Write a detailed note on the factors that weakened the Maratha Power at the beginning of the 19th century..
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Answer:
In-the first place it has to be mentioned that the Maratha Power was built up on the personality and abilities of Shivaji. The revival after the Third Battle of Panipath was also due to the personality and talent of Madhab Rao. But there was no well thought out policy or plan in building up the Maratha Power and it was due to this that whenever there was dearth of men of strong personality and talent, the structure of the Maratha Empire began to crumble down.
National unity, uniform and liberal policy, idea of universal welfare, and above all, any policy to turn up succeeding generations of rulers were absent among the Marathas. Naturally this lack of solidarity on the basis of certain basic principles of imperial organisation made them weak and the Marathas could not withstand the onslaught of the English. Sir Jadunath rightly points out that “The Maratha unity was artificial and fortuitous, and therefore uncertain”. It was this basic weakness that stood against the Maratha Power and it did neither acquire real strength nor permanence.
(2) In the second place, Maharashtra is a hilly country, naturally agriculture, trade or industry did not develop there to support the country economically. The Marathas had, therefore, to depend on Chauth, Sardesmukhi and similar other cesses and imposts and depend on the uncertain income derived from these sources. What we understand by national economy or by economic structure of a state was lacking in the Maratha State.
(3) Shivaji had done away with the Jagir system but the system was revived after his death. The system itself was against the interests of the State itself, for the Jagirdars were all interested in their own well-being seldom thinking about the State. To add to this was their mutual rivalry and hostility which made unity of the Marathas difficult and gradually ate into the unity that was built up due to the personality and ability of individual Maratha leaders.
(4) After the death of Madhab Rao the Marathas were caught in the meshes of mutual hostilities and machinations; the result was that the Marathas could not put up that unity, sense of purpose, strength and patriotism which were necessary to meet the English.
(5) The Marathas could not produce leaders like Shivaji, Madhab Rao, Mahadji Scindia, Nana Fadnavis when they had to face a determined enemy like the British. The main weakness of a political system that depends entirely on personal abilities and talent that whenever there is any failure in getting such personalities the state crumbles down. Such was the fate of the Marathas.
The Marathas did not produce any leader to take advantage of the English Policy of non-intervention. They suffered not only in political power but also in economic power, the result whereof was greater disharmony and weakness in the Maratha Confederacy.
(6) The aim of setting up Hindu-Pad-Padshahi was given up and Muslim soldiers were drafted into the Maratha army. The result was that the Hindu national unity and ideal thus were lost. Introduction of mercenaries in the Maratha army led to the loss of the sense of service and sacrifice that held the Maratha army together earlier.
(7) Maratha administration was thoroughly autocratic. It was not based on habitual allegiance of the people. Under Shivaji or Baji Rao, the character and personality of the ruler determined the efficiency and popularity of the rule. But under weaker leaders there was lack of ability to rouse the people to a sense of unity and patriotism which Shivaji or Baji Rao succeeded in doing. With progress of time and growing weakness of administration, only occupation of others’ territories and realisation of Chauth and Sardeshmukhi became the only aim of the Government.
(8) From the early part of the nineteenth century the Marathas gave up their traditional system of guerilla warfare. This was a grave mistake for by guerilla warfare tactics the Marathas had struck terror in the Mughal army, but by giving it up they only paved the path of their defeat.
(9) Lastly, it must be pointed out that the Marathas also failed because their anti-dated and out-mode arms and ammunitions were no match for the more scientific and up-to-date arms and ammunitions of the British forces. It naturally resulted in the defeat of the Marathas and their inability to defend themselves against the English.
The above diverse causes were responsible for the failure of the Marathas to build an empire on the ashes of the Mughal Empire and left the opportunity to the English Trading Company to step into the shoes of the Mughals.
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Answer:
Although the Maratha Power saw a temporary revival yet it was from the defeat at the Third Battle of Panipath (1761) that the decline and fall of the Marathas have to be traced. The Third Maratha War had not only destroyed the solidarity of the Maratha Confederacy but denigrated the position and prestige of the Peshwa.