Notes Class 11 Chapter 16 History Maharashtra Board

Swarajya to Empire (Maratha Period)

Introduction

The Maratha period marks a significant era in Indian history, characterized by the rise of Maratha power under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who established Swarajya (self-rule) in the 17th century. This period saw the transition from regional autonomy to a vast empire, challenging Mughal dominance and contributing to art, architecture, literature, and socio-economic development. The chapter covers the contributions of sants, the foundation and expansion of Swarajya, the Maratha War of Independence, administrative systems, and socio-cultural developments.

16.1 Contribution of Sants

Context: Medieval Indian society was plagued by superstition, rituals, and fatalism, leading to social inertia and misery among the common people.

Role of Sants:

• Sants in Maharashtra revitalized society by promoting equality, humanity, and community harmony.
• Their teachings countered the effects of foreign invasions, droughts, and natural calamities.
• They fostered a sense of belonging to native culture, language, and literature, boosting self-esteem among the masses.

Key Sants:

• Chakradhar Swami, Sant Namdev, Sant Dnyaneshwar, Sant Eknath, Sant Tukaram, Samarth Ramdas: Laid the foundation of the Bhakti movement.
• Women Sants: Sant Nirmalabai, Sant Muktabai, Sant Janabai, Sant Kanhopatra, Sant Bahinabai Siurkar.
• Other Sants: Sant Chokhamela, Sant Goroba, Sant Sawata, Sant Narhari, Sant Sena, Sant Shaikh Muhammad.

Impact:

• Their devotional songs provided moral support and created social awakening.
• They preached unity, love, and harmonious community life, strengthening societal resilience.

16.2 Foundation and Expansion of Swarajya

Political Background:

• Alauddin Khalji defeated the Yadavas of Devgiri, marking the start of Delhi Sultanate rule in South India.
• The Tughluq and Bahamani kingdoms followed, with the Bahamani kingdom later splitting into five sultanates, including Nizamshahi and Adilshahi in Maharashtra.
• Mughal expansion ended Nizamshahi, setting the stage for Shivaji Maharaj’s rise.

Role of Shahajiraje Bhosale:

• A prominent sardar in Nizamshahi, later joining Adilshahi as a Mansabdar.
• Managed Jahagirs in Pune, Supe, Shirwal, Indapur, and Chakan.
• Envisioned Swarajya, laying the ideological foundation for self-rule.
• Sent his wife, Veermata Jijabai, and son, Shivaji Maharaj, to Pune with capable associates to realize his vision.

Veermata Jijabai:

• A visionary and efficient administrator, she guided Shivaji Maharaj in establishing Swarajya.
• Provided education and instilled values necessary for leadership.

Shivaji Maharaj’s Contributions:

• Laid the foundation of Swarajya in the Mawal region, leveraging its difficult terrain and the valor of Mawalas.
• Captured forts like Torana, establishing Rajgad as the first capital.
• Defeated Chandrarao More to secure Javali, expanding activities in Konkan.
• Defeated Afzalkhan at Pratapgad (1659), gaining wealth and weapons.
• Escaped Siddi Jauhar’s siege at Panhala with the sacrifice of Shiva Kashid and Bajiprabhu Deshpande at Ghodkhind.
• Attacked Shaistakhan at Lal Mahal (1663) and looted Surat, Aurangzeb’s economic hub.
• Signed the Treaty of Purandar (1665) tactically, later escaping house arrest in Agra.
• Coronated in 1674 at Raigad, formalizing Swarajya’s sovereign status.
• Undertook the Karnataka expedition but passed away in 1680.

Naval Development:

• Built a navy with Portuguese assistance, creating a fleet of 400 ships by 1675.
• Controlled coastal trade and countered Siddi and Portuguese threats.
• Earned the title “Father of the Indian Navy.”

Key Associates: Kanhoji Jedhe, Tanaji Malusare, Netoji Palkar, Baji Pasalkar, Baji Prabhu Deshpande, Murarbaji Deshpande.

16.3 Maratha War of Independence

Context: After Shivaji Maharaj’s death, the Marathas faced continuous Mughal aggression under Aurangzeb.

Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj (1680-1689):

• Coronated after Shivaji Maharaj, he continued the fight against Aurangzeb.
• Allied with Aurangzeb’s rebellious son, Akbar.
• Brutally killed by Aurangzeb in 1689, but his death united the Marathas.

Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj (1689-1700):

• Took over after Sambhaji Maharaj, operating from Raigad and later Jinji.
• Faced Mughal attacks led by Zulfikar Khan, who captured Raigad in 1689.
• Maharani Yesubai and Prince Shahu were imprisoned in Delhi.
• Rajaram Maharaj, with leaders like Santaji Ghorpade and Dhanaji Jadhav, used guerrilla tactics to resist Mughal forces.
• Successfully safeguarded Swarajya despite limited resources.

Maharani Tarabai (1700-1725):

• After Rajaram Maharaj’s death, she led Swaraji against Aurangzeb.
• Fought for 25 years under adverse conditions, encouraging Maratha expansion beyond Swarajya’s boundaries.
• Her leadership marked a shift from defensive to offensive strategies.

Outcome:

• Aurangzeb’s death in 1707 weakened Mughal power.
• The Maratha War of Independence transitioned from defending Swarajya to expanding Maratha influence across India.

16.4 Administrative System Established by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

Territorial Extent: Swarajya included Maharashtra (Nashik, Pune, Satara, etc.), parts of Karnataka (Belgaum, Karwar), Andhra, and Tamil Nadu (Jinji, Vellore).

Ashtapradhan Mandal:

• A council of eight ministers: Peshwa, Amatya, Sachiv, Mantri, Senapati, Sumant, Nyayadhish, Panditrao.
• Expanded with the kingdom’s growth, formalized post-coronation.

Intelligence Network:

• Led by Bahirji Naik, it provided critical information for expeditions.

Administrative Divisions:

• Swarajya was divided into two parts:
  1. Geographically bound province (Maharashtra and North Konkan), assigned to Peshwa, Sachiv, and Mantri.
  2. Scattered southern regions, with a separate Karnataka Subha under Hambirrao Mohite and Raghunath Narayan Amatya.
• Sarsubhedars (Deshadhikari) managed provincial administration, assisted by Deshmukhs and Deshpandes.

Revenue System:

• Replaced Malik Amber’s system with a new measurement unit, “Kathi” (5 cubits + 5 closed fists).
• Land measured in Bighas (20 Kathis) and Chavars (120 Bighas).
• Revenue based on yield quality and three-year average, excluding barren or grazing land.
• Deshmukhs collected revenue and developed cultivable land.

Village Administration:

• Villages were self-sufficient, with 12 balutedars (hereditary service providers like goldsmiths, blacksmiths).
• New villages received cattle, seeds, and loans under the Batai system (repayment after two years).

Key Officers:

• Darakdar, Diwan, Majumdar, Phadnis, Sabnis, Karkhanis, Chitnis, Jamdar, Potdar.
• Killedars (fort keepers) and Karkuns (clerks) appointed by the king.

Distinct Features:

• Unlike Islamic rulers, Swarajya’s Sarsubhas focused on overall administration, not just revenue collection.
• Officials received cash salaries, not land grants (watans).

16.5 Release of Shahu Maharaj

• Context: Post-Aurangzeb, the Mughals aimed to weaken the Marathas by releasing Shahu Maharaj in 1707.
• Conflict: Shahu Maharaj clashed with Maharani Tarabai, defeating her with Balaji Vishwanath’s support.
• Balaji Vishwanath: Appointed Peshwa, he played a key role in stabilizing Shahu Maharaj’s rule.

16.6 Peshwa Period

Balaji Vishwanath: Strengthened Maratha power under Shahu Maharaj.

Bajirao I:

• Expanded the Maratha empire to Malwa, Rajasthan, and Bundelkhand.
• Defeated the Nizam, consolidating Maratha dominance.

Balaji Bajirao (Nanasaheb):

• Faced defeat in the Third Battle of Panipat (1761), which lowered Maratha morale.

Madhavrao Peshwa:

• Re-established Maratha power in North India, overcoming the Panipat defeat.

Key Figures:

• Malharrao Holkar: Founded the Holkar State in Indore, strengthening Maratha influence in the north.
• Ahilyabai Holkar: Administered Indore efficiently, building temples, ghats, and dharamshalas.
• Raghuji Bhosale: Expanded Maratha dominance to Bengal.
• Mahadji Shinde: Re-established Maratha supremacy in North India, modernizing the army with French assistance.
• Nana Phadnavis: Managed state affairs post-Madhavrao, maintaining stability.

Decline:

• The untimely deaths of Narayanrao and Sawai Madhavrao weakened Maratha power.
• British interference in internal conflicts led to Peshwa Bajirao II’s defeat, establishing British dominance.

16.7 Art, Architecture, Literature

Art

Miniature Paintings:

• Found on pothis, pattachitra, and patrikas, illustrating texts like Bhagvat Gita, Dnyaneshwari, and Shivaleelamrut.
• Themes included Dashavatara, ragamalas, talamala, and royal processions.
• Used vibrant colors (red, green, yellow) and adorned wooden pothi stands.

Murals:

• Decorated wadas (Naik-Nimbalkar, Nana Phadnavis) and temples (Mayureshwar, Pandeshwar).
• Depicted Ramayana, Mahabharata, Puranas, and contemporary social life.

Performing Arts:

• Keertan, bhajans, powadas, and lavani were popular.
• Powadas by Adnyandas (Afzalkhan’s slaying) and Tulsidas (Sinhagad battle) inspired heroism.
• Shahirs like Anantafandi, Prabhakar, and Honaji Bala composed lavani.
• Dance forms: Lavani, Koli dance, Gaja Nrutya.

Architecture

Forts:

• Shivaji Maharaj built hill and sea forts (e.g., Sindhudurga) for defense.

Wadas:

• Constructed with stone (ground floor) and brick (upper storeys), featuring courtyards, wooden pillars, and motifs (parrot, peacock).
• Examples: Vishrambaug wada (Pune), Nana Phadnavis wada (Menavali).

Temples:

• Three types:
  1. Large, star-shaped temples (e.g., Vateshwar, Sangameshwar in Saswad).
  2. Stone temples similar to Malwa/Rajasthan styles (e.g., Kalaram, Sundarnarayan in Nashik).
  3. Independent style with arches and stucco sculptures (e.g., temples in Pune, Satara).
• Featured shikharas, sabhamandapas, and deepmalas (e.g., Jejuri’s stone deepmalas by Shahajiraje).

Civic Structures:

• Ghats built along rivers (Nashik, Wai, Menavali).
• Chhatris (samadhis) at various locations.

Urban Development:

• Cities like Pune, Satara, and Nashik grew with paved roads, wadas, and arched gates.

Literature

17th Century:

• Sant Tukaram: Poet of the Warkari sect.
• Samarth Ramdas: Wrote Dasbodh and Manache Shlok.
• Shivaji Maharaj: Compiled Rajyavyavaharakosha (Sanskrit lexicon for Persian terms).
• Sambhaji Maharaj: Wrote Budhabhushan (Sanskrit), Nayikabhed, Nakhshikh, and Satasattak (Brij).

18th Century:

• Yatharthdeepika by Vaman Pandit.
• Naladamayanti Swayamvara by Raghunath Pandit.
• Pandavapratapa, Harivijay, Ramavijay by Shridhar Pandit.
• Moropant’s Mahabharata translation.
• Bakhar literature: Sabhasad Bakhar, Bhausahebanchi Bakhar, Panipatchi Bakhar.
• Bhaktivijay by Mahipati.

16.8 Trade, Industries, and Social Life

Trade

Shivaji Maharaj’s Policies:

• Encouraged trade by establishing Peths (market places) managed by Shete and Mahajan.
• Protected local industries, e.g., imposed heavy duties on Portuguese salt imports to boost Konkan’s salt trade.

Ports and Trade Centers: Chaul, Rajapur, Dabhol, Kelshi, Ratnagiri.

• Exports: Black pepper, lac (Dabhol); silk, opium, indigo (Chaul); cardamom, cotton cloth (Rajapur).
• Foreign traders transported goods to the Red Sea and Iran.

Urbanization: Pune, Indapur, Saswad, Kolhapur, and Konkan ports flourished during the Peshwa period.

Industries

Key Industries: Textile, metallurgy, sugar.

Village Economy:

• Self-sufficient villages with 12 balutedars (e.g., goldsmiths, blacksmiths).
• Weekly markets (Kasba) facilitated trade in daily provisions.

Social Life

• Social Structure: Nobility (sardars), landlords (watandars), balutedars, and ryot (common subjects).
• Education: Traditional pathshalas in Wai, Nashik, Paithan.
• Festivals: Utsavas and vrata vaikalye celebrated enthusiastically, supported by the state to foster harmony.