Rise and Development of Marathas
Introduction
The Marathas were a powerful Hindu warrior community from the Deccan region (present-day Maharashtra) who rose to become one of the greatest empires in Indian history between the 17th and 19th centuries.
· The word "Maratha" refers to the Marathi-speaking people of the Deccan plateau.
· They challenged the mighty Mughal Empire and expanded their power across almost the entire Indian subcontinent.
· At their peak, the Maratha Empire covered nearly 2.8 million sq. km of India.
Table of Contents
Background – Rise of Marathas
The rise of the Marathas was not sudden — it had a strong background:
· Deccan Sultanates (Bijapur, Golconda, Ahmadnagar) had already created a space for local Hindu chiefs.
· Marathas served as soldiers and administrators under these Sultanates and gained military experience.
· The Bhakti movement (saints like Tukaram, Ramdas, Eknath) created a strong sense of Hindu religious identity among Marathas.
· Sant Ramdas was the spiritual guru of Shivaji and inspired him to establish Hindavi Swarajya (self-rule of Hindus).
· Economic and social conditions of the Deccan helped local leaders gain popularity among common people.
Shivaji Maharaj – Founder of Maratha Empire
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is the greatest hero of Maratha history and one of the greatest rulers in Indian history.
|
Fact |
Detail |
|
Full Name |
Shivaji Bhonsle |
|
Born |
19 February 1630, Shivneri Fort, Maharashtra |
|
Father |
Shahaji Bhonsle |
|
Mother |
Jijabai |
|
Coronation |
1674 AD at Raigad Fort (title: Chhatrapati) |
|
Death |
3 April 1680, Raigad Fort |
|
Capital |
Raigad |
|
Guru |
Sant Ramdas |
Key achievements of Shivaji:
· Captured Torna Fort at age 16 (1646) — first major achievement.
· Built a strong navy — called "Father of Indian Navy."
· Killed Afzal Khan (Bijapur general) in 1659 — a major turning point.
· Escaped from Aurangzeb's prison in Agra (1666) — famous story.
· Performed coronation (Rajyabhishek) in 1674 and declared Maratha kingdom.
· Divided administration into Ashta Pradhan (council of 8 ministers).
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Shivaji's Administration and Military System
Shivaji was not only a great warrior but also an excellent administrator.
Ashta Pradhan (8 Ministers):
|
Minister |
Role |
|
Peshwa |
Prime Minister – head of administration |
|
Amatya |
Finance Minister |
|
Sachiv |
Correspondence/Records |
|
Mantri |
Intelligence/Advisor |
|
Senapati |
Commander of Army |
|
Sumant |
Foreign Affairs |
|
Nyayadhish |
Chief Justice |
|
Panditrao |
Religious Affairs |
Military Innovations:
· Used guerrilla warfare (hit and run tactics) very effectively.
· Built and maintained many mountain forts (Raigad, Pratapgad, Sinhagad).
· Created a strong naval force to protect western coastline.
· Paid soldiers in cash (not land grants) to maintain loyalty.
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Maratha Empire After Shivaji
After Shivaji's death in 1680, the empire faced challenges but survived:
|
Ruler |
Period |
Key Event |
|
Sambhaji |
1680–1689 |
Son of Shivaji; killed by Aurangzeb |
|
Rajaram |
1689–1700 |
Continued resistance against Mughals |
|
Tarabai |
1700–1707 |
Ruled as regent; kept Maratha resistance alive |
|
Shahu |
1707–1749 |
Released by Aurangzeb's successor; power shifted to Peshwas |
The Peshwa Era – Golden Age of Marathas
After Shahu became king, real power shifted to the Peshwas (Prime Ministers). This was the golden age of Maratha expansion.
Important Peshwas:
|
Peshwa |
Period |
Achievement |
|
Balaji Vishwanath |
1713–1720 |
First powerful Peshwa; brought Shahu to power |
|
Baji Rao I |
1720–1740 |
Greatest Peshwa; never lost a battle; expanded empire to North India |
|
Balaji Baji Rao (Nanasaheb) |
1740–1761 |
Expanded empire to max size; died after Third Battle of Panipat |
|
Madhav Rao I |
1761–1772 |
Tried to rebuild after Panipat; died young |
|
Peshwa Baji Rao II |
1796–1818 |
Last Peshwa; defeated by British in Third Anglo-Maratha War |
Baji Rao I is considered the greatest Peshwa
— he won over 40 battles and expanded Maratha influence to Delhi, Rajputana and
Malwa.
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Maratha Confederacy – Important Chiefs
After Shahu, the Maratha Empire became a confederacy (group of semi-independent chiefs):
|
Chief/Family |
Region |
Important Name |
|
Bhonsle |
Nagpur |
Raghuji Bhonsle |
|
Holkar |
Indore |
Malhar Rao Holkar, Ahilyabai Holkar |
|
Scindia (Shinde) |
Gwalior |
Mahadji Scindia |
|
Gaekwad |
Baroda |
Pilaji Gaekwad |
|
Peshwa |
Pune |
Head of confederacy |
Ahilyabai Holkar (1725–1795) is one of the greatest
women rulers of India — she administered Indore brilliantly and built many
temples across India.
Mahadji Scindia was the most powerful Maratha chief in the late 18th
century and controlled much of North India.
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Important Battles of the Marathas
|
Battle |
Year |
Fought Between |
Result |
|
Battle of Pratapgad |
1659 |
Shivaji vs Afzal Khan (Bijapur) |
Shivaji won; Afzal Khan killed |
|
Battle of Kolhapur |
1659 |
Shivaji vs Bijapur army |
Maratha victory |
|
Battle of Surat (Sack of Surat) |
1664 |
Shivaji raided Mughal port |
Shivaji won enormous wealth |
|
Battle of Purandar |
1665 |
Shivaji vs Jai Singh (Mughal) |
Shivaji had to sign Treaty of Purandar |
|
Battle of Salher |
1672 |
Marathas vs Mughals |
First major open field Maratha victory |
|
Battle of Palkhed |
1728 |
Baji Rao I vs Nizam |
Maratha victory |
|
Battle of Bhopal |
1737 |
Baji Rao I vs Mughals |
Maratha victory; reached near Delhi |
|
Third Battle of Panipat |
1761 |
Marathas vs Ahmad Shah Abdali |
Maratha defeat; massive loss |
Anglo-Maratha Wars (All Three)
|
War |
Year |
Result |
Key Treaty / Event |
|
First Anglo-Maratha War |
1775–1782 |
Inconclusive; Marathas held on |
Treaty of Salbai (1782) — status quo |
|
Second Anglo-Maratha War |
1803–1805 |
British won significant territories |
Treaty of Bassein (1802) triggered war; Scindia and Bhonsle defeated |
|
Third Anglo-Maratha War |
1817–1818 |
British won completely |
Peshwa Baji Rao II surrendered; Maratha Empire ended |
Treaty of Bassein (1802) — Peshwa Baji Rao II signed this with
British (subsidiary alliance) which was the biggest reason for the fall of
Marathas.
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Decline and Fall of Maratha Empire
The Maratha Empire declined due to several reasons:
· Third Battle of Panipat (1761) — Massive defeat by Ahmad Shah Abdali; loss of top generals, soldiers and Peshwa's son.
· Internal conflicts among Maratha chiefs (Holkar, Scindia, Bhonsle, Peshwa all fought each other).
· Treaty of Bassein (1802) — Peshwa accepted British subsidiary alliance, weakening Maratha unity.
· Three Anglo-Maratha Wars — British used diplomacy and modern military to defeat Marathas one by one.
· Weak later Peshwas — Peshwa Baji Rao II was weak and selfish; could not unite all chiefs.
· Superior British military technology and political strategy.
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Legacy of the Marathas
Even though the Maratha Empire fell, their legacy is enormous:
· They stopped the spread of Mughal power in South India.
· Marathas protected Hindu culture and temples across India.
· Ahilyabai Holkar rebuilt hundreds of temples including Kashi Vishwanath and Somnath.
· Mahadji Scindia showed that Marathas could compete with European powers militarily.
· The Maratha spirit of resistance inspired many freedom fighters later.
· Cities like Pune, Nagpur, Indore, Gwalior, Baroda developed greatly under Maratha rule.
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MCQs
Q1. Who founded the Maratha Empire?
(A) Balaji
Vishwanath
(B) Baji Rao I
(C) Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
(D) Sambhaji
Ans: C
Explanation: Shivaji Maharaj founded the Maratha Empire in the
mid-17th century and was coronated as Chhatrapati in 1674 at Raigad Fort.
Q2. In which year was Shivaji Maharaj born?
(A) 1620
(B) 1627
(C) 1630
(D) 1640
Ans: C
Explanation: Shivaji was born on 19 February 1630 at Shivneri
Fort, Maharashtra.
Q3. Where was Shivaji Maharaj coronated (Rajyabhishek) as Chhatrapati?
(A) Pratapgad Fort
(B) Torna Fort
(C) Sinhagad Fort
(D) Raigad Fort
Ans: D
Explanation: Shivaji's coronation took place at Raigad Fort in
1674. Raigad also served as his capital.
Q4. Which was the first fort captured by Shivaji Maharaj?
(A) Raigad
(B) Sinhagad
(C) Torna Fort
(D) Pratapgad
Ans: C
Explanation: Shivaji captured Torna Fort in 1646 at just 16
years of age — his first major military achievement.
Q5. Who was the spiritual guru (mentor) of Shivaji Maharaj?
(A) Tukaram
(B) Eknath
(C) Sant Ramdas
(D) Namdev
Ans: C
Explanation: Sant Ramdas was the spiritual guru of Shivaji and
inspired him to establish Hindavi Swarajya (Hindu self-rule).
Q6. What was the name of Shivaji's mother?
(A) Sai Bai
(B) Jijabai
(C) Tarabai
(D) Putlabai
Ans: B
Explanation: Jijabai was Shivaji's mother. She played a very
important role in shaping Shivaji's character and values.
Q7. Shivaji is called the "Father of Indian Navy" because:
(A) He defeated
the Portuguese at sea
(B) He built the first warship in India
(C) He established a powerful navy to protect the Maratha coastline
(D) He captured all major sea ports of India
Ans: C
Explanation: Shivaji built a strong naval force (nearly 200
ships) to guard the western coast and collect taxes from ships.
Q8. The Battle of Pratapgad (1659) was fought between Shivaji and:
(A) Aurangzeb
(B) Jai Singh
(C) Afzal Khan of Bijapur
(D) Shaista Khan
Ans:C
Explanation: In 1659, Shivaji killed Afzal Khan (Bijapur's
general) near Pratapgad. This was a major turning point in Maratha history.
Q9. The Treaty of Purandar (1665) was signed between Shivaji and:
(A) Aurangzeb
(B) Jai Singh (on behalf of Aurangzeb)
(C) Afzal Khan
(D) Shaista Khan
Ans: B
Explanation: Jai Singh, the Mughal general, besieged Purandar
and forced Shivaji to sign the Treaty of Purandar. Shivaji surrendered 23
forts.
Q10. The Ashta Pradhan was a council of how many ministers under Shivaji?
(A) 6
(B) 7
(C) 8
(D) 10
Ans: C
Explanation: Ashta Pradhan (Ashta = 8, Pradhan = ministers) was
Shivaji's cabinet of 8 ministers. The Peshwa was the most powerful among them.
Q11. Who among the following was the Prime Minister (head of administration) in Shivaji's Ashta Pradhan?
(A) Amatya
(B) Senapati
(C) Peshwa
(D) Sumant
Ans: C
Explanation: The Peshwa was the Prime Minister and the most
important minister in Shivaji's Ashta Pradhan council.
Q12. Which minister in Shivaji's Ashta Pradhan looked after foreign affairs?
(A) Sachiv
(B) Nyayadhish
(C) Amatya
(D) Sumant
Ans: D
Explanation:
Sumant (also called Dabir) was responsible for foreign affairs and diplomacy in
Shivaji's administration.
Q13. Which of the following was the finance minister in Shivaji's Ashta Pradhan?
(A) Peshwa
(B) Amatya
(C) Panditrao
(D) Mantri
Ans: B
Explanation: Amatya (also called Mazumdar) was the finance
minister in Shivaji's administration.
Q14. The military tactic most associated with Shivaji Maharaj is:
(A) Cavalry
charges in open fields
(B) Naval warfare only
(C) Guerrilla warfare (Ganimi Kava)
(D) Elephant warfare
Ans: C
Explanation: Shivaji's famous guerrilla warfare (hit and run
tactics) using terrain and speed made him almost unbeatable against larger
Mughal forces.
Q15. Who was the first powerful Peshwa of the Maratha Empire?
(A) Baji Rao I
(B) Balaji Baji Rao
(C) Balaji Vishwanath
(D) Madhav Rao I
Ans: C
Explanation: Balaji Vishwanath (1713–1720) was the first
powerful Peshwa who consolidated Maratha power and helped Shahu become king.
Q16. Who is considered the greatest Peshwa of the Maratha Empire?
(A) Balaji
Vishwanath
(B) Baji Rao I
(C) Madhav Rao I
(D) Nanasaheb
Ans: B
Explanation: Baji Rao I (1720–1740) is considered the greatest
Peshwa. He never lost a battle and expanded the Maratha Empire across North
India.
Q17. Where was the capital of the Peshwas?
(A) Nagpur
(B) Satara
(C) Pune
(D) Kolhapur
Ans: C
Explanation: Pune (Poona) was the capital of the Peshwas during
their reign as the effective rulers of the Maratha Empire.
Q18. Who was the last Peshwa of the Maratha Empire?
(A) Madhav Rao I
(B) Narayanrao
(C) Balaji Baji Rao
(D) Baji Rao II
Ans: D
Explanation: Peshwa Baji Rao II was the last Peshwa. He was
defeated by the British in the Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817–1818) and the
Peshwa title was abolished.
Q19. The Maratha Confederacy did NOT include which of the following families?
(A) Holkar of
Indore
(B) Scindia of Gwalior
(C) Gaekwad of Baroda
(D) Wodeyar of Mysore
Ans: D
Explanation: The Wodeyars of Mysore were NOT part of the
Maratha Confederacy. The main Maratha chiefs were Holkar, Scindia, Gaekwad and
Bhonsle (Nagpur).
Q20. Ahilyabai Holkar was the queen of which state?
(A) Gwalior
(B) Baroda
(C) Indore
(D) Nagpur
Ans: C
Explanation: Ahilyabai Holkar (1725–1795) was the famous queen
of Indore. She was one of the greatest administrators of her time and built
many temples across India.
Q21. The Third Battle of
Panipat (1761) was fought between Marathas and:
(A) Nadir Shah
(B) Babur
(C) Ahmad Shah Abdali (Durrani)
(D) Tipu Sultan
Ans: C
Explanation: The Third Battle of Panipat (14 January 1761) was
fought between the Marathas and Ahmad Shah Abdali (Afghan ruler). Marathas
suffered a devastating defeat.
Q22. Which Maratha leader was killed in the Third Battle of Panipat (1761)?
(A) Mahadji
Scindia
(B) Vishwasrao (son of Peshwa Nanasaheb)
(C) Baji Rao I
(D) Madhav Rao I
Ans: B
Explanation: Vishwasrao, son of Peshwa Nanasaheb (Balaji Baji
Rao), was killed in the Third Battle of Panipat. This news devastated Peshwa
Nanasaheb who died shortly after.
Q23. The Treaty of Salbai (1782) was signed between:
(A) Marathas and
Mysore
(B) Marathas and British East India Company
(C) Marathas and Nizam
(D) Marathas and French
Ans: B
Explanation: The Treaty of Salbai ended the First Anglo-Maratha
War. It was signed between the British East India Company and Mahadji Scindia
(on behalf of Marathas) in 1782.
Q24. The Treaty of Bassein (1802) was signed between:
(A) Baji Rao II
and the British
(B) Mahadji Scindia and the British
(C) Nizam and the Marathas
(D) Holkar and the British
Ans: A
Explanation: Peshwa Baji Rao II signed the Treaty of Bassein
with the British in 1802. This subsidiary alliance is considered the biggest
cause of the final fall of Marathas.
Q25. How many Anglo-Maratha Wars were fought in total?
(A) 2
(B) 3
(C) 4
(D) 5
Ans: B
Explanation: Three Anglo-Maratha Wars were fought — First
(1775–1782), Second (1803–1805) and Third (1817–1818). The third war ended the
Maratha Empire.
Q26. In which year did the Maratha Empire effectively end?
(A) 1761
(B) 1802
(C) 1805
(D) 1818
Ans: D
Explanation: The
Maratha Empire ended in 1818 when the British won the Third Anglo-Maratha War
and Peshwa Baji Rao II surrendered.
Q27. Mahadji Scindia belonged to which branch of the Maratha Confederacy?
(A) Holkar of Indore
(B) Bhonsle of Nagpur
(C) Scindia (Shinde) of Gwalior
(D) Gaekwad of Baroda
Ans: C
Explanation: Mahadji Scindia was the most powerful Maratha
chief of the late 18th century and belonged to the Scindia family of Gwalior.
Q28. Which script was mainly used for administrative records by the Marathas?
(A) Devanagari
(B) Modi script
(C) Persian script
(D) Brahmi script
Ans: B
Explanation: The Marathas primarily used Modi script for
revenue collection and administrative records.
Q29. The concept of "Hindavi Swarajya" (Hindu self-rule) was given
by:
(A) Peshwa Baji
Rao I
(B) Balaji Vishwanath
(C) Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
(D) Tarabai
Ans: C
Explanation: Shivaji Maharaj, inspired by his guru Sant Ramdas,
worked to establish Hindavi Swarajya — a free Hindu kingdom free from Mughal
domination.
Q30. Who among the following kept the Maratha resistance alive after Sambhaji's death in 1689?
(A) Shahu
(B) Rajaram and later Tarabai
(C) Baji Rao I
(D) Balaji Vishwanath
Ans: B
Explanation: After Sambhaji was killed by Aurangzeb, Rajaram
continued the fight. After Rajaram's death, his wife Tarabai acted as
regent and kept Maratha resistance alive against the Mughals.
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FAQs-
Q1. Who founded the Maratha Empire?
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj founded the Maratha Empire. He was coronated in
1674 at Raigad Fort.
Q2. Who is called the Father of Indian
Navy?
Shivaji Maharaj is called the Father of Indian Navy because he built a powerful
naval force to protect the western coastline of India.
Q3. What was the Ashta Pradhan?
Ashta Pradhan was the council of 8 ministers created by Shivaji to run his
administration. The Peshwa (Prime Minister) was the most important among them.
Q4. Who was the greatest Peshwa?
Baji Rao I (1720–1740) is considered the greatest Peshwa. He never lost a
single battle and expanded the Maratha Empire to North India.
Q5. What was the Third Battle of
Panipat and why is it important?
The Third Battle of Panipat (1761) was fought between Marathas and Ahmad Shah
Abdali. Marathas suffered a huge defeat which weakened the empire greatly.
Q6. How many Anglo-Maratha Wars were
there?
There were 3 Anglo-Maratha Wars — 1775, 1803 and 1817. The third war in 1818
ended the Maratha Empire completely.
Q7. What was the Treaty of Bassein?
The Treaty of Bassein (1802) was signed between Peshwa Baji Rao II and the
British. It brought Marathas under British subsidiary alliance and is seen as
the main reason for the final fall of the Maratha Empire.
Q8. Who was Ahilyabai Holkar?
Ahilyabai Holkar (1725–1795) was the queen of Indore and one of the greatest
rulers in Indian history. She built and restored many temples including Kashi
Vishwanath and Somnath.
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Conclusion
The story of the Marathas is one of the most inspiring chapters in Indian history. From a small warrior community in the Deccan, they grew into a mighty empire that challenged the Mughal power and spread across almost the entire Indian subcontinent.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj laid the foundation with his brilliant military strategy, strong administration (Ashta Pradhan), guerrilla warfare and powerful navy. His courage and vision gave birth to the idea of Hindavi Swarajya — a free, self-ruled Hindu kingdom.
After Shivaji, the Peshwas — especially the great Baji Rao I — took the Maratha Empire to its peak. The Maratha Confederacy (Holkar, Scindia, Gaekwad, Bhonsle) spread Maratha power to every corner of India. Queens like Ahilyabai Holkar showed that Maratha greatness was not only about war but also about wise and just governance.
However, the Third Battle of Panipat (1761), internal conflicts among Maratha chiefs and the clever diplomacy of the British — especially the Treaty of Bassein (1802) — slowly weakened the empire. By 1818, the Third Anglo-Maratha War ended the Maratha Empire completely.
Yet the legacy of the Marathas lives forever. They protected Indian culture, rebuilt temples, supported trade and resisted foreign domination for nearly 150 years. For any student of Indian history — and especially for competitive exam aspirants — the Maratha era is a must-know and high-scoring topic.
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