The Positive Background of Hindu Sociology c14.s9.t7.50

c14.s9.t7.50

Rāmdās is speaking as a Maratha to a Maratha. To him naturally, for the time being, Maratha and Hindu are virtually convertible terms. The men and women of Mahārāṣṭra, the Maratha *antyajas* (lower castes), saints, Brāhmaṇs and all other occupational and social groups are nothing but Hindus. And in his "geopolitical" perspective the Hindus are for all practical purposes all to be found among the Maratha Brāhmaṇs, saints, *antyajas* and other socio-professional groups or castes. Sambhāji is therefore to appear throughout India as the champion of Hindu *dharma*, determined to carry forward its expansion (*bārhwāwā*) or *charaiveti* in all directions.