Shiledar

Shiledar was a term used for a soldier's position, particularly in India's Maratha Empire (1630–1818), and especially during the reign of king Shivaji. The word shiledar means "a soldier who possesses his own sword and horse for taking active part in combat/war".

During Shivaji's Maratha rule, the Maratha army possessed many brave shiledars who mainly came from the "96 clans" of the Maratha clan system. Due to their prominence they used to play active parts in the war held between Marathas and their enemies.

These shiledar, according to their deeds were identified as Subhedar, Panch Hajari, Havaldar etc.

References

2005 Navneet General Knowledge. Editor - Madhusudan M. Pendase. Navneet Publications India LTD, Mumbai. (Marathi)
Kṛishṇarāu Arjuna Keḷūskar, Nilakantha Sadāsiva Takakhāv. The Life of Shivaji Maharaj: Founder of the Maratha Empire. Manoranjan Press, 1921

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