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.
His personal bodyguards were excellent users of traditional Marathas weapons.
Jiva Mahala his bodyguard saved Shivaji Maharaj from a sudden attack from Sayyad Banda during encounter with Afzal Khan.Jiva severed Sayyad Bandas hand with his Dand patta. Baji Prabhu Deshpande also used Dand Patta very effectively while stopping Siddi Johar at Pawankhind.
The Marathas also used weapons like muskets, matchlocks, firangi swords, clubs, bows, spears, daggers, etc. Other commonly used weapons were Dandpatta,Vita,Bothati, Talwar,Bhala, Jambia,( दांडपट्टा, विटा, बोथाटी, तलवार, भाला, जांबिया,) Body armour, helmet Arab swords by the Infantry.
Cavalary used bow and arrows ,spears,Matchlock is a type of firearm wherein the gunpowder is ignited by a burning piece of rope that is touched to the gunpowder by a mechanism that the musketeer activates by pulling a lever or trigger with his finger.
Patta was considered to be a highly effective weapon for infantrymen against heavily armoured cavalry.
Intelligence Gathering was World Class
Intelligence head was Bahirji Jadhav who had developed efficient system of intelligence collection. Shivaji Maharaj considered collecting intelligence as his command task. At times he himself gathered intelligence as against Afzal khan and his Surat raid he acted as Faqir, His sources in Mughal/Adilshahi court worked well. He knew their intentions, movement and battle plans.
Growth Strength of Shivaji Maharaj Army
His army started with 4000 soldiers,which kept on increasing. During middle of his tenure it was 45000, cavalry and 60000 infantry. At the peak it reached a figure of 105 thousand cavalary. His cavalry used local horses who were tough and could operate in the semi mountainous terrain of Sahyadri and they could also live off the land, unlike the cavalry of Mughals which required 5 to 6 kg of ration every day. The cavalry also rode the Bhimthadi horse, which was developed by crossing Arabian and local horse breeds.
He also established many workshops, depots called as Karkhanas and Mahals to store ammunition, taking care of elephants, camels, horses, depots for storing artillery ammunition and weapons, depots for storing tents, medicines, storing water and rations. These were masterpieces of Ordanance management.
His infantry was Swift, tough and capable of moving at fast speed in the mountainous areas.
Many of his soldiers were part time soldiers who were farmers during the cropping season and took to soldiering during campaigning season. This reduced the cost of standing Army tremendously. Maratha soldiers were also hardy and were used to living off the land. In fact there was no maintenance lines or logistics as far as the Maratha Army was concerned. Every common citizen was a soldier, when required and every soldier was also spy who could collect intelligence in his area and keep watch on inimical activities.
In his Kingdom all government officials including soldiers were paid directly by the government either in cash or on the orders of government from the treasury.This was indeed a revolutionary method found nowhere in India.His many ministers included Sarnaubat or commander-in-chief. The well known Sarnaubats include Netaji Palkar, Pratap Rao Gujar and later Hambir Rao Mohite.
Shivaji’s Army administration
Shivaji’s army organisation was very efficient. His army was very patriotic, well trained, efficient and extremely mobile.Shivaji introduced the following reforms in the army:
He maintained a regular army. In the traditional military organisation, the soldiers served army for six months and thereafter, they worked in their fields. Now the soldiers were to serve around the year.He inspired the soldiers with patriotism.He recruited the soldiers on merit.He introduced the system of branding the horses and keeping the identification of the soldiers.He enforced strict discipline.He trained his soldiers in the guerilla warfare.
Forts As Impregnable Defences
Forts played a significant role both in defence and offence in the 17th century India. Should an invading Army march ahead without first gaining control of a fort on the route or in the proximity, it was taking great risk of letting the Marathas attack and disrupt its lines of communication and supplies.
If Mughals were intending to prosecute a protracted campaign, they had to neutralize the forts especially the large ones on the route.For that they had to lay siege to the fort and capture them. While such thing could be done if there is only one or two important forts but the challenge arose when the number was more and the Mughal army had to be divided into several small parts to lay a siege to these forts and would be exposed to attack in detail .On the other hand laying a siege and awaiting capitulation would slow down the advance, giving Maratha time to prepare for the campaign. Thus the forts facilitated in slowing down the advance of the invading Mughal Armies.
The Forts performed the most important job of keeping surveillance over the area around and acted as impregnable diffences when the enemy attacked. They acted as firm bases for the cavalry and the infantry to carry on attacks against the advancing Mughal Army.Most forts had many secret ways out which help the Maratha army to attack the Mughals from different and unexpected directions. Forts helped Shivaji Maharaj to alternate between offensive and defensive operations. They were tactical Masterpiece of defences .The forts had to be captured many times as they blocked the axis of maintenance. They acted as line of defences against the invading Armies.
Shivaji Maharaj was very keen on acquiring, building,& repairing forts. He captured them by surprise attacks.(attack on Kondana fort).He used the forts in involving Mughals in siege warfare which tired them out.(siege of Purander fort).He deceived the enemy by escaping from Panhala fort to Vishalgad.
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