John Briggs in Maharashtra

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About the Author Dr. Arvind Deshpande (b. 1937) is Reader in History at the University of Poona, Pune. He did his graduation from University of Bombay, Bombay and his Ph.D. from University of Poona, Pune. Dr. Deshpande has visited Nagoya University, Japan, as an Exchange Scholar in 1975 and Lawrence University. USA as Visiting Scholar in 1983. He is a member of Indian Historical Records Commission. He has written extensively both in English and Marathi.

Introduction The conquest of the Maratha country was, perhaps, the greatest military achievement of the British in India. Hitherto, their conquests were preceded by diplomatic efforts and, were, in the final analysis, results of these efforts. Nowhere was conquest preceded by so violent a rupture as it happened in Maharashtra. The consequences, therefore, were bound to be of a larger and wider magnitude. It was only in Maharashtra that they had overthrown the ruling authority in a single, though long- drawn, campaign carried out over an extensive area. Sir John Malcolm claims that ".... we were compelled, by circumstances beyond our control, to pursue an onward course, and in spite of our wishes and resolutions we have been carried forward to supreme rule...." Be as it may, the fact remains that it was in Maharashtra that the British were confronted, for the first time on so large a scale, with the problem of administering a conquered empire. In December 1817, the Government of India had decided to annex the Maratha territories administered by the Peshwa and that the Peshwa was to be deposed. For this purpose, the territories conquered from the Peshwa were formed into an independent charge under the authority of Chief Commissioner. Mountstuart Elphinstone, who was named to this office by the Governor-General in Council, was no stranger to Maharashtra In 1801, he had been appointed as an Assistant to the Resident at Pune, later on, in 1803, he had served General Wellesley 'as a sort of political assistant' and finally in 1811, he was appointed as the Resident at Pune. He had been instru- mental in bringing about the treaty of 1817, and on the whole, seems to have been the person most responsible for the downfall of the Maratha Empire. His knowledge, not only of the Maratha polity, but also of the people and their customs, was undoubtedly very keen and profound, as can be seen from his various letters as well as from his Report that he wrote as the Resident. On all hands it was agreed that he was the most suitable person to hold this charge.

The task before Elphinstone was undoubtedly a gigantic one. In the final analysis it could be reduced to three main problems. Firstly, to establish the Britiah authority over a people, who for the past century and a half had been politically independent, and for almost one century the most dominant power in India. Secondly, to win the confidence of the people and thirdly, to avoid any rupture of the peace. So great was Elphinstone's concern with the problem of administering the Mahrathas, that he postponed the declaration of the British intention of assuming the government of the Peshwa's territory, d.cided upon in December, 1817, till February 20, 1818, when a large force under Gen. Pritzler came to Pune and besieged Sinhagad. This he did because, 'in the native country of Marhattas, where I believe a national feeling still exists sufficient to prevent the people from assisting a foreign conqueror'.8 As for the introduction of British rule in Maharashtra, Elphinstone showed singular sagacity. He was a stateman, and he did 'hesitate to affect by forcible means, objects which are most safely and permanently secured by the slower process of moral persuation and political management'. He knew that he had to win the confidence of the people, and to do that he must preserve the constitution of the country as intact as possible. 'It is, however, to be remembered that even just government will not be a blessing if at variance with the habits and character of the people But Elphinstone did not believe that the Maratha 10 government was unjust or intrinsically bad. 'It is of vast importance', he wrote to the Governor-General, 'to ascertain the causes that counter-acted the corruption and relaxation of the police and which kept this country in a state superior to our oldest possessions, amidst all the abuses and oppressions of a Native Government'." The change of government in itself was a great event. Elphinstone was aware of the fact that the conquest 'was so great and radical an innovation that there is scarcely any institution in the country into which it does not necessarily introduce great changes." These changes need not be all beneficial. In fact, the introduction of the foreign government must bring in its wake 'evils from which this country has hitherto been exempt.

The whole spirit of the native State was that the form of the government was highly personalized. People looked upto persons for protection rather than to a system.14 It was precisely because of this that Elphinstone was skeptical whether the British would be able to maintain the form of the old government, though he certainly was keen on retaining the officials of the old government.15 Apart from its political consequences, it was not felt necessary to do away completely with the old system Elphinstone saw and recongnized merit in it. 'The present system is probably not bad in itself as the country has prospered under it'.16