when shivaji maharaj became master of a long coastal strip, he deemed it necessary to undertake the construction of a navy. shivaji maharaj realized that the one who had a navy, controlled the sea. to protect his own territory from the siddi's depredations, to protect the merchant ships and ports in order to secure and enhance revenue incomes derived from maritime trade and customs duty, he concentrated on building the navy. there were four hundred ships of various kinds in the navy. they included battleships like gurab, galbat and pal.