We, the Maratha !

WE, THE MARATHA !

WHO ARE THE MARATHAS?

Sturdy, well-built, active, not very handsome, hardy and extremely perseverant.

The average Maratha does not focus on pride and dignity when it comes to work; but upon worldly wisdom and final result.

A Maratha thinks of nothing but the result and cares little for the means if he can attain his objective. For this purpose he will strain his wits, renounce his pleasures and endanger himself; but will never sacrifice his life or even his interest for personal honor.

MARATHA LIFE IS ONLY FOR THE NATION

The Maratha will gladly sacrifice his life, family

and home for the defense of his Nation. The

difference in attitude for personal gain v/s

sacrifice for the Nation is what makes the

Maratha ‘noble in ordinary life’ yet without any

distinguishing traits of ‘honor for the sake of

name and fame’.

LIVE FOR GOD, NATION AND DHARMA.

NEVER UNDER ESTIMATE THE MARATHA –

IT LEADS ONLY TO DEFEAT.

The “Maratha” is a

formidable enemy; with

bold attitude,

indispensible courage,

visionary strategy and

rogue tactics. ‘Sober,

frugal, industrious

cunning, and sincere in

spirit and battle’ defines

the Maratha warrior.

NATURE HAS FOSTERED IN THE MARATHA AN INNATE

LOVE OF INDEPENDENCE THAT MAKES HIM

REBELLIOUS IN SPIRIT.

The combination of courage, cleverness and power of endurance; the ability to plan and execute surprise and unexpected attacks, the skills to extricate himself from tight corners or to vary the tactics to the changing phases of a battle without waiting for guidance from a superior, defines the winning mind-set of the Maratha warrior.

SPIRITUALLY STRONG AND POLITICALLY CUNNING – THIS

DEFINES THE MARATHA

Saints like Eknath, Ramdas, Tukaram Maharaj and philosophers like Waman Pandit, Moropant, Amritraya, Mahipate, and Raghunath Pandit strongly influence the Maratha ethos.

The average Maratha is influenced by the religious, social and literary movement in Maharashtra; infusing deeply the spirit of “equality, fraternity and spiritual liberty” – thereby affecting the moral consciousness, but not the political thought process.

RELIGIOUS VALUES DEFINES POLITICS

The Saints and the Philosophers created the conditions which influenced and ensured the success of the “Maratha political ideal”. The teachings of the saints of Maharashtra gave the Maratha society that mood of moral exaltedness which was essential to the success of “Swarajya”. The strong base of religious revival on which the political movement was designed, had that moral basis without which the very idea of Swarajya would have been a mockery.

THE MORAL INFLUENCE OF SAINTS.

The moral atmosphere created by the saints

made a majority of Marathas of the 17th

century less-selfish and perhaps less-

corrupt. The “Bhakti” movement influenced

the concepts of Nationalism and Democracy

with Equality. The Maratha literature added

its strong influence for national unity.

Devotional songs and moral maxims of the

saints made their way to every home where

Marathi language was read or spoken.

TRAITS OF LEADERSHIP

Maratha leadership has always been blessed with versatile genius, extra-ordinary energy, sharp vigilance, un-exhausting endurance, remarkable strength of ideals and wildly daring ideas that no-one expects till they are deployed in the arena.

Fiery spirits fanned with latent energy of National pride and the ambition to rule the Nation on basis of Democracy, Equality and Pride are the singular motivations towards unending efforts and toil.

VALUES AND ITS EFFECTS

Mutual trust among compatriots, organizing abilities, self- sacrifice, leading without fear or favor and trust in fate and faith; have always allowed the Maratha to perform impossible feats of courage and valor.

Guerilla warfare was perfected by the Marathas since it favored their smaller army and allowed them to dominate the battle against stronger adversaries. Fast, precise, flexible and highly mobile was the “modus operandi” of Maratha fighters.

The success of

Marathas depends on

rapidity, enterprise,

energy, courage and

perseverance in every

situation, bravery,

discipline, calm mind,

spiritual vigor and

resourcefulness of

adapting to changing

circumstances.

"A defeat to the Marathas is like a blow given to water, which offers no resistance to the stroke and retains no impression of its effect”.