The Rise of the Marathas
Introduction
European merchants (Portuguese, English, Dutch, French, Danes) aimed to expand territory, religion using navy, gunpowder; control needed (Ramachandrapant Amatya, 1715).
Who Are the Marathas?
- From Maharashtra; speak Marathi (literature since 12th century).
- 13th century: Ruled by Yadava dynasty; 14th century: Conquered by Khilji Sultanate.
- Bhakti movement (7th-17th centuries): Saints (Dnyaneshwar, Namdev, Tukaram, Ramdas) translated holy texts into Marathi, built cultural base.
- 17th century: Maratha chiefs tried independence; succeeded under Shivaji.
Key Terms:
- Bhakti: Devotion to God.
- Jāgīr: Land given as reward; taxes collected.
Rise of Shivaji
- Born 1630, Bhonsle clan; raised in Pune with values, education.
- At 16, captured forts; aimed for Swarājya (self-rule).
- Built first full Indian navy for west coast.
- Used guerrilla warfare: small groups, speed, surprise, terrain knowledge.
Key Events:
- Killed Afzal Khan (Bijapur) with wagh nakh at Pratapgad.
- Night raid on Shaista Khan (Mughal); Khan lost fingers.
- Sacked Surat twice; gained wealth, spared religious sites.
- Defeated at Purandar; gave up land; son Sambhaji joined Mughals.
- Escaped Agra house arrest in fruit baskets.
- Coronated 1674 at Raigad: ‘Shri Raja Shiva Chhatrapati’; started Rājyābhisheka shaka.
- Conquered Tamil Nadu, Karnataka for strategic depth.
- Stopped Dutch slave trade.
Died 1650; inspired Chhatrasal, poet Bhushan.
Key Terms:
- Guerrilla warfare: Small group attacks.
- Surgical strike: Targeted attack.
- Wagh nakh: Tiger claw weapon.
Marathas After Shivaji
- Sambhaji: Captured, killed by Aurangzeb; Raigad lost.
- Rajaram & Tarabai: Fled to Gingee; Tarabai led north invasions.
- Shift to decentralized rule; Peshwa gained power.
Key Leaders:
- Bajirao I, Nanasaheb: Pan-India expansion.
- Controlled Lahore, Attock, Peshawar.
- Lost Panipat (1761); recovered under Madhavrao I.
- Mahadji Shinde: Recaptured Delhi (1771).
Anglo-Maratha wars (1775-1818): British won due to disunity, better tech.
Nana Phadnavis: Anti-British alliance with Hyder Ali, Nizam.
Maratha Administration
1. Civilian Administration
- Centralized; no hereditary posts; salaries from treasury; officials transferred.
- Pensions for soldiers’ widows; jobs for sons.
- Coins in Shivaji’s name with Devanagari script.
- Ashta Pradhana Mandala: 8 ministers (e.g., Prime Minister, Finance, Army Chief).
- Taxes: Chauth (25%), Sardeshmukhi (10%) from non-Maratha areas.
2. Military Administration
- Infantry, cavalry (Bargirs: state-paid; Shiledars: self-paid), navy.
- Weapons: Swords, lances, guns, rockets.
- Forts: Core for defense, route control.
- 18th century: European-style troops, artillery (e.g., Mahadji Shinde).
3. Maritime Supremacy
- Shivaji’s navy; Kanhoji Angre won using geography.
- Challenged European naval passes; called ‘pirate’.
4. Judicial System
- Moderate; rare death penalty.
- Panchayat: Local justice; appeals to chiefs.
- Kotwal: Town police.
5. Trade Networks
- Shivaji’s ships to Yemen, Oman, Malaysia (gold, textiles).
- Built roads, ferries, bridges.
Cultural Revival
Shivaji: Sanskrit seal; promoted Marathi/Sanskrit; respected all faiths; rebuilt temples; saffron flag.
Women:
- Tarabai: Led north invasions; outsmarted Mughals.
- Ahilyabai Holkar: Ruled 30 years; built temples (Kashi Vishwanath, Somnath), roads; promoted weaving.
Modi script: Cursive Devanagari.
Nagpur Bhonsles: Revived Jagannath worship in Puri.
Thanjavur Marathas: Mixed cultures; Serfoji II shaped Carnatic music, Bharatanatyam, started medicine center, printing press.
Maratha Legacy
- Largest Indian empire before British; challenged Mughals.
- Efficient administration; revived Hindu traditions without bias.
- Swarājya inspired freedom movement.
Key Points:
- Shivaji founded kingdom; resisted Mughals.
- Pan-India expansion in 18th century.
- British won from Marathas.
- Forts key for survival.
- Navy challenged Europeans.
- Boosted cultural confidence, innovation.
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