04-19-2006, 12:58 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->I had read somewhere (most likely Dharampal) that marathas hiked the revenue and brought it on par with the mughals. The increased revenues IIRC were for fighting the mlechchas. If someone can post more details on this that would be great. <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yes that is true, the Marathas after Shivaji hiked the revenue especially in parts outside Maharashtra but I do not know how much of it was due to military and other needs, after Shivaji most Maratha rulers lacked the foresight, although they were aware of Hindu suffering, many did not actively try to do something about it. The last great Maratha ruler in my opinion was Peshwa Baji Rao, he was a fully concious Hindu and sent help to Hindus of Bassein to save them from Portuguese deperedations and said several times that "this is the time to drive out the mlecchas" and extended Maratha power up into the North, he was going to oust the Mughal emperor but was restrained by Shiavji's grandson. He earned Marathas the reputation of being defenders of Hindus which was later jeopardised by Maratha depredations (including hiking of revenue to intolerable levels) in other parts including Bengal, they basically ended up as bullies to the Jats of Bharatpur (who also restored Hindu rule under the great Maharaja Surajmal) and Rajputs.
Yes that is true, the Marathas after Shivaji hiked the revenue especially in parts outside Maharashtra but I do not know how much of it was due to military and other needs, after Shivaji most Maratha rulers lacked the foresight, although they were aware of Hindu suffering, many did not actively try to do something about it. The last great Maratha ruler in my opinion was Peshwa Baji Rao, he was a fully concious Hindu and sent help to Hindus of Bassein to save them from Portuguese deperedations and said several times that "this is the time to drive out the mlecchas" and extended Maratha power up into the North, he was going to oust the Mughal emperor but was restrained by Shiavji's grandson. He earned Marathas the reputation of being defenders of Hindus which was later jeopardised by Maratha depredations (including hiking of revenue to intolerable levels) in other parts including Bengal, they basically ended up as bullies to the Jats of Bharatpur (who also restored Hindu rule under the great Maharaja Surajmal) and Rajputs.