हे पान प्रमाणित केलेले आहे.
९
अशा आणीबाणीच्या प्रसंगीं आपल्या थोर घराण्याचा लौकिक व राज्य हीं रक्षण करण्याकरितां रणामध्ये सैन्याचे आधिपत्यही स्वतः स्वीकारिले पाहिजे." भीमाबाई घोड्यावर फार डौलदार रीतीनें बसत असे, आणि तिची भाला फेकण्याची चतुराई इतर लोकांस क्वचितच साधत असे. खानदानीच्या घराण्यांतील मराठे स्त्रिया बहुधा रेखल्याप्रमाणें सुंदर नसतात; परंतु त्यांचा चेहरा गंभीर असून त्यांच्या मुद्रेवर तेजस्विता आणि हुषारी चांगली प्रगट होते. वहुतकरून सर्व मराठे स्त्रियांनीं, ज्या ज्या वेळीं प्रसंग प्राप्त झाला, त्या त्या वेळीं आपली कार्यक्षमता आणि धैर्यशीलता उत्तम प्रकारे व्यक्त केली आहे. एवढेच नव्हे, तर त्यांपैकीं काहींनीं आपला बुद्धिप्रभावहीं लोकविश्रुत केला आहे१"[१] . ह्या वर्णनावरून मराठे स्त्रियांविषयीं एकंदरीत
- ↑ 1 "The females both of the Brahmin and Shudra Mahrattas have, generally speaking, when their husbands are Princes or Chiefs, great influence, and mix, not only by their power over individuals, but sometimes, as has been shown, personally in affairs of the State. If married to men of rank, they have usually a distinct provision and estate of their own; enjoy as much liberty as they can desire; seldom, if ever, wear a veil; and give feasts and entertainments on births and marriages, and on particular anniversaries. The power which the Mahratta ladies of the families of Scindia, Holkar, and the Puwar enjoy, has been described. They have always had great influence in their secret councils; and usage has latterly given them a considerable and increased share in the Government: and in some cases they have been the acknowledged heads. They are usually instructed in reading, working Arithmetic. The management of the horse always constitutes part of their education, which is directed to qualify them for the duties to which their condition makes them liable to be called. (In a long conference I had with Bheemabai, the daughter of Jeswuntrao Holkar, she expatiated with much
