A Note on the Genealogy of the Angrias

This note reproduces W. Courtney’s report on the Angria family, a Maratha naval dynasty. Kanhoji Angria, who built Colaba fort around 1630, had legitimate sons Sumbaji, Shikoji and Tuloji and illegitimate sons Manaji, Yesaji and Dhondji. After his death in 1729 the succession was contested; Sumbaji briefly succeeded but was imprisoned by his illegitimate brother Manaji, while other relatives sought support from the Portuguese. The line continued through Tuloji and Raghuji Angria, but succession often passed to natural sons who showed ability or made gifts to the Peshwa. Courtney’s genealogy differs from other accounts: he names Sambaji rather than Shikoji as the eldest legitimate son, treats Manaji as illegitimate, asserts that Tuloji died childless and omits Raghunath Angria. Letters appended to the report reveal how claimants petitioned the British Government after Raghuji II’s death for recognition of their rights. The article highlights the ambiguities in the Angria family tree and shows how Maratha succession was shaped by illegitimacy, personal merit and political expediency.

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