New History of the Marathas v1.c5.117

v1.c5.117

It will be clear from the foregoing analysis of the condition of Mahārāshtra and its people that it was never completely subjugated by the Muslim conquerors. The prevalent system of village autonomy ensured the peoples' freedom in point of justice and police. The various landlords enjoyed practical independence for ages. The physical character of the country and the mental cast of its people, were entirely different from those of the other parts of India. The people of Mahārāshtra always possessed a spirit of revolt and independence and only needed some capable leader to organise them. It has often been a moot question in historical disquisition, whether it is the sudden advent of a qualified leader that moulds the character of a people and exacts national service from them; or whether it is the circumstances and the situation of a people which bring forth the sort of leader they need. We cannot categorically maintain either the one view or the other. Very often there is partial truth in both. Carlyle says, “a hero is both the creature and the creator of the times he lives in.” Revolutions do not invariably become successful because there are bound to be a large number of favourable and adverse factors in any situation.