The Treaty of Salbai (1783)
The Treaty of Salbai, signed in 1783, marked a significant diplomatic victory for the Marathas. In exchange for peace, the British relinquished all their conquests except Sashti. The treaty also restored Fateh Singh Gaikwad to the Maratha domain and confined Raghunathrao for his involvement in the murder of Narayanrao Peshwa. In return, the Marathas agreed to avoid future involvement with the French.
The First Anglo-Maratha War
The First Anglo-Maratha War, which lasted from 1774 to 1783, saw the Marathas employ cavalry tactics to harass the British and disrupt their logistics. However, the British countered with a scorched-earth policy, devastating the local population and alienating the Marathas from their own people.
Maratha Military Strengths and Weaknesses
The Marathas possessed a formidable weapon in their war-rockets, operated by the non-Maratha Gardis. However, their fighting style differed significantly from the British infantry-artillery system. The British army fought as a unified force, while the Marathas, like other Indian armies, excelled at the unit level but struggled to maintain control during large-scale battles.
British Advantages
The British enjoyed a significant advantage in terms of financial resources, thanks to the vast revenue generated by the Bengal Presidency. In contrast, the Marathas had limited resources in Maharashtra, and the large territories under the king of Kolhapur did not participate in the fighting.
The Importance of Naval Power
The Marathas paid a heavy price for neglecting their navy, which had been destroyed by the British in 1756. Naval power is crucial for controlling trade routes and protecting coastal regions.
Mahadji Shinde's Reforms
Mahadji Shinde recognized the importance of infantry and artillery and established gun and musket factories in Agra, Ujjain, and Mathura. However, he failed to establish institutions for training and studying the art of weapon-making, making his forces overly dependent on European mercenaries.
The Decline of the Peshwa
The rise of Mahadji Shinde marked a decline in the power and importance of the Peshwa. By the early 19th century, the Maratha kingdom had become unrecognizable from the one established by Shivaji. The traditional emphasis on birth and lineage, which Shivaji had strongly disapproved of, had become paramount.
Mahadji Shinde's Military Achievements
Mahadji Shinde raised an efficient artillery force and infantry, becoming the virtual ruler of northern India. As Deputy to the Peshwa, he had the authority to intervene in any part of India, including Bengal. The Rajput rulers were forced to pay taxes to the Marathas, which they resented.
The Battle of Lalsot and Beyond
In the Battle of Lalsot, the combined Rajput forces defeated the Marathas. Mahadji Shinde responded by forming an alliance with the Sikhs and recruited them to his army. With this strengthened force, he defeated the Rajput rulers of Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Jaipur, forcing them to pay taxes to the Marathas.
The Failure to Create an Anti-British Front
The British refused to pay the Marathas their share of the revenues from Bengal. Shinde attempted to form an anti-British alliance but failed due to lack of support.
The Legacy of Mahadji Shinde
Mahadji Shinde, the last great Maratha general, passed away in Poona in 1794. Although he recognized the need to modernize the Maratha armies, his over-reliance on European mercenaries and failure to train Indian soldiers in the European art of war proved to be a significant limitation.
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