Shivaji Maharaj has been compared by Europeans with great war leaders. Portuguese viceroy-compared him with Ceaser, Alexander, the British compared with Hannibal

https://www.newsbharati.com/Encyc/2023/6/7/Shivaji-Maharaj-Strategist.html Few important aspects are covered in Part 2 of my article.

Brief History of Marathas.

Organization Shivaji Maharaj Cavalry, Infantry,Artillery,

Maratha Weapons

Growth of Shivaji Maharaj Army,

Shivaji’s Army administration

Forts As Impregnable Defences 

Brief History of Marathas

Marathas were Sub sect of Hindu community ,stout fighters of Chalukya king in 7th century c.e . Maratha dynasties of ancient pre Muslim period were Chalukyas (500 c.e. to 750c.e.), Rashtrakutas (750 c.e. to 978 c.e. Yadavas or Jadhavs (1175 c.e. to 1318 c.e.). Marathas first clash with Muslims came in 1314 c.e under Ramdev Rai Yadav ruler Devagiri(Daulatabad) lost to invaders and became mercenaries of Muslim overlords.

Prior to Shivaji Maharaj ,Marathas were mercenaries and revenue collectors of Muslim rulers with shifting loyalty. Shivaji Maharaj under influence of his mother from the Yadav clan became first Hindu to openly revolt and defy Muslim rule .Shivaji Maharaj defied Adilshah rulers of Bijapur and Mughul ruler Auranzeb by capturing number of forts using stealth and guerrilla tactics. After large number of skirmishes ,gurreila warfare ,victories ,treaties and , escapes ,Shivaji Maharaj was crowned king of Marathas on 6th of june 1674.

 Organization Shivaji Maharaj Cavalry, Infantry, Artillery 

25 horsemen were commanded by Havaldar.5 Havaldars came under Jumledar.10 Jumledar came under a Hazari. 5 Hazari came under Pach Hazari. 5 Panch Hazari came under Sarnaubat.

Infantry also was similarly organized.10 soldiers were commanded by Naik, 5 Naiks under Havaldar & similar organization as in cavalry thereafter.

The army was well organized- planning was done minutely, could form various battle formations,was flexible, plans were executed audaciously. Units were permanent, and had better team work, 

As the warfare was of extreme mobility, artillery was not considered as an important arm.Also Marathas lacked the facilities for the production of artillery. Principal source of equipment remained European settlements, especially the French. The French had supplied Shivaji Maharaj with 88 guns ,3000 mound of ammunition . The British also have had supplied him with some guns. 

Weapons used by his Army were mostly made locally but there are reports of some highly skillful local blacksmiths being used to manufacture higher quality of arms.

Maratha Weapons

The terrain also made them use light weaponary .Ofcourse, with an increase in their military power, their gureilla style often made way certain amount of sophistication in their weaponry.

 Some of the weapons traditionally used by the Marathas were the variants of swords like the talwaar, the firangi, the khandaa, the paataa .

Variety of daggers like the kataar, the shamsher,the jaambiya .

the bhaalaa (spear), dhanushya baan (bow and arrows), kurhaad( battle axe), parshu (axe variant), gadaa / gurz (mace) or unique weapons like the waagh nakh (tiger claws). 

Weapons modified to suit the Maratha style of martial art

 These weapons were made as per the designs borrowed from the Rajputs, the Mughals,the Persians,the Afghans and the Europeans. But were often modified to suit the Maratha style of martial art. 

Lohar Khana to manufacture weapons was established in Pune under Bhima Lohar whose outstanding manufacturing skills were recognised by Shivaji Maharaj.

https://www.newsbharati.com/Encyc/2023/6/7/Shivaji-Maharaj-Strategist.html