Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha Kingdom, was required to assert his equality at Sea in order to safe guard the political and economic interests of his nascent state. Western side of his state was threatened by the Siddis, the Portuguese and the English. The Siddi was like a mouse in the house. Shivaji organized a navy in order to checkmate their activities. He was fully convinced that he who possessed an armada ruled the waves.