The Military System of the Marathas, with a Brief Account of Their Maritime Activities c4.10

c4.10

The Maratha state in its infancy was governed by an enlightened autocracy in the shape of a national monarchy. The army which gave expression to the ideals and aspirations of this state was naturally a national institution with strict rules and regulations. It formed a homogeneous body, commanded by a regular cadre of officers who had to obey one supreme commander. The monarchical autocracy was however soon replaced by a feudal despotism, and the national army had consequently to make room for a feudal force. Discipline in such a body is necessarily lax and homogeneity is impossible. During the Peshwa period therefore we no longer find a single army under one central organisation led and commanded by one supreme leader but a conglomeration of different armies led by different feudal chiefs who were not always inspired by common ideals or united by common interests. The total military strength of the State was under such circumstances not available at any given moment and one military officer of the State could be, and in fact was, often pitted against another. This necessarily reduced the general military resources of the State and rendered unity of command impossible.