during 1737–1740, besides the Northern Province's capital Baçaim (Portuguese name for Vasai), they further lost eight cities, four chief ports, twenty fortress, two fortified hills and 340 villages. The losses amounted to nearly the whole of the Northern Provinces.

To celebrate his victory and to fulfill a vow taken in front of Devi Vajreshwari, Chimaji Appa had a temple built for the goddess nearby. The Vajreshwari Temple still stands there as a relic of Maratha glory. Chimaji Appa took large bells from the churches in Vasai Fort as war trophies during action against the Portuguese between 1737 and 1739. He offered the bells at Bhimashankar, at Menavali near Wai in front of a Shiva Temple on the banks of the Krishna river, Banshanker Temple (Pune), Omkareshwar Temple (Pune) and Ramlinga temple Shirur.

Chimaji Appa is a well known and highly respected figure within Vasai, Bhayandar, Virar, Thane and Navghar region. Konkani celebrate his victory even today on Gudi Padwa a Maharashtri new year. Appa's contribution to Agri history is carried forward through generations through classic Powada across Maharashtra. He founded and renamed many villages including Vasai now a suburb, Bhayandar now a suburb, Virar now a town, Navghar now a town, Murdha, Rai, Morva, Dongri, Gorai and many more.

Death

Chimaji Appa died on 17 December 1740 just 6 months after the death of his elder brother Bajirao I.

In popular culture

*In the 2015 drama film ''Bajirao Mastani'' directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Chimaji Appa was portrayed by Vaibhav Tatwawadi
*In the popular historical drama '' Peshwa Bajirao'', which has been telecasted on Sony TV from 23 January 2017, the character of Chimaji Appa has been portrayed by the young child artist Ayaan Zubair Rehmani and the elder version is being played by actor Saurabh Gokhale.

Legacy

The ground in Vasai, a suburb of Mumbai, is named after him. The name of Ground is Chimaji Appa Kridangan.
A memorial has been built near the Vasai Fort containing a statue of Chimaji Appa along with a garden.

References

Further reading

* Prakash Harischandra: Chimaji Appasaheb Peshwa: The Slayer of Portuguese Regime. ISBN 978-1697751659

External links

The history of Vasai

{{DEFAULTSORT:Appa, Chimaji
People from the Maratha Empire
Peshwa dynasty
Marathi people
History of Vasai
1700s births
1740 deaths
History of Thane district