The Maratha chief Sambhaji, Shivaji’s son and successor, was captured and assassinated by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1689 AD. Aurangzeb, who was personally present in the Deccan ordered the brutal execution. This act, meant to end the Maratha threat, ...
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In the Maratha cavalry, a Havaldar commanded a troop of 25 cavalrymen. This was the basic organizational unit. Five Havaldars were commanded by a Jumledar, demonstrating a highly standardized, decimalized military structure aimed at efficiency, quick deployment and clear lines ...
The Maratha dynasty rulers collected the tax known as ‘Chauth’. This levy, amounting to one-fourth (25%) of the revenue, was demanded from territories outside the Maratha kingdom’s direct control. It was both a major source of income and a de ...
‘Sardeshmukhi’ constituted 10% of the revenue. Shivaji collected this levy based on his claim to be the hereditary Sardeshmukh (chief headman) of the Maratha territory. It was primarily a claim of paramountcy or sovereign right, distinguished from Chauth, which was ...
The permanent cavalry during the Maratha period was called Paga (or Bargir). The horses and equipment were provided by the state and the troopers received fixed pay. The temporary cavalry, who supplied their own horses and were paid less regularly, ...