पानीपत १७६१ (मराठा साम्राज्य एवं पानीपत महायुद्ध इतिहास)

on one person but to award the same in various parts of the country, led to such internecine rivalries, quarrels, wars, peculation etc., that the administration became weak and inefficient everywhere, as was found to his cost by Sadashiv rao Bhau in his Panipat campaign. Historians know the part played by con- servative tradition in the growth of England. Shivaji had laid down the foun- dation of a modern state and its healthy tradition was still in an embryonic state. It was a new thing understood by but few, and was almost stifled dur- ing the calamitous days of Mughal invasion. Still it was known to men like Ramachandrapant Amatya clinging to the de facto rulership. But the new Peshwa of Shahu knew little of that tradition and cared less. His adoption of the line of least resistance in the interest of his master began a new chapter in Maratha history, but it also submerged Shivaji's independent, modern and progressive state.

Balaji's two sons Bajirao and Chimaji were exceptionally clever and valiant. They continued the line laid down by their father and grew strong, almost overbearing, for their weak, stay at home, master. Ostensibly the first ministers of state, they overshadowed Shahu in Indian politics. They chalked out their own policy (in defiance of Shahu's wishes on some occasions), led their own expeditions, defeated and set aside other ministers, in short, began an almost independent central government at Poona in opposition to Shahu's pup- pet court at Satara. Unfortunately they were short lived and could not com- plete their work in their life time. But when they died in 1740, they had created an independent military force under their unitary command, one lakh of Maratha horsemen ready to be led anywhere in India, a force which made history during the next generation under their sons and successors in office.

The third Peshwa Balaji Bajirao alias Nanasaheb, his brother Raghu- nathrao alias Raghoba Dada, and their cousin, Chimaji's son Sadashivrao Bhau, were the three men who made Indian history what it was during 1740- 1761. Their hands were tied to a certain extent till Shahu's death in 1749. But the next dozen years found a free field for their talents as well as pro- pensities. Nanasaheb was more cunning than valiant and he did everything to concentrate power in his hands. He overshadowed and put down his rivals in the Maratha State with the help of his father's independent retainers, Shinde and Holkar, who in course of time went out of the hands of their master. The old king's retainers were either completely eclipsed or found independent spheres for their valour far away from Poona. Raghoba led expeditions to Gujarat, Rajputana, Delhi and the Panjab. Being more valiant than cunning, he mismanaged the Maratha affairs in northern India. Sadashivrao Bhau had to manœuvre for power with his cousin, the Peshwa, for a full dozen years, before he found his way. Thenceforth he managed the civil side in the state and had his say in military matters also, especially in the finance side of ex- peditions. By 1758, he had come to occupy the foremost place in the counsels of the Maratha empire—such as it was.

Ranoji Shinde who was the right hand man of the Peshwa Bajirao in all his dealings, was followed by equally valiant and loyal, though somewhat headstrong and independent minded sons. Malharrao Holkar the left hand man was though equally brave and in addition cunning, quite a different type xxi