The Pirates of Malabar, and an Englishwoman in India Two Hundred Years Ago

'The Pirates of Malabar, and an Englishwoman in India Two Hundred Years Ago' is a collection of historical accounts, predominantly that of the Malabar pirates and their exploits, although a chapter is dedicated for a woman who married an English navy captain and lived in India, at a time when British has not yet colonized the nation. Malabar pirates discussed in the book include the most famous of them—Kanhoji Angre, also known as Conajee Angria or Sarkhel Angré. He was actually an Indian Grand Admiral of the Maratha Navy, but became known for attacking and capturing European merchant ships and collecting jakat (known to locals as taxes); acts which are seen by Europeans traders and colonists as ransoming of their crews. British, Dutch and Portuguese ships often fell victims to these raids. Despite attempts by the Portuguese and British to put an end to his privateering activities, Angre continued to capture and collect jakat from European merchant ships until his death. Kanhoji's naval prowess in capturing dozens of European trading ships and avoiding capture has led many historians to appraise Kanhoji as the most skilled Indian Grand Admiral in the maritime history of India.