Book Review: "The Legacy of Shivaji The Great: Military Strategy, Naval Supremacy, and the Maratha Empire" by Col Anil Athale

 Col. Anil Athale’s "The Legacy of Shivaji The Great: Military Strategy, Naval Supremacy, and the Maratha Empire" provides an in-depth examination of the Maratha Empire’s rise, its innovative military strategies, and its eventual decline. The book is meticulously researched and offers readers a comprehensive understanding of one of India’s most influential and resilient empires.

The book presents a nuanced and comprehensive analysis of Shivaji's military genius, strategic vision, and administrative acumen, highlighting how his innovations and achievements laid the foundations for the Maratha Empire's rise to power in the Indian subcontinent.

 The book provides a comprehensive analysis of Shivaji's strategic brilliance and his lasting impact on the military, political, and economic landscape of India. It highlights how Shivaji's pioneering approach to warfare and governance contributed to the rise of the Maratha Empire, which would go on to challenge the might of the Mughals and the European colonial powers in the subsequent centuries.

 

These chapters provide a comprehensive view of the Maratha efforts to resist British colonization, emphasizing both their military strategies and the challenges they faced. For a deeper dive into each chapter, the book offers detailed narratives and analyses​ .

Structure and Content

The book begins with a thought-provoking preface that questions why the Marathas, who successfully resisted the Mughals, eventually succumbed to the British. Athale explains that much of the historical record was destroyed, which has led to various distortions. Despite this, he has compiled a detailed account from multiple sources, providing an authentic picture of the Maratha-British struggle.

Preface

In the preface, Col. Anil Athale sets the stage by addressing a critical question: why did the Marathas, who valiantly fought against the Mughals, succumb so tamely to the British? He explains that the historical records of Shivaji's rule were mostly destroyed when the Mughals captured Raigarh in 1689, which has led to many controversies and distortions. Despite these challenges, Athale feels confident that he has provided an authentic picture of the epic struggle between the Anglo-Marathas after nine years of extensive research from multiple sources​

Prologue (Pages 1-12)

The prologue emphasizes that the British acquired India from the Marathas, not the Mughals. For about thirty years (1771-1802), the Marathas ruled significant parts of Central and North India. The prologue highlights lesser-known victories of the Marathas, such as the Battle of Wadgaon and the Maratha conquest of Orissa and parts of Bengal. It also touches upon the socio-cultural impact of prolonged Muslim rule on India and the resilience of the Maratha people under Shivaji's leadership, who warned Aurangzeb about the fierce resistance he would face from the hardy people of Maharashtra​ (eSamskriti)​.

Athale emphasizes that the British acquired India from the Marathas, not the Mughals. This section sets the stage by highlighting the Maratha Empire's significant, yet often overlooked, victories and their dominance in Central and North India during the late 18th century.

The book examines the strategic military and naval accomplishments of Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha Empire, and explores how his innovations and tactics laid the foundation for the Maratha rise to power in 17th century India. It analyzes Shivaji's key battles, his use of guerrilla warfare, cavalry, and naval forces, as well as the administrative and political structures he established to sustain the Maratha Empire.

 

Shivaji's Military Strategy:

 

Shivaji pioneered the use of highly mobile and lightly armored guerrilla forces known as "Shiledar" cavalry, allowing him to outmaneuver and harass the larger Mughal armies.

He emphasized the importance of intelligence gathering, surprise attacks, and strategic mobility over brute force, developing innovative tactics like the "Ganimi Kava" (or deceitful stratagem) to defeat numerically superior opponents.

Shivaji established a strong network of hill forts and defensive positions, using the rugged terrain of the Deccan to his advantage against the Mughals.

He recruited skilled commanders and administrators, fostering a meritocratic system that empowered capable leaders regardless of their social status.

Naval Supremacy:

 

Recognizing the importance of sea power, Shivaji built a formidable navy that challenged the dominance of the Siddis (Abyssinian naval forces) and the European trading companies in the Arabian Sea.

He developed a fleet of fast, maneuverable ships called "Galbat" and "Pal" that could quickly intercept and board enemy vessels.

Shivaji's naval forces successfully raided and disrupted the maritime trade routes of the Mughals and the European powers, undermining their economic and strategic interests.

The Maratha navy also played a crucial role in securing the coastal regions and providing logistical support to Shivaji's land forces.

Maratha Empire Building:

 

Shivaji established a centralized administrative system, with a efficient tax-collection network and a well-organized military command structure.

He introduced progressive socio-economic policies, such as the protection of peasants and the promotion of local industries, which won him the support of the common people.

Shivaji's shrewd political maneuvering, including diplomatic alliances and strategic marriages, helped him navigate the complex power dynamics of 17th century India.

The legacy of Shivaji's military and administrative innovations laid the foundation for the Maratha Empire, which would later emerge as a dominant power in the Indian subcontinent.

 

Shivaji's Military Innovations:

 

Shivaji employed a combined arms approach, using infantry, cavalry, artillery, and elite commando-like forces called "Mavale" to overwhelming effect against the Mughals.

He was an early proponent of "asymmetric warfare", relying on speed, surprise, and maneuverability to offset the Mughals' numerical and technological advantages.

Shivaji's cavalry forces were highly disciplined and trained in lightning-fast raids, ambushes, and hit-and-run tactics that demoralized and exhausted the Mughal armies.

He pioneered the use of light, mobile cannon called "Ganimi Topkhana" that could be rapidly deployed to provide artillery support.

Fortress Network and Guerrilla Tactics:

 

Shivaji built an extensive network of well-fortified hill forts across the Deccan that served as strategic strongholds and supply hubs for his forces.

These forts were designed with innovative features like concealed entrances, secret passages, and impregnable walls that made them difficult to capture.

His guerrilla forces would launch lightning strikes from these forts, ambushing Mughal supply lines and communication routes, before swiftly retreating to the safety of the hills.

This hit-and-run strategy allowed the Marathas to maintain the initiative and wear down the Mughals through a war of attrition.

Naval Capabilities and Maritime Trade:

 

Shivaji recognized the importance of naval power in projecting influence along the coastlines and disrupting the Mughal's maritime trade.

His navy was equipped with fast, maneuverable ships that could outpace and outgun the lumbering vessels of the Siddis and the European trading companies.

Maratha naval forces effectively blockaded and raided key ports, seizing merchant ships and capturing valuable cargoes, which provided critical resources to fund the Maratha war effort.

This naval supremacy allowed Shivaji to threaten the economic interests of the Mughals and the European powers, forcing them to divert resources and attention to the maritime front.

Administrative and Political Acumen:

 

Shivaji established a centralized Maratha administrative system with a sophisticated tax collection network, efficient record-keeping, and a robust intelligence apparatus.

He promoted a meritocratic system that rewarded capable individuals regardless of their social status, fostering a loyal and competent bureaucracy.

Shivaji's shrewd diplomatic maneuvering, including strategic alliances and marriages, allowed him to navigate the complex power dynamics of 17th century India.

By balancing the interests of various stakeholders, including peasants, nobility, and religious groups, Shivaji was able to consolidate his control and build a stable, prosperous Maratha state.

Athale organizes the narrative into two main parts. The first part covers Shivaji’s rise and the Maratha resistance against the Mughals, while the second part delves into the prolonged conflict between the Marathas and the British.