Comparison between the Royal and the Peshwa

Period.
The Maratha rise to power was a dramatic turning point that also was a factor that led to the
Decline of the Mughal Empire. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj or Shivaji Bhosle known prior to his
coronation, is recognized as the father of the Maratha nation he captured forts and gained the
charge of Pune. He consolidated the empire now known as the Maratha Empire, His Son
Shambhaji succeeded Shivaji was taken as a prisoner and killed by the Mughal emperor
Aurangzeb. After the civil war that happened between Tarabai the widow of Shivaji's second son
Rajaram and Shahu the son of Shambhaji, the empire was slowly and steadily taken into control
by the Peshwas who were once the prime-ministers under the rule of Shivaji. This also gave way
for the individual confederacies like the Sindhias, the Holkars etc. to gain control of their
individual territories following the example of the Peshwas.

Shivaji has been called the ‘father of the Maratha nation.’ Besides being a great conqueror and a
diplomat, he was a successful administrator. Shivaji was readily accessible to his all subjects. He
was a popular monarch. He kept a close watch on the administrative affairs of the state. All
powers were concentrated on him but he ruled with the advice of his ministers. The common
people regarded him with great devotion. They considered him as their greatest benefactor.
Maratha State appointed Hindus on high post and made Marathi as an official language instead
of Persian. They prepare their own state craft dictionary i.e. ‘Raja Vyakaran Kosh’ for official
use. The Maratha administration can be studied under three heads- Central Administration;
Revenue Administration; and Military Administration.

Central Administration

Shivaji had a council of ministers (Asht Pradhari) to advise him on the matters of the state but he
was not bound by it. He could appoint or dismiss them. This appointment was subject to their
efficiency. The Peshwa was the first among ministers. The word Peshwa stands for leader or
senior one. Excepting the Senapati, all other ministers were Brahmans.All excepting the Pandit
Rao and Nyayadish were expected to command the army whenever needed. It was founded by
Shivaji for the sound system of administration which was greatly inspired from the Deccan style
of administration. Most of the administrative reforms were inspired from Malik Amber reforms
in Ahmednagar.The King was the supreme head of state who was assisted by a group of eight
ministers known as the ‘Ashtapradhan’.

Revenue Administration

Shivaji abolished the Jagirdari System and replaced with Ryotwari System, and changes in the
position of hereditary revenue officials which was popularly known as Deshmukhs, Deshpande,
Patils and Kulkarnis. Shivaji strictly supervised the Mirasdars who had hereditary rights in land.
The revenue system was patterned on the Kathi system of Malik Amber. According to this
system, every piece of land was measured by Rod or Kathi.Chauth and Sardeshmukhi were other
sources of income: Chauth was amounted to 1/4th of the standard which was paid to Marathas as
a safeguard against Shivaji’s forces plundering or raiding Non-Maratha territories. Sardeshmukhi
was an additional levy of 10 percent demanded from areas outside from the kingdom.

Military Administration

Shivaji organised a disciplined and efficient army. The ordinary soldiers were paid in cash, but
big chief and military commander were paid through jagir grants (Saranjam or Mokasa).The
army consists of Infantry i.e. Mavali foot soldiers; Cavalry i.e. Horse riders and equipment
holders; Navy. The army was effective instrument of policies of Marathas State where rapidity of
movement was the most important factors. Only in the rainy season, the army get rested
otherwise rest of the year was engaged in expeditions.Pindaries were allowed to accompany the
army who were allowed to collect “Pal-Patti” which was 25% of war booty.

Conclusion

Maratha’s system of administration was largely borrowed from the administrative practices of
the Deccan states. Hence, the Marathas had important positions among administrative and
military system in the contemporary kingdoms especially Ahmednagar and Bijapur.

Comparing the Administration of the Peshwas:  

 The position of the Peshwa existed in the Asta Pradhan during Shivaji’s reign

 The position made hereditary when Balaji Vihwanath became the Peshwa
  The Peshwas became like the shower head controllers over the confederacy when in
reality the confederacy's were independent

 Huzur Daftar , the Chalte Daftar and the El-beriz daftar important central positions in the
peshwa period

 The Subheaders , Mamlatdars and the Kamavisdar as well as the Patil were the positions
important in the Judicial , revenue and Administration in the town , District and village
Level

 The revenue was basically the main source of income and land was leased to the farmers

 Middle men were removed out as the Patil was responsible for the collections of the
Revenue on the village level

 The Chauth and the Sardeshmukhi

 In the army the Peshwas recruited soldiers of all kinds of religion and caste

 The concept of guerrilla warfare declined

Social condition of the royal period

It is important to study the social conditions during the royal period. Caste didn't play an
important role during this time. Women enjoyed more freedom in the political, social and
economic life. Monogamy was the common form of marriage. Child marriage was also
prevalent. The practice of sati was not unknown but was confined mainly to the higher class.
Prostitution was also prevalent. Adultery was not tolerated and an adulterous woman was forced
to lead a miserable life.

Decline of the royal period

After the decline of the Mughal Empire, the Marathas emerged a great power in India but they
could not succeed in preventing the establishment of British power in India. The important
causes for the downfall were that there was lack of unity among the Maratha chiefs like Holkar,
Scindia and Bhosle. The 3rd battle of Panipat made the way to the rise of the British power and
decline of the Royal period.
Social Conditions during the Peshwa period:

In order to study the social conditions of the Peshwa period it is very important to examine the
role of caste. Caste played a crucial role in legitimising the power, recruitment in administrative
structure, marriage, occupations, etc.  Caste was a detrimental factor for various decisions taken
by the Peshwas as well as for the common man.

It is also important to study condition of woman to study a society. The upper cste women were
restricted to household chores, whereas there have been evidences of women working in farm
and helping their husbands in various small scale jobs. There was presence of prostitution too.
The presentation also focuses on condition of widow and property rights.

Decline of Peshwas:

The causes can broadly be divided under three categories-Economical, Military and Political.

1. Economically Marathas followed Chauth and Sardeshmukhi revenue collection systems.

They were collected on the territories of other empires. This created an unsound
economic system. This also added insecurity in revenue collection.

2. At the military side, British army had artilleries, Navy but Marathas were not having this.
They mostly depended on Guerilla. This didn’t favor several times. It also lacked capable
and strong leader. Post Shivaji, the rulers were less strong. The death of Nana Fadnavis
was also great blow for Peshwas.

3. Also there was mutual non-cooperation among the Peshwa families. Thus it was a divide
house and British attacked it and took the best use of it as well. Marathas also didn’t
leave any positive impact on the acquired territories. This further increased the number of
enemies.

References

 Balkrishna Govind Gokhale,"Poona in the eighteenth century: an urban history", Oxford

University Press, 1988
 A.R Kulkarni, "Medieval Maratha Country", Books & Books publishers, New Delhi,
1996
 B.L.Grover, "A New look at Modern Indian History, S.Chand, New Delhi 1998
 Mehendale, Gajanan Bhaskar: Shivaji: his life and times. Thane. Param Mitra
Publications, 2011 Kulkarni, A.R.: Maharashtra in the age of Shivaji : a study of
economic history. Pune. Diamond Publications, 2008.
 Sarkar, Jadunath: Shivaji and his times. (4th rev. ed.) Calcutta. S.C. Sarkar & Sons Ltd.,
1948
 Kulkarni, A.R.: Maharashtra in the age of Shivaji. Poona. Deshmukh & Co., 1969.
 Kulkarni, A.R.: Medievel Maratha country. New Delhi. Books & Books, 1996
 Bayly, C.A.: An illustrated history of modern India 1600-1947. [ed. by] Bombay. Oxford
University Press, 1991