Administrative System of the Marathas c8.s2.3

c8.s2.3

But Shivaji never tried to achieve the impossible. A practical statesman, he wisely rejected all unworkable ideals. He knew that the difficulties in his way were great, but he also knew that without an orderly government his kingdom would not be worth a moment's purchase, and so long as private war and blood feuds continued, he would not be able to introduce in his infant army that strict discipline which was essentially required for his very existence. Peace and order were absolutely necessary. But unless he could unite under his banner the numerous chiefs who exercised petty sovereignty in Maharashtra, a strong orderly government would be an idle dream. Once his aim was defined, he refused to be hampered by ordinary scruples. Policy required that he should try conciliation first. He was frequently unsuccessful, but whenever conciliation failed he did not hesitate to take stronger measures. One by one, the Deshmukhs of Mawal submitted to his authority and a considerable portion of the Bijapur territory was conquered. It was now that Shivaji had to frame a working scheme of government; but he was confronted with a very difficult problem. He had to decide how far the old system should be continued and to what extent reformed. Wholesale conservation and wholesale reform were equally out of question. The first would grant a fresh lease of life to feudalism with its concomitant evils of private war, blood feud, anarchy and oppression. A keen observer, he did not fail to notice the evil effects of the feudal system in the tottering kingdoms of Bijapur and Golkonda. But the total abolition of feudalism would alienate most of his countrymen, some of whom had submitted to him but reluctantly. He knew that the great defect of the Maratha character was its selfish individualism. The Maratha watandar thought of his watan first and of his country afterwards. Shivaji had, therefore, to strike a mean between the two extremes that would at the same time reconcile the watandars and ensure comparative order and peace.