Adnyapatra or Ajnapatra’, is a royal edict on the principles
of Maratha policy authored by Ramchandra Pant Amatya, a diplomat and warrior of
the Maratha Empire, with intention to guide Shivaji’s grandson Sambhaji II. It
is supposed to be the formal documentation of Shivaji’s ideals, principles and
policies of state administration. Ramchandra Pant Amatya, served on the Council
of 8 (Ashta Pradhan) as the Finance Minister (Amatya) to Emperor (Chhatrapati)
Shivaji dating from 1674 to 1680. He then served as the Imperial Regent
(Hukumat Panah) to four later emperors, namely Sambhaji, Rajaram, Shivaji II
and Sambhaji II.
After demise of Sambhaji
Maharaj, the Maratha Swarajya kingdom was in great trouble. Aurangjeb had taken
a vow to defeat the Maratha empire. Marathas were the last force of any
substance to stop Aurangzeb in his mission. Ramchandra Pant Amatya alongwith Santaji
Ghorpade, Dhanaji Jadhav, Parshurampant Pant-Pratinidhi were instrumental in
Maratha struggle for freedom. They along with thousands of soldiers
loyal and dedicated to the throne resolved to defend their Empire. They fought
with Aurangjeb for seven years continuously (1700 to 1707). Eventually
Aurangjeb admitted defeat and subsequently died in Ahmednagar.
Some of the gems from Adnyapatra-
-Adjoining enemy is a disease in stomach-They are the means
of fulfilling the evil designs of bigger rival. To neglect an enemy of such
type, to put off till tomorrow what can be achieved today would be very
improper. (How long we tolerated state like Pakistan?)
-One should not be contented only with work done, or with
the praise-worthiness of the actions performed, further work would suffer. New achievements
should always be attempted.
-Enemy should not be given any respite till it is finished
off.
-Holding universal compassion towards the blind, diseased,
state should provide for their livelihood,
- Finance is the life of the state. Merchants are the cause
of the prosperity of the kingdom. They should be respected and given space for
business.
-Royal troops should paid salary from royal treasury, it
should be 24/7 standing army, no place of mercenaries in royal troops, maintenance
of royal troops most important administrative work of king.
- About foreign
traders/merchants (British, French, Portuguese) “But they are not
like other merchants. Their masters, every one of them, are ruling kings. By
their orders and under their control these people come to trade in these
provinces. How can it happen that rulers have no greed for territories? These
hat-wearers have full ambition to enter into these provinces to increase their territories and to establish
their own opinions ( religion). They should not be given land on shores of the
sea because of their naval supremacy. How prophetic??
About Importance of
navy: Particular territory should be
apportioned for maintenance of navy, trade at ports should not be taxed for
this as it would be detrimental to financial health of state. Regular fleet
should be built-up, regular patrolling of sea to check foreign intrusion. Very
rare in Indian history to understand the importance of Navy for protection of India.
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