New History of the Marathas v1.c18.34

v1.c18.34

But the credit of organizing the scattered Maratha nation against the Emperor’s power goes principally to Rāmchandra Nilkanth, ancestor of the present Amātya family of Bawda, who had been trained under Shivaji but had fallen in insignificance during the fitful rule of Sambhāji. The Pant possessed a peculiar genius for recognizing merit in men and harnessing it to promote the national interests. Rājārām thus describes Rāmchandra Pant's services. "This Maratha kingdom is a gift from Heaven. Rāmchandra Pant saved it in its dreadful crisis by carefully picking up the merits and capacities of men, inspired them with a spirit of service and devotion and employed them in appropriate spheres. With uncommon foresight he employed national resources to the best advantage. He successfully thwarted the heroic efforts of Aurangzeb who with his mighty resources came down upon the Maratha land determined to conquer it. Providence crowned Rāmchandra Pant's endeavours with success and frustrated all the cherished desires of the Emperor." Rāmchandra Pant was no soldier, and hardly moved from his base on any military expedition. He possessed the rare virtue of keeping his subordinates ever contented and willing to execute his commands. From his base at Vishālgad he kept a vigilant eye upon the doings of the numerous Maratha leaders, employed over an extensive field of war stretching from Burhanpur in the north to Jinji in the south.