The coast of the Concan between Bombay and Goa, which belongs to the Mahratta territory, had always been the seat of piratical tribes, over which the family of Angria had reigned for many years on the two insulated cliffs of Gheria and Severndroog, where they became more and more formidable, till at length they felt themselves able to cope with the greatest powers of Europe in those seas. In February, 1754, a Dutch squadron of men-of-war was attacked by them, and the whole either burned or taken. The British then considered themselves called upon to take vigorous steps for putting down this growing and dangerous power, and the Mahrattas willingly afforded their co-operation. In March, 1755, Commodore James made a successful attack on these piratical strongholds; and they were entirely conquered in the following year by Rear-Admiral Watson and Colonel Clive; when the treasure, vessels, guns, and everything that constituted the strength of this piratical state, fell into the hands of the victorious squadron.
Meanwhile, the influence of the Mahratta confederation continued to increase under the Peishwa; and Scindia and Holkar – two chiefs who rose from very low stations – were destined, with their posterity, to dispute the sovereignty of Hindostan. It is foreign to our purpose, however, to enter into a narrative of the transactions of these three chief Mahratta powers, until the year 1773, when they became more intimately connected with the English Government at Bombay.
It was at this period a very favourite object with the Company to secure their possession of that settlement, by adding to it the port of Bassein, with Salsette and several smaller islands in its vicinity. Permission had been given to maintain an envoy at the Court of Poonah, who was instructed to watch every opportunity of obtaining these much-desired cessions; the matter, however, was treated coldly by the Mahratta Government, until the following circumstance occurred to favour their views.
Rugonath Row, or Ragoba, as he is more generally
