Who We Are… History that inspires future generations…
Anandrao Rudrajirao Dhulap was a prominent Maratha naval commander (Sarkhel), succeeding his father Rudraji as the grand admiral of the Maratha Navy. He served between 1764–1795 under the later Peshwas.
Victories Against the British (East India Company)
Capture of the Ranger
On April 8, 1783, shortly after the First Anglo-Maratha War ended, Anandrao Dhulap attacked and captured the British ship Ranger—a 12-gun brig—near Ratnagiri. Although the British put up fierce resistance, the Marathas prevailed, suffering 75 wounded and eight notable casualties, while the English lost five officers and 28 men. Dhulap towed the captured vessel triumphantly to Vijaydurg as a war trophy.
Further raids and captures
In earlier years (1780), Dhulap’s forces seized a British ship carrying despatches from the Court of Directors and imprisoned the officer at Rasalgad.
These actions illustrate that the Maratha navy under Dhulap maintained aggressive and effective maritime resistance against British marine movements, even during periods of diplomatic transition.
Engagements with the Portuguese
Capture of the Portuguese frigate Santa Ana
In circa 1772, Anandrao Dhulap’s navy successfully captured a Portuguese frigate named Santa Ana. A notable remnant of this victory—the ship’s bell and mast—was later installed at the Shri Dev Rameshwar Temple in Rameshwar Wadi, near Vijaydurg Fort, as a memorial.
This symbol serves as a tangible testament to Dhulap’s naval prowess in the coastal confrontations against European powers.
| Opponent | Year | Engagement Details |
|---|---|---|
| British (EIC) | 1780–1783 | Seized despatch ship; captured Ranger (12-gun brig) and transported it to Vijaydurg; returned post-treaty. |
| Portuguese | 1772 | Naval victory capturing frigate Santa Ana; bell and mast installed at Shri Dev Rameshwar Temple (Rameshwar Wadi). |
Historical Significance
Defiance amid diplomacy: The Ranger capture shows how, even during peace negotiations, Maratha naval commanders like Dhulap continued to assert maritime strength.
Display of dominance: The presence of the Santa Ana bell in Rameshwar Temple symbolizes not only a military triumph but a deliberate public assertion of Maratha victories over foreign powers.
Role in setting up Vijaydurg Village:
Appointed governor of Vijaydurg Fort by Peshwa Madhavrao I, Anandrao significantly contributed to the region’s naval infrastructure. One of his enduring legacies is the Rameshwar Dockyard, which he expanded in the mid-18th century to accommodate ships up to 500 tons.
Memorials and Residences:
His mansion (wada) in Vijaydurg still exists and is accessible—walkers can reach it from the bus stand via a short pathway. The upper-storey murals remain intact and are a quiet, historical treat.
