2024-10-24 Thu

On This Day in 1657, The Maratha Empire captured the Forts of Kalyan and Bhimpuri (Bhiwandi) under the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

After passing the reigns to Sarkhel(admiral) Kanhoji Angre, the Marathas became a ferocious force with a fleet of 500 ships to keep the Portuguese and British at bay singlehandedly for nearly 40 years, until his death, in 1729.

India Post issued a commemorative postage stamp in 1999, to honor the biggest Naval ship of the Maratha Empire the Ghurab which had 2-3 masts and the capacity to carry 100-150 people.

Date of Issue: 5th April 1999

Denomination: 3Rs

Perforations: comb 13½ x 13¼