With reference to the Maratha military organization, who were the 'Kunbis'?

The correct option is

The peasant-pastoralist groups forming the army's backbone

Explanation

The rise of Maratha power in the 17th century was heavily dependent on the mobilization of local social groups in the Deccan. The Maratha military system was unique in its reliance on a highly mobile, locally recruited workforce rather than foreign mercenaries.

• The principal ministers of the state is incorrect: The principal ministers of the state were organized under the Ashtapradhan Mandal (Council of Eight Ministers), which included positions like the Peshwa (Prime Minister) and Amatya (Finance Minister). These were administrative posts, not a specific social group like the Kunbis.
• The warrior families claiming Rajput descent is incorrect: While elite Maratha families (often referred to as the '96 Kuli Marathas') sometimes claimed Rajput descent to legitimize their status, the term 'Kunbi' specifically referred to the agricultural caste. The elite warrior families were socially distinct from the general mass of Kunbi cultivators, though social mobility between the two groups was possible through military service.
• The peasant-pastoralist groups forming the army's backbone is correct: The Kunbis were the peasant-pastoralist groups of Maharashtra. They were hardy, mobile, and accustomed to the rugged terrain of the Western Ghats. Shivaji Maharaj and later Maratha leaders successfully mobilized these groups to form the backbone of the Maratha army. Their ability to subsist on meager resources and move rapidly made them ideal for the guerrilla warfare tactics (Ganimi Kava) employed against the Mughals.
• The hereditary revenue collectors of the Deccan is incorrect: The hereditary revenue collectors of the Deccan were primarily the Deshmukhs and Deshpandes (at the district or Pargana level) and Patils (at the village level). While these intermediaries were powerful, the Kunbis were the cultivators who worked the land and served as soldiers during war.

Key Takeaway: The Kunbis were the peasant-warrior class that provided the critical manpower for the Maratha military, enabling the high mobility and resilience characteristic of the Maratha light cavalry and infantry.