November, 1689 Raigad fell in enemy’s hands, royal family was captured, RajaramMaharaj escaped from Maharashtra and took shelter in Jinji. All the hopes were shattered. It seemed that Marathas had ushered in the darkest era they had ever witnessed. But circumspect politicians and watchful military leaders steeled the drooping hearts.
Ranade Writes “Just when it’s country’s fortune was at the lowest ebb, everything seemed to be lost even beyond hope, these very misfortunes served to rouse the band of patriots who had been trained in ShivajiMaharaj’s school. They resolve to secure their national independence and drive Aurangzeb’s army back to Hindustan.” At the head of this band was RajaramMaharaj who appointed worthy ministers to take the charge of office. Supreme administrator Ramchandra Pant Amatya, skilled politician Shankaraji Narayan Sachiv and invincible military generals Santaji – Dhanaji these people sparked the wave of revenge and scripted golden era in Maratha History.
Ramchandra Pant was a powerful personality due to his stellar reputation. He served Maratha throne ever since ShivajiMaharaj’s reign. After working for 10 years under ShivajiMaharaj, this man of uncommon vision concentrated all his efforts to establish normalcy in Maratha office. RajaramMaharaj had little experience of battlefield and got less exposure of management of internal and external political affairs. But he had got docile temperament and thus encouraged his ministers to take important decision. RamchandraPanta was the most experienced and intelligent of all. Considering his firm grasp over then socio – political situation RajarmaMaharaj conferred upon him the title of Hukumatpanha. He had given an authority to run government in the absence of kingship. This title mad him so powerful that even RajaramMaharaj had to uphold Panta’s decisions. Panta was the brain child of all Maratha expeditions in this period. Solely this statesman devisedthe policies for next decade or two.
Pant was well aware of importance of geopolitics in nation building. This rugged nation could achieve the dream of HindaviSwarajya because sturdy ranges of Sahyadri provided unbreakable protection cover. This geography had dictated strategy over ages. Hence, ShivajiMaharaj made his forts impregnable. “संपूर्णराज्याचे सार ते दुर्ग. गडकोट हेच राज्य. गडकोट म्हणजे राज्यलक्ष्मी. गडकोट म्हणजे प्राणसंरक्षण”. (Fort is the soul of HindaviSwarajya. Forts define our kingdom. They are our national treasure. They act as our protection cover.) Aurangzeb was very well aware of importance of forts, hence he started capturing forts one by one and posed serious challenge to the existence of Swarajya. Bold attacks on various fortsof Maharashtra could see no retaliation. Sinhagad, Purandar, Pratapgad, Torna, Rohida, Lohagad, Prabalgad, Mahuli such valuable forts were captured. Mughals spreaded their tentacles and deployed troops on important spots. Matbarkhan encamped near Kokan, ShekhNijam attacked Panhalgad, ShahjadaAzam launched raids in chakan and surrounding areas, Firojjang eyed at Rajgad and Itikadkhan laid siege to Raigad. RamchandraPanta reacted to this Mughal aggression, “ पोख्तीच्या जमावे स्वारी शिकारी करून जे गड गानिमाने घेतले ते फिरवून हस्तगत करणे. गनिमाची ठाणी जाग जागी असतील ती कुल मारून काढणे. ”
Everyone in Maratha office endorsed Panta’s strategy to recapture forts. Shankaraji Narayan defeated Mughal forces stationed near Sangameshwar, he further annexed Gunvantgad, Sundargad, Danpatan to swarajya. Santaji – Dhanaji, Panta and Shankaraji Narayan fought fierce battle for possession of Pratapgad and thrashed Mughal forces. All though this quadruplet was working above and beyond, this time they needed helping hands rather fighting hands from various pockets of Maharashtra. To rope in new members in this struggle Panta adopted a brilliant methodology.
ShivajiMaharaj dedicated his entire life to generate the sense of nationalism in the heart of vatan loving Marathas. But love for fiefdoms was deep rooted in the cultural bloodstream of Marathas. Hence, Aurangzeb allured Maratha landlords with attractive offers. Many people left Maratha camp and joined hands with Mughals. Pantahad remained strong player in politics over years. At that hour of time he was quite aware that Marathas could notafford shrinking manpower. Although having been groomed under ShivajiMahraj’s guidance, Panta decided to continue the policy of fiefdoms.ShivajiMaharaj completely abolished this system but contemporary socio – political situation was such that Pant had to dissent from Maharaj’s doctrine. Politics is one such game where strategies change, only interest prevails. He announced that ‘Feudals with Aurangzeb if return and be loyal to Maratha throne, recapture forts will be rewarded with fiefdoms’. This strategy attracted wide support. He unified scattered Marathas under one agenda. Unified forces increased Maratha power manifold. The campaign of treachery that Aurangzeb undertook backfired massively.
Jedhe family captured Rohida, KanhojiDeshmukh quashed Mughal forces encamped near Torna. Nagoji Mane, AmrutraoNimbalkar, MakajiDharage who initially indulged in open hobnobbing of Mughals, changed their minds when they realised that pendulum had swung to other extreme. Not only Vatandars but various communities raised in protest. Desais from southern Deccan region rebelled against SambhajiRaje and shook hands with Mughals. When Mughal started showing their true colours these people joined Marathas. Leaders from Koli community took responsibility to annex Purandar to Swarajya. The wave of nationalism truly reached bottoms of demography and margins of geography. Sahyadri which turned out to be a volatile battleground for nefarious activities, soon witnessed unified Maratha retaliation. Panta truly made it a people’s movement. Kusumagraj very well describes this tide of nationalism,
करवतकानास कोणी चालावो पिकावो कोणी शेतमळा, कलम कागदावरी राबवो धरो कुणी हातात तुळा
करात कंकण असो कुणाच्या वा भाळावर गंधटिळा, शिंग मनोर्यावारी वाजता उभी छावणी घरोघरी
रणफंदीचीजात अमुची कोण आम्हा भयभीत करी ||
(Some are artisans, some are farmers, some are bureaucrats and some are traders. All of them are divided by profession but united by nationalism. Thus when trumpets are pealed indicating likely occurrence of war,everyone turned into warrior.)
It was not the case that newly joined band of landlords was hard core supporter of Swarajya. Those were opportunists who bowed in front of those who won. But it was Panta’s political wisdom that he drew policies which converged national interests and self-interest. Panta skilfully streamlined system of governance. He achieved perfect balance between political statesmanship and military leadership. Santaji – Dhanaji were given liberal hand over battlefield. Panta acted as a connecting mechanism between ruler, council of ministers and the people. After the death of SambhajiMaharajSwarajya was thrown into disarray, then Panta brought the situation under control. Swarajya regained its land, its people and more so ever a good governance. Pant extracted best out of everyone’s abilities and moulded Swarajya from scattered elements. Primarily being a diplomat his presence on the battlefield was hardly visible. Yet he was the driving force behind every Maratha expedition. From Vishalgad he used to keep a vigilant eye over Maharashtra.
In post Sambhaji era battlefield expanded over wide area from Nashik to Jinji. Bold military leadership and supreme managerial skills blunted every Mughal aggression. Alamgir’s campaign totally fell flat on its face. Marathas’appetite for rising power was increasing day by day. Muquarrabkhan who arrested Sambhaji was badly defeated on Panhala. Ismailkhan was imprisoned. Mughal giants like Quasimkhan and Himmatkhan were brought on their knees. Zulfikarkhan had to give fight for nine years just for the possession ofJinji. When he captured Jinji,Rajaram escaped. Despite the struggle of 9 years Zulfikarkhan returned with empty hands. Marathas established their hold on almost every fort they lost to Mughals. 1682 – 1699 AlamgirBadshah invested his 18 years to diminish Maratha power. He could not alter our fighting spirit. Marathas continued to give restless nights to enemy forces. Only political leadership should not be credited for this, Maratha from almost every household fought. This unified force acted like a blow to rival power.
When situation in Maharashtra got stabilised, RajaramMaharaj returned from Jinji. After 9 years council of ministers met their master. In the absence of kingship Marathas fought against all odds and stood tall. It was a moment of pride for everyone. Panta told RajaramMaharaj, “स्वामींचे राज्य आजपर्यंत कळेल तसे राखले, आता स्वामींनी बंदोबस्त करावा.” ( In the absence of our ruler we saved nation according to our capacity. Now, Swami, take the charge. ) RajaramMaharaj replied with utmost modesty, “पूर्वी तुम्ही केलेत, पुढेही तुम्हीच करणार.” ( Panta you skilfully managed the system of governance till date, henceforth as well you will be at the helms of affairs.)
RamchandraPanta was a veteran politician who dominated political landscape for more than forty years. He was the youngest minister in the council of ShivajiMaharaj. In the SambhajiMaharaj era he contributed to preserve and expand the boundaries of Swarajya. When RajaramMaharaj ascended the throne, Panta singlehandedly managed the Herculean task of nation building. He played a significant role in the Tarabai’s regime.After Tara Bai,Sambhaji the second was likely to be the next ascendant of the throne. During the same time, ShahuMaharaj returned from Mughal camp after more than 17 years. His arrival turned into fresh uncertainty regarding the next Maratha ruler. Then Panta decided to be loyal with Tarabai. Sambhaji the second suggested Panta to document his years of experience which could give direction to novice ruler.Panta produced words of wisdom in the form of royal edict ‘ Adnyapatra ’ giving guidelines to successor of Maratha throne. Adnyapatra clearly reflects Panta’s keen understanding of political science.Adnyapatra is a detailed document of Maratha state administration. It gives a code of conduct to the rulers to come. Granular analysis of then administration process is done through various chapters. Panta exclusively writes about duties of Maratha king and Pradhan (head of council of ministers). Every social element contributes in nation building hence, Adnyapatra talks about Savkar, Vatandar and their behavioural patterns. He advices ruler what should be his approach towards this sector of society. Forts and mighty navy were the strongholds of Swarajya. ShivajiMaharaj proved that Maratha could conduct their own defence. Thus, Panta gives utmost importance to national security. He gives protocols to be followed in fort administration. Durga this entire chapter includes all aspects such as officer’s appointment on fort, ammunition requirement, availability of rashan as well as construction and architecture of fort. Further he says, ‘ आरमारअवश्यमेव करावे | ’ which highlights the necessity of naval surveillance. Intelligent officers and skilled engineers lead to strong naval defence. Panta advices to pay special attention to maintenance of naval infrastructure and ocean trading.
In a nutshell, Adnyapatra an extraordinary edict gives directive principles of civil and military administration. Panta was a distinguished politician, experienced diplomat and military strategist lived an exemplary life. In one of his excerpts Panta writes “ प्रधान म्हणजे राज्यलक्षण गृहाचे स्तंभ आहेत. “ Panta truly remained like a pillar of Maratha governance for forty years. RamchandraPanta literally walked the way he talked!
Aditi Kajrekar
References: -
1. MarathyancheSwatantryasamar – G.S.Puranik
2. New History of The Marathas – G.S.Sardesai
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