Many times, because the Peshwas were busy in bigger external activities it would cause inconvenience to Shahu, and his problems would become unbearable to others in his company. The below letter by Tarabai is an example, “Matushree Aaisaheb (Tarabai) has ordered Bajirao Pandit Pradhan. We desire that you should come here, and our son (Shahu), and you discuss together, act towards the expansion of the kingdom, get orders issued as per your convenience. But your visit would occur after much time, and he has reached the limits of his endurance. Therefore, by ensuring his satisfaction, running the whole administration yourself is appropriate for you. Son does not pay anybody else any attention apart from you. You too should not increase suspicion on both sides. What more to write in detail (19 April 1739).”
Once the Peshwas began working with authority, the work being performed by other Pradhans did not remain that much important. Sumant was the one looking after external affairs. Senapati was the one engaging in warfare. But the Peshwa himself began acting as the Senapati, and appointing his own independent emissaries at external courts, and began dealing with the external states through his own orders. Due to this, the previous Ashtapradhan (Council of eight ministers) system was automatically rendered useless. It was anyways in decline at the time of Tarabai.
A servant who would keep troubling his master about what he should do, and how to do it, was of no use. Such type of letters from the Pratinidhi are often visible, which are conspicuously absent from Bajirao. The following letter from the Pratinidhi is a good example, “The Swami’s whole force lifted camp and left. Everybody remains hungry for want of money. Hearing this, the servant is pained a lot. It is a very difficult situation. Money is nowhere to be found, neither are there any loans available. We are sending fifty gold coins for your service.” Many times, the incessant complaints from the Sardars would come to a head, that people would not last in their forces; nobody would serve wholeheartedly; they would simply desert in emergency situations; they would get up and leave; then the Sardars had to grovel in front of them requesting them to stay back. This was the reason for Shahu to favour Bajirao so much. Shahu tested everybody under him, and only after that trusted Bajirao completely.
Bajirao and Chimaji implemented the standard Maratha campaign policy, wherein they would first establish their authority and terror through their own prowess, or at times using force; would render the region desolate; after that, displaying concern about industry, artisanship, people’s welfare, stabilizing the region; beginning enterprises like moneylending and through them acquiring kingdom and money; in Malwa, Bundelkhand etc. provinces.
When Bajirao’s name and fame spread all over the country, many people from the Nizam’s or other external courts became eager to serve him. In those times, enticing servants of other powers and aligning them to our own cause had become a commonly deployed tactic. Such competition would be constantly going on between Shahu and Kolhapur’s Sambhaji II. “When the revered Mother (Bajirao’s mother, Radhabai) went for pilgrimage, Sawai Jaisingh gave his forces to accompany her. In it, Dileep Singh was at the forefront, and led one-hundred-and-fifty cavalrymen. He is very clever and strong. He intends to send his son along with one-hundred to a hundred-and-fifty Rauts in Rau Swami’s service. If you order, they will bring their forces.” This was a letter dated 5 May 1737 written by Vyankaji Ram to Bajirao. This shows that even the people in the north had begun feeling like serving the Peshwas.
Even though Bajirao did not show any mercy in punishing the guilty, he would extremely religiously provide profuse encouragement to appreciate people serving under him, and take good care of all under him. There are many documents available which contain such encouragement. One sample is as follows. Bajirao wrote to Mahipatrao Shinde, “You have written your intent, which we understood. Whatever Trimbak Gopal relates to you, consider them our own utterances, act accordingly, and save the day. Whatever is the situation, you already understand. In such a situation, defeating the cruel, and acquiring name for ourselves, is the right thing to do, but you already understand this well. Your father has toiled hard for the kingdom and achieved great fame. After him, if you too hold your loyalty and perform great deeds, then it would be beneficial for you. Maintain your army well, break the teeth of your enemies, and write home satisfying news regularly. We will not block your progress.”
The Peshwas also employed Mahars and Mangs in the infantry, and would encourage all the castes equally. Many specific men like Arabs, Kolis, Mavalas, Rangdas (Rajputs), sailors, gunners were needed for many specific tasks. And they were not always available to hand in times of need. The task of maintaining a well-appointed army was always difficult. Nowadays, the army remains in control through well-laid rules. This was not the case during the time of Maratha Confederacy. Due to this, many times there were incidents of defeat at the crunch time.
To be continued…
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