While the Mughals utilized a standardized “Mansabdari” system to ensure that no official became too powerful in one region, the Marathas embraced a “Confederate” model. Maratha administration relied on the “Saranjam” system, which encouraged regional leaders to build their own administrative and military structures. This high degree of decentralization allowed for rapid grassroots expansion and local resilience. However, it lacked the uniform legal and fiscal coherence of the Mughal state, making the Maratha Empire more of a military superpower and less of a consolidated administrative entity.