The Positive Background of Hindu Sociology c14.s9.t7.52

c14.s9.t7.52

It is to be understood, besides, that the pan-Indian category which we use so glibly in the twentieth century was unthinkable in the seventeenth century. Moreover, the exploits of the Marathas which subsequently rendered them the virtual rulers off and on over the most diverse regions of India thereby enabling the emergence of a pan-Indian Hindu states-system could not have been foreseen by Rāmdās or even by Śivāji. Indeed, it is perhaps to the realisation of the dream or ideal of such a Hindu Empire or states-system extending as it should over all India that Rāmdās is spurring his prince. It is when the duty of *mahārāṣṭradharma bārhwāwā* has been done into life that the pan-Indian Hindu states-system would come into being, thanks, it might be dreamt of, to the glorious military feats of a son of Mahārāṣṭra. This sort of local pride can be honourably credited to Rāmdās and it is this sort of local patriotism to which Sambhāji is being incited.