Q. With reference to the military administration of the Marathas under Shivaji, consider the following pairs:
Maratha Military TermDesignation/Role
1. PagaPermanent cavalry maintained directly by the state.
2. BargirA soldier who owned his own horse and equipment.
3. SiledarsTroops who were paid a regular salary in cash.
4. HavaldarCommander of 125 cavalry troops.
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
Answer: B
Notes:
Explanation:
- Pair 1: Correct. Paga (or Risala) was the regular, standing army cavalry, directly paid and equipped by the state.
- Pair 2: Incorrect. A Bargir was a soldier supplied with a horse and arms by the state (Paga). The soldier who provided his own horse and equipment was the Siledar (or Silladar).
- Pair 3: Incorrect. Siledars were irregular cavalry and were usually not paid a regular cash salary; they were paid through their war booty or revenue grants (a system Shivaji sought to minimize). Bargirs were the ones paid in cash.
- Pair 4: Correct. The military hierarchy included the Havaldar commanding 125 Bargirs, the Jumledar commanding five Havaldars, and so on.
