The Military System of the Marathas, with a Brief Account of Their Maritime Activities c10.4

c10.4

Shivaji had a regular artillery department called the *Tophkhana* and among his state departments is mentioned the *Darukhana*,² the exact Persian synonym of the Portuguese ‘Casa de Polvora’. This was quite in the fitness of things, for in the Deccan the Portuguese had at one time figured as the greatest masters of artillery, and Shivaji might have been consciously copying their methods. The real or pseudo-Portuguese in his service were not improbably employed in this department. For his supply of guns and cannons, however, he was entirely dependent on the European trading companies, for it does not appear that he had any gun-foundry of his own. For this deficiency we need not blame him. He was a pioneer in many things. During his short but eventful life he had attempted much and he had to leave much unattempted. It was impossible for him to accomplish everything.