The Guerilla warfare for which the Marathas are best known was pioneered by Malik Ambar. Guerilla warfare is a type of warfare fought by irregulars in fast-moving, small-scale actions against orthodox military and police force either independently or in conjunction with a larger political-military strategy.

The Japanese military themselves also used guerrilla warfare during the later part of the Pacific War, when Japan’s resource was already dwindling and the Allies have started invading.

Guerrilla warfare was found to be more effective than traditional techniques, and so Mao created this idea of ‘revolutionary warfare’ that incorporated several stages in which the Communists needed to teach their ideology to the peasants to educate them, gaining their trust and support.

After the death of Aurangzeb, Marathas defeated the Mughals in Delhi and Bhopal, and extended their empire up to Peshawar by 1758….Mughal–Maratha Wars.

Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao sent his cousin Sadashivrao Bhau to repel Abdali which ultimately resulted in the Third Battle of Panipat where Abdali decisively defeated Marathas.

Shivaji fought with 27 enemies including the Mughals, English, Dutch at different places and raised a Naval base in the sea. The impenetrable ‘Janjire-Mehruba’ fort of the Siddis was a big challenge to the ambition of Shivaji who was well aware of the importance of sea-forts.

Land-based last stands

Shivaji decided to put an end to the quarrels between the Watandars of Maval leading to useless waste of money and manpower.