Shivaji's invasions of Janjira

Shivaji's invasions of Janjira
Part of Maratha invasions of Janjira
Murud-Janjira fort
Date 1661–December 1676 Location Murud-Janjira Result Siddi victory
Belligerents
Siddis of Janjira	Maratha Empire
Commanders and leaders
Siddi Yaqub Siddi Qasim Siddi Khairyat	Shivaji Moropant
Strength
300 Men (Final assault)	10,000 Men (Final assault)
Casualties and losses
Unknown	15,000 troops dead (overall death)

The Shivaji's invasions of Janjira were a series of military campaigns launched by the first Maratha ruler, Shivaji, against the Abyssinian rulers of the sea fortress of Janjira named Siddis between 1661 and 1676. The Marathas attacked the Janjira fort annually, and during the final siege of 1676, the Maratha Peshwa Moropant faced a counterattack by the Siddis, forcing the Marathas to retreat with heavy casualties.

The Siddis, once part of the army of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate under Malik Amber, switched their allegiance to the Adil Shahi Sultanate after Ahmadnagar fell to the Mughal Empire. Despite attacks by the Marathas under Shivaji, the Adil Shahi rulers provided no military aid to the Siddis, which almost led to the surrender of the fort to the Marathas. However, Siddi leaders like Qasim, Khairyat, and Siddi Sambal opposed surrender and continued their wars with the Marathas. They eventually shifted their allegiance to the Mughal Empire, which provided them with military support. The Marathas launched annual attacks on the Janjira fort but failed to capture it each time, suffering significant losses. In 1676, the Maratha Peshwa Moropant faced a major setback when Siddi Qasim, with the Mughal fleet, launched a surprise attack on the besiegers. This forced the Marathas to retreat, and despite Shivaji's efforts, he was unable to capture the Janjira fort from the Siddis during his lifetime.