The Military System of the Marathas, with a Brief Account of Their Maritime Activities c12.42

c12.42

Before he started on an expedition a Maratha chief would invariably consult an astrologer to ascertain an auspicious moment for his intended journey. With all his practical wisdom even Shivaji could not rise above this common superstition, but while his efficient financial arrangement enabled him to start at the earliest possible moment, the chronic financial difficulties of the Peshwas and their chiefs rendered it most uncertain. Their first march was therefore only a nominal one, a tent was pitched just outside their headquarters, where they would go at the time fixed for their journey, but at this place they could be detained for several days by their soldiers clamouring for pay. Tukoji Holkar had to take elaborate precautions in 1794 to avoid the undesirable attention of his creditors and narrowly escaped the inconvenience and humiliation of a *dharna*.¹