Who among the following was the commander of the Maratha naval forces under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and played a crucial role in fortifying the Konkan coast?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Maynak Bhandari served as a trusted naval commander or Daryasarang under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, playing a pivotal role in constructing sea forts and defending the Konkan coastline. While Kanhoji Angre later became a legendary Maratha naval commander, it was Maynak Bhandari who commanded the fleet during Shivaji's era. The Maratha navy was instrumental in checking the dominance of foreign colonial powers on the western coast.