Jawji Gawli

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Jawji Babaji Gawli (Marathi: जावजी बाबाजी गवळी) was also referred to as Jauji Gauli (Marathi: जाउजी गवळी) or Javji Gauli (Marathi: जावजी गवळी) or Jivaji Gauli (Marathi: जिवाजी गवळी) was a Sardar (Chieftain) in the Peshwa's army during the reign of Balaji Baji Rao.

Family background

Born to Babaji Gawli, he had a brother named Maloji. He was a resident of Khare Patan, a village in the

Sindhudurg district of Konkan, Western Maharashtra
.

Historical role

Jawji Gawli's major historical role was during the Anglo-Maratha-Angre wars of 1755 and 1756. He fought in the Battle of

Vijaydurg.[1][2][3]

This period was during the reign of Peshwa

English, Portuguese and also the Peshwas. Tulaji was ambitious and capable and did not wish to be subordinate to the Peshwa. He plundered the ships of the English, Portuguese and began to levy contributions from the Peshwa's own territories.[4]

The Peshwas took the help of English to wage a war upon Tulaji Angre who was one of the sons of Kanhoji Angre. Peshwas and English jointly attacked Suvarnadurg. The joint siege of the fort lasted from 25 March to 2 April 1755. On 12 April 1755, Sir William James, 1st Baronet captured the fort and formally handed it over to the Peshwas.[5]

Role in key battles

The Capture of Geriah, February 1756

Jawji Gawli fought along with Khandoji Mankar on behalf of the Peshwas. He represented the Peshwas during negotiations and was associated with the Konkan Governor of Peshwa –

Vijaydurg fort. His significant historical role has been provided in great details in the book 'Peshwaiche Divya Tej' authored by Vithal Waman Hadap published in 1940.[6] [7]

Letters from Nanasaheb Peshwa

The famous historical archives in Pune – Peshwa Daftar – Part 24 has letters which provide references

Peshwa's Letter To Jawji Gawli #156

a. Letter no 142 – Jawji Gawli Kharepatankar

b. Letter no 152/153 – Maloji Gawli

c. Letter no 156 – Letter from Peshwas to Jawji Gawli

Significance of Battle of
Vijaydurg
(Gheriah)

Vijaydurg Fort was called the "Eastern Gibraltar", as it was virtually impregnable. The British failed to take this fort from 1718 till 1756. The taking of Vijaydurg was amongst the most significant battles and a defining moment in Maratha Naval history. The Angres held sway from Surat in the north to Konkan in the south severely affecting British trade interests. The British-Peshwa joint victory over Tulaji Angre therefore paved the way for unhindered access for British ships on India's western coast, which was hitherto denied by the Angres. A different outcome of this battle could have changed the course of British rule in India or at least postponed it. An author cited has said that the Battle of Vijaydurg (1756) was perhaps the maritime equivalent of the Battle of Plassey (1757).[8][9][10]

Migration of descendants

The descendants of Jawji Gawli and Mahuji Gawli later migrated to Northern Maharashtra, first to Ahergaon and subsequently settled in Chalisgaon in Jalgaon district.

This history of the family has been documented by late Shri Valsing Ishram Patil through an autobiography written in April 1958.

Notes

  1. ^ "The Gazetteers Department – RATNAGIRI". Cultural.maharashtra.gov.in. Retrieved 2021-05-15.
  2. ^ "Osmania University Library". ia801607.us.archive.org. 1940.
  3. ^ Sardesai, Govind Sakharam (1946). New History Of The Marathas Vol 2 (1 ed.). Bombay, India: Phoenix Publications. Retrieved 2021-07-31.
  4. ^ "Anglo-Maratha Struggle for Empire: The Importance of Maritime Power". Indiandefencereview.com. 2017-08-14. Retrieved 2021-05-15.
  5. ^ AlexAitken. "A history of the Maratha people : Kincaid, Charles Augustus, 1870- : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming: Internet Archive". Retrieved 2021-05-15.
  6. ^ Hadap, Vithal Waman (1940). Peshwaiche Divya Tej (1 ed.). Bombay, India: Parchure Puranik ani Mandali.
  7. ^ Apte, B.K. (January 1973). A History of the Maratha Navy and Merchantships (PDF) (1 ed.). Bombay, India: State Board of Literature and Culture – Government Central Press. Retrieved 2021-05-15.
  8. ^ "Vijaydurg Fort Maharashtra". 18 May 2012. Retrieved 2021-06-27.
  9. ^ Dhabu, Damodar Gopal (1939). Kulabkar Angre Sarkhel. Alibaug, India.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  10. ^ "Revisiting the Konkan sentinels -Suvarnadurg,Vijaydurg & Sindhudurg". The Economic Times. 9 January 2020. Retrieved 2021-06-27.
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