The Military System of the Marathas, with a Brief Account of Their Maritime Activities c7.11

c7.11

were not hereditary, and the Spanish Government took good care to curb their power by sending special commissions to the newly conquered kingdoms. It may also be added here that the Portuguese followed a similar policy in India, most of the lands in Bassein and Bombay having been granted in the first instance to deserving military officials and others, who in return were bound to furnish military service to the King of Portugal. Subsequently, the obligation to perform military service was exchanged for a ‘quit-rent’. The defects of the Maratha system were obvious. It made unity of command impossible and created hereditary commands by postulating hereditary genius. It transferred civil administration to military officers who were not necessarily qualified for such work, and as a result even military efficiency suffered.