The Portuguese, who controlled coastal bases like Goa and Diu, were the European power that often supplied cannons and artillery to Shivaji, albeit cautiously and sometimes indirectly. Although the Portuguese frequently conflicted with Shivaji over territory and naval dominance, they viewed the Marathas as a crucial counterbalance to the Mughal and Bijapur armies. This strategic necessity meant the Portuguese were a valuable, if intermittent, source for the Marathas’ needs, especially concerning gunpowder and advanced weaponry unavailable in the Deccan interior.