Shivaji Maharaj as a Strategist: History of Maratha Armed Forces & Intelligence and relevance today - PART 2

 

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

Statue of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was installed by the Maratha Regiment, near the LOC (Pakistan Border) last year in Kashmir at 14,800 feet above the sea level, making it the tallest place ever place to house a statue. Installation of the statues of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Kashmir – is a significant step towards the establishment of the civilizational identity of the region.Earlier a statue was also installed on the Indo China border ahead of Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh.

 

 

 

 

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 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).