Shall we ostrich-like bury our head and ignore this original contemporary material in the Marathi language and base our conclusions on writings. of distant British and Dutch merchants whose trade was thrown in confusion by Shivaji's revolt for the Liberation of his homeland. or on the Muslim chronicles which breathe antipathy to the Hindu rebels in every sentence? Vincent Smith and his followers have given a warped view of Maratha administration as it obtained in the homeland. The time has come to challenge the Vincent Smith School postulates and cultivate a correct perspective.
The sources on Maratha history supplemented by Peshwa Diaries' and the selections from the Peshwa daftar has been extensively used by
Understanding Maratha History Sources and Historians
The provided passage emphasizes the importance of consulting original, contemporary materials in the Marathi language for studying Maratha history, rather than solely relying on potentially biased accounts from foreign merchants or hostile chronicles. It specifically highlights the need to challenge perspectives like those of the "Vincent Smith School" which might offer a "warped view" of Maratha administration.
To gain a correct perspective on Maratha history, especially concerning figures like Shivaji and the administration in the homeland, historians need to delve into primary sources created within the Maratha kingdom itself.
The passage concludes by stating that certain sources on Maratha history, particularly the 'Peshwa Diaries' and 'selections from the Peshwa daftar', have been extensively used by specific historians.
Key Sources Mentioned
- Peshwa Diaries: These are records maintained during the period of Peshwa rule, containing details about administration, revenue, military matters, and social life.
- Selections from the Peshwa daftar: The Peshwa daftar is a vast collection of state papers, documents, and records from the Peshwa period. Selections from this collection provide invaluable insights into the functioning of the Maratha state.
Using these indigenous records is crucial for constructing an accurate and detailed narrative of Maratha history from the perspective of the people who lived it, countering potentially biased external viewpoints.
Historians and the Use of Sources
Historians who have dedicated their work to studying the Maratha period extensively utilized these primary Maratha sources. The question asks who has extensively used the 'Peshwa Diaries' and 'selections from the Peshwa daftar'.
Among the options provided, G.S. Sardesai is a renowned historian known for his comprehensive multi-volume work on the history of the Marathas. His research was heavily based on original Marathi documents, including the extensive records found in the Peshwa Daftar. Wad likely refers to Thomas Mendenhall Wad, who also worked on compiling and publishing selections from the Peshwa Daftar, making these crucial records accessible to scholars. Their joint or individual work significantly contributed to understanding the Maratha state through its own records.
Therefore, the historians who extensively used the sources on Maratha history, supplemented by 'Peshwa Diaries' and 'selections from the Peshwa daftar', are G.S. Sardesai and Wad.
Conclusion on Source Utilization
The emphasis on using original sources like the Peshwa records by historians such as G.S. Sardesai and Wad aligns perfectly with the passage's argument against relying solely on external, potentially biased accounts. Their work exemplifies the approach needed to cultivate a "correct perspective" on Maratha administration and history.
| Source Type | Examples | Perspective/Value |
|---|---|---|
| Original Maratha Material | Peshwa Diaries, Peshwa Daftar, Bakhars (chronicles) | Provides internal view, details on administration, society, military; crucial for 'correct perspective'. |
| External Accounts | British/Dutch merchant writings, Muslim chronicles | Provide external view, trade impact, foreign relations; often biased due to conflict or differing viewpoints. |
Revision Table: Key Concepts in Maratha History Studies
| Concept | Description | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Sources | Original documents from the period being studied (e.g., Peshwa Diaries, state papers). | Essential for accurate, detailed historical reconstruction free from later interpretations or biases. |
| Secondary Sources | Works by historians analyzing primary sources. | Provide interpretations, narratives, and syntheses of historical events. |
| Peshwa Daftar | Archives containing official records of the Peshwas who were the de facto rulers of the Maratha Empire after Shivaji. | A treasure trove of information on Maratha administration, economy, military, and society. |
| Vincent Smith School | Refers to historical interpretations, often associated with early British historians like Vincent A. Smith, which might be seen as reflecting colonial viewpoints or biases. | Highlighted in the passage as needing to be challenged with evidence from indigenous sources. |
Additional Information: G.S. Sardesai's Contribution
Govind Sakharam Sardesai (1864-1959) was a prominent Indian historian, often called the 'Dean' of Maratha history. He devoted his life to collecting, editing, and publishing Maratha historical records and writing a comprehensive history. His most famous work is the multi-volume 'New History of the Marathas'. He extensively used the records from the Peshwa Daftar, meticulously going through lakhs of documents. His work significantly contributed to establishing a narrative of Maratha history based on primary sources from within the Maratha state itself, offering a counterbalance to interpretations based solely on external or colonial records. His collaboration with scholars like Wad in making the Peshwa records available was also crucial for future research.
Important Questions from Maratha Confederacy
In which year was the third Battle of Panipat fought?
Match List - I with List - II taking assistance of the codes given below :
List - I
(Treaties with Marathas)List - II
(Years)1. Treaty of Saibai a. 1782 2. Treaty of Bassein b. 1802 3. Treaty of Surji Anjangoan c. 1803 4. Treaty of Rajpurghat d. 1805 Which treaty was signed as a result of the Third Anglo-Maratha War between the British and the Holkar chief in 1818?
Arrange the following events chronologically starting from the earliest
(A) Treaty of Surat
(B) Convention of Wadgaon
(C) Treaty of Mangalore
(D) Treaty of Purandhar
(E) Treaty of Salbai
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Of the following, who observed with a bias that "Marathas failed to rise above the level of plunderers"
