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Ayushree

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, ...

Ayushree

All of the options are true regarding Shivaji’s land revenue system. He set the initial tax at 33%, later raising it to 40%. He opposed intermediaries like Zamindars and adopted the Ryotwari system (direct collection from the cultivators). He also ...

Ayushree

In Shivaji’s Ashtapradhan, the ‘Sar-e-Naubat’ (also Senapati) meant the Commander-in-Chief. He was responsible for the recruitment, discipline and organization of the Maratha army. Critically, the Sar-e-Naubat was primarily a military officer and had no civil authority, ensuring military power remained ...

Ayushree

The Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb consistently referred to Shivaji using derogatory terms like ‘mountain rat’ (pahari chuha) and a ‘daring bandit’. These terms reflected the Mughal court’s frustration with Shivaji’s successful guerrilla tactics and his ability to repeatedly evade capture, undermine ...

Ayushree

Shivaji’s last major military campaign was the Karnataka campaign (1677–1678). This campaign was highly successful, bringing significant territories in the south (including Jinji and Vellore) under Maratha control, extending the state’s reach to the east coast and providing immense wealth, ...