New History of the Marathas v2.c35.33

v2.c35.33

The trials and hardships to which Madhavrao was exposed since the very start of his short career, compelled him to detect the most vulnerable spot in the Maratha body politic. The Maratha State since Shahu's days had developed not as a strong unitary Government but as a confederation of states loosely held together under the central authority. In this confederacy the rights, duties and responsibilities of the feudatories had never been clearly defined or rigidly enforced. Madhavrao inherited this unfortunate legacy and found to his cost that the jagirdars either openly defied the central authority or joined the enemies of the State. With the help of competent confidential advisers he gradually succeeded in checking the evil by punishing the wrongdoers and creating solidarity and a workable unity in the Government. This significant achievement becomes plain not only in his wars and administrative measures, but even in the jealousy, which his growing power excited in the minds of the British. On 10th March 1771 the Madras Council wrote,—" From the present conduct of the Marathas both in the north and in the south and from the genius, spirit and ambition of Madhavrao we are inclined to suspect that their designs are not confined to the mere collection of Chauth, but extend to the subjugation of the whole peninsula.”⁵