Marathis were always an opportunistic and cowardly set of rulers. Take the example of Scindia clan. Scindia ruler of 1857 collaborated with the British to get Jhansi ki Rani killed, who was a fellow Marathi. So much for their patriotism. Another fine example of their patriotism was that they spent most of the energy fighting themselves (Holkars of Indore, Scindias of Gwalior, and Peshwas of Pune, Gaikwads of Baroda) than any foreign power. Thus stories of any bravery or patriotism of Marathis are just an example of modern-day fiction writing. They lost so heavily in Panipat that they ran away to the hills of Uttarakhand where we are now stuck with the Joshis, Babulkars, and Pants. Perhaps, this another brave Maratha Raj Thakerey can settle them near his home.
