History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c59.s3.1

v4.c59.s3.1

The backbone of Shivaji's army was composed of the peasantry belonging to the *Maratha* and *Kunbi* castes. "As a class the Marathas [of today] are simple, frank, independent and liberal, courteous, and, when kindly treated, trusting. They are a manly and intelligent race......No caste supplies the Bombay army with so many recruits as the Ratnagiri Marathas. Others go into the police." "The Deccan Kunbis are steady and hard-working.........a very quiet and orderly class,......strong, hardy, enduring and muscular."