The Military System of the Marathas, with a Brief Account of Their Maritime Activities c12.11

c12.11

Shahu was the last King to play the military head of the State. This function after his death was invariably exercised by the Peshwa, except during the minority of the second Madhav Rao. During the Peshwa period the army was divided into three great bodies during the march, as we learn from William Henry Tone. The vanguard (or aghadi), which included the whole infantry, was called sadi fauj (Tone's 'cherry fodge') or light troops and was commanded by the holder of the Jari Patka, the imperial banner, a little swallow-tailed flag worked in gold and scarlet, and hoisted on a very high staff. The centre division was called the bich laskar and was considered as a body of reserve. It was not encumbered with any unnecessary equipment or artillery. The Peshwa himself commanded the rear, and the grand park, called the jinsa, as well as the baggage of the whole army were placed in the rear which was called bunga, according to Tone.²