Marathas
Overview
The Maratha Empire represents one of the most significant indigenous powers that challenged and eventually replaced Mughal hegemony in the Indian subcontinent. For TNPSC Group II/IIA, this topic carries substantial weightage as it bridges medieval and modern Indian history, connecting to later topics like the British conquest and Indian National Movement.
Students must understand three distinct phases: Shivaji's foundation-building (1630–1680), the Peshwa era of expansion (1713–1761), and the subsequent decline leading to British dominance. Questions typically focus on Shivaji's administration, major battles, Peshwa contributions, and reasons for Maratha decline. The Third Battle of Panipat (1761) is a perennial favourite in competitive exams.
Key Concepts
- Shivaji's guerrilla warfare (Ganimi Kava): Shivaji pioneered hit-and-run tactics suited to the Deccan terrain, avoiding pitched battles against larger Mughal forces and instead targeting supply lines and isolated outposts.
- Swarajya concept: Shivaji established "Hindavi Swarajya" (self-rule of the people), which was not merely Hindu rule but an independent regional state challenging Mughal-Deccani Sultanate dominance.
- Ashtapradhan (Council of Eight Ministers): Shivaji's administrative system divided responsibilities among eight ministers, though it was not a cabinet system—each minister reported directly to the king.
- Chauth and Sardeshmukhi: These two taxes (25% and 10% respectively) levied on territories not directly under Maratha rule became the financial backbone of expansion but also created resentment.
- Peshwa dominance: After 1713, the Peshwas (originally just Prime Ministers) became hereditary rulers while Chhatrapatis became figureheads, shifting power from Satara to Pune.
- Maratha Confederacy: By mid-18th century, the empire became a loose confederation of five major chiefs—Peshwa (Pune), Gaekwad (Baroda), Holkar (Indore), Scindia (Gwalior), and Bhonsle (Nagpur).
- Third Battle of Panipat (1761): The catastrophic defeat against Ahmad Shah Abdali ended Maratha dreams of all-India dominance and exposed fatal weaknesses in confederate unity.
Key Facts
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Shivaji's birth | 1630, Shivneri Fort (Junnar, Maharashtra) |
| Coronation | 1674, Raigad Fort; assumed title "Chhatrapati" |
| Shivaji's death | 1680, Raigad |
| First Peshwa | Balaji Vishwanath (1713–1720) |
| Greatest Peshwa | Baji Rao I (1720–1740); never lost a battle |
| Panipat III | 14 January 1761; Marathas vs Ahmad Shah Abdali |
| Anglo-Maratha Wars | First (1775–82), Second (1803–05), Third (1817–18) |
| Final annexation | 1818; Peshwa Baji Rao II surrendered to British |
Shivaji's Major Campaigns:
- Capture of Torna Fort (1646) — first conquest at age 16
- Treaty of Purandar (1665) — ceded 23 forts to Mughals under Jai Singh
- Escape from Agra (1666) — legendary escape from Aurangzeb's custody
- Sack of Surat (1664, 1670) — raided the rich Mughal port twice
Ashtapradhan Ministers:
- Peshwa — Prime Minister, general administration
- Amatya/Mazumdar — Finance Minister
- Sachiv — Correspondence
- Mantri — Intelligence/Palace affairs
- Senapati — Military commander
- Sumant — Foreign affairs
- Nyayadhish — Justice
- Panditrao — Religious affairs
Worked Examples
Example 1: Identifying the correct sequence
Question: Arrange the following Peshwas in chronological order:
- Balaji Baji Rao
- Baji Rao I
- Balaji Vishwanath
- Madhav Rao I
Solution:
- Step 1: Recall Balaji Vishwanath was the first hereditary Peshwa (1713–1720)
- Step 2: His son Baji Rao I succeeded (1720–1740)
- Step 3: Baji Rao I's son Balaji Baji Rao (Nana Saheb) followed (1740–1761)
- Step 4: Madhav Rao I came after (1761–1772)
Answer: 3 → 2 → 1 → 4
Example 2: Factual recall
Question: The treaty signed between Shivaji and Jai Singh in 1665 is known as?
Solution: Treaty of Purandar — Shivaji ceded 23 of 35 forts, retained 12 forts, and agreed his son Sambhaji would serve Mughals.
Example 3: Cause-effect analysis
Question: Which battle marked the end of Maratha ambition to establish supremacy over India?
Answer: Third Battle of Panipat (1761). The Marathas under Sadashivrao Bhau lost to Ahmad Shah Abdali. Key Maratha leaders including Vishwasrao (heir apparent) died. Though the empire survived, it never regained offensive capacity for pan-Indian dominance.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing Ashtapradhan with a cabinet system → The eight ministers were individually responsible to the king, not collectively responsible like a modern cabinet. Each had distinct, non-overlapping duties.
- Assuming Shivaji founded a "Hindu" empire against "Muslims" → Shivaji employed Muslims in his navy and administration; his conflict was political (against Mughals and Bijapur Sultanate), not religious. He respected all faiths.
- Mixing up the three Anglo-Maratha Wars → First War ended with Treaty of Salbai (1782), status quo restored. Second War (1803–05) resulted in major territorial losses under Wellesley's subsidiary alliance. Third War (1817–18) ended Maratha power entirely.
- Believing Peshwas always existed as hereditary rulers → The position became hereditary only after Balaji Vishwanath (1713). Under Shivaji and Sambhaji, Peshwas were appointed officials.
- Attributing Maratha decline solely to Panipat → While Panipat was devastating, internal rivalries among confederate chiefs, lack of central authority, and failure to modernise military against British tactics were equally responsible.
Quick Reference
- Shivaji's coronation: 1674, Raigad Fort — assumed title Chhatrapati
- Chauth = 25%, Sardeshmukhi = 10% — taxes on non-Maratha territories
- Baji Rao I — greatest Peshwa, expanded to Delhi, undefeated in 41 battles
- Panipat III (1761) — Marathas lost to Abdali; turning point of decline
- 1818 — Final British victory; Peshwa title abolished, pension given
- Five Confederacy chiefs: Peshwa, Scindia, Holkar, Gaekwad, Bhonsle