Rise Of Marathas

Marathas had a very powerful physical geography. Because of the hilly terrain and dense forests, they became daring troops who used guerilla tactics. They constructed numerous forts throughout the mountains. The spread of the Bhakti movement in Maharashtra instilled in them a sense of religious oneness. Tukaram, Ramdas, Vaman Pandit, and Eknath were spiritual leaders who promoted societal unity during their reign. Shahaji Bhonsale and Shivaji, a father-son combination, imparted political unity on the Marathas. In the Deccan Sultanates of Bijapur and Ahmadnagar, Marathas held prominent administrative and military positions. This gives them valuable experience and instruction in kingdom administration.

Shivaji (1627-1680):

Shivaji was born in Shivneri fort in 1627. In the family of father Shahaji Bhonsale and mother Jija Bai. In 1637, he inherited the jagir of Poona from his father. Shivaji took full control of his jagir after his guardian, Dadoji Kondadev, died in 1647. (feudal land grant). He conquered Raigarh, Kondana, and Torna from the ruler of Bijapur even before taking command. He conquered the Mavala region by capturing Javli from the Maratha chief Chanda Rao More. He attacked the Bijapur kingdom in 1657 and took many hill forts in Konkan. Afzal Khan, dispatched by the Sultan of Bijapur, was assassinated by Shivaji in a daring manner.

To put down the Maratha uprising, Aurangzeb dispatched Shaista Khan, the Mughal governor of Deccan, against Shivaji. Shivaji was defeated by him, and Poona was lost. Shivaji avenged the failure of Shaista Khan’s military effort at Poona in 1663 by wounding Khan and killing his son. Khan was summoned by Aurangzeb after his defeat. Shivaji plundered and besieged Surat, the Mughals’ principal port, in 1664. Shivaji besieged Purandar fort, where Shivaji sheltered his family and treasure, and Aurangzeb dispatched Raja Jai Singh of Amber to battle him. As a result, in 1665, they signed the Treaty of Purandar, which stated:

Mughal captures 23 of Shivaji’s 35 forts. Shivaji was given the remaining 12 forts on the condition of duty and loyalty to the Mughal kingdom. Shivaji, on the other hand, allowed certain areas of the Bijapur kingdom to be held. Shivaji’s minor son Sambhaji was granted mansab of 5000 for his request to be exempted from personal service to the Mughals.

In 1666, Shivaji visited Agra but was imprisoned there. He was able to flee and began military training for another four years. In 1670, he plundered Surat for the second time and captured all of his lost lands. Shivaji was crowned at Raigarh in 1674 and given the title Chhatrapati. Then he commanded a Carnatic campaign that took Gingee and Vellore. Shivaji died of sickness and dysentery at the age of 52 after returning from this trip.

Shivaji was aided by the Ashtapradhan Council of Ministers. Each minister, on the other hand, reported directly to Shivaji. The eight ministers were as follows:

Peshwa	Finance and general admin. Later became PM.
Sar-i-naubat	Military commander.
Amatya	Accountant General.
Waqenavis	Intelligence, posts & household affairs.
Sachiv	Correspondence.
Sumanta	Master of ceremonies.
Nyayadhish	Justice.
Panditrao	Charities and religious administration.

Lands used a stick called a Kathi to measure during his time. Shivaji established his own revenue officers, known as karkuns, and limited the powers of existing Deshmukh and Kulkarni. The taxes of Chauth and Sardeshmukhi were collected not in the Maratha kingdom, but in the Mughal empire’s or Deccan sultanates’ neighbouring areas.
a. Chauth – a quarter of land tax paid to the Marathas to avoid raids by the Marathas.
b. Sardeshmukhi – a ten per cent supplementary fee on territories over which the Marathas claimed hereditary claims.

Shivaji was an exceptional military leader. The army has 30000-40000 cavalry under the command of havildars. There were two cavalry divisions: a) bargirs (state-equipped and paid) and b) silahdars (maintained by the nobles). Mavli foot troops were significant in the infantry. He kept a fleet as well.

Forts were vital in military operations, and Shivaji had around 240 forts by the conclusion of his reign. As a precaution against treachery, each fort was placed under the command of three officers of equal rank.
Shivaji’s transformation from Jagirdar to Chhatrapati was breathtaking. He was a true genius and nation-builder who brought the Marathas together and remained a fierce foe of the Mughal empire. 

Successors of Shivaji

After Shivaji’s death, his sons Sambhaji and Rajaram engaged in a succession battle. Sambhaji was victorious, but the Mughals later captured and executed him. Rajaram was crowned king, but the Mughals forced him to flee to the Gingee fort. He passed away at Satara. Rajaram was succeeded by his minor son Shivaji II, who was resented by his mother Tara Bai. Shahu was the next monarch, and Peshwas rose to power during his reign.

Peshwas (1713-1818):

The first Peshwa was Balaji Vishwanath. His term of office lasted from 1713-to 1720. He made the position of Peshwa both powerful and hereditary. He enlisted the help of all Maratha leaders to install Shahu as Maratha emperor.

Baji Rao I (1720-1740):

At the age of 20, Baji Rao, Balaji Vishwanath’s eldest son, replaced him with Peshwa. Maratha power reached its pinnacle under him. He aspired to establish a Hindu-Pad-Padshahi Empire to replace the Mughal Empire. He established the Maratha chiefs’ confederacy system. As a result, numerous Maratha families rose to prominence and established their influence over India.

a. Baroda’s Gaekwad.
c. Nagpur’s Bhonsle
c. The Indore Holkars
d. Scindias in Gwalior, 
e. Poona’s Peshwas 

Balaji Baji Rao (1740-1761):

Balaji Baji Rao became Peshwa after his father, Baji Rao I. Shahu, the Maratha ruler, died in 1749. Balaji Baji Rao imprisoned his nominated successor Ramraja in Satara, and Peshwa took full control of the Maratha kingdom. In 1752, Peshwa agreed to safeguard the Mughal Empire from internal and external foes in exchange for Chauth of the North West provinces and the whole revenue of the Agra and Ajmer provinces.

Thus, when Ahmad Shah Abdali attacked India in 1761, it was the Marathas who were responsible for protecting India. The Marathas were crushed in this fight, and their prestige was shattered. Balaji Baji Rao also died when he learned of the battle’s tragic conclusion. Internal disagreements among the Maratha chiefs damaged the Maratha confederacy after that.

The lack of unity among Maratha chiefs like Holkar, Scindia, and Bhonsle was a key reason for the Marathas’ decline; they focused on raid and plundering rather than attempting to build partnerships and allies (fought alone in the Battle of Panipat). In addition, the British troops and combat skills ultimately triumphed.