The Rise of the Marathas
Questions and activities
1. Analyse how geography (particularly mountains and coastlines) guided Maratha military strategy and state formation.
Answer:-
1. The Marathas lived in the Deccan region, which has many mountains and hills.
2. They used the Sahyadri mountains to build strong forts like Raigad, Pratapgad, and Sinhagad.
3. These forts gave them safe shelter and control over important routes.
4. The mountains also helped them use guerrilla warfare, attacking enemies suddenly and then hiding in forests and hills.
5. Coastlines of western India gave them access to the Arabian Sea.
6. Shivaji built a strong navy to protect the coast from the Portuguese, English, and other European powers.
7. Ports and coastal areas also helped them in trade and collecting wealth for the kingdom.
8. Thus, mountains provided defence on land, and the coastline gave strength on sea.
9.Together, these geographical features guided Maratha military strategy and the growth of their state.
2. Imagine you are creating a short biography of a Maratha leader for younger students. Choose one personality (Kanhoji Angre, Bajirao I, Mahadji Shinde, Ahilyabai Holkar or Tarabai) and write 3-4 paragraphs highlighting what makes them inspirational. Include at least one challenge they overcame.
Answer:- (on Ahilyabai Holkar):
1. Ahilyabai Holkar was one of the most respected women leaders of the Marathas.
2. She was born in 1725 and later became the ruler of Malwa after the death of her husband and son.
3. Even though she faced great personal loss, she showed courage and ruled the kingdom wisely for about thirty years.
4. Ahilyabai cared deeply for her people.
5. She built roads, wells, temples, and ghats to help common people live better lives.
6. She also encouraged trade and helped farmers in times of need.
7. One of the biggest challenges she faced was ruling alone after losing her family.
8. Many thought a woman could not be a strong ruler, but she proved them wrong with her intelligence and fairness.
9. She protected her kingdom and earned the love and respect of her subjects.
10. Ahilyabai Holkar is remembered as an inspirational queen who combined kindness, bravery, and wisdom.
11. She showed that even in difficult times, good leadership and care for people can make a kingdom strong.
3.If you could visit one Maratha fort today (such as Raigad, Sindhudurg, Gingee, or Pratapgad), which would you choose and why? Research its history, architecture, and strategic importance. Present your findings as a digital presentation or a poster in class.
Answer :- Chosen Fort: Sindhudurg
Why I Chose Sindhudurg: I would choose to visit Sindhudurg Fort because it is a remarkable sea fort built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, showcasing his vision for a strong Maratha navy. Located on an island off the Malvan coast in Maharashtra, it represents the Marathas’ maritime strength and their ability to challenge European naval dominance. Visiting Sindhudurg would allow me to explore its unique island setting and learn about its role in protecting the Maratha coastline.
History:
- Sindhudurg Fort was constructed between 1664 and 1667 under Shivaji’s orders to secure the Konkan coastline and strengthen Maratha maritime power.
- The fort was built to counter European powers like the Portuguese, Dutch, and English, who controlled much of the sea trade at the time.
- It served as a naval base for the Maratha fleet, led by admirals like Kanhoji Angre, who successfully challenged European ships and even demanded trade passes from them.
- The fort remained a key Maratha stronghold, never captured by enemies during Shivaji’s time, and it symbolized Maratha resistance to foreign control over coastal trade.
Architecture:
- Sindhudurg Fort is built on Kurte Island, covering about 48 acres, surrounded by the Arabian Sea, making it naturally fortified.
- The fort’s walls are 30 feet high and 12 feet thick, designed to withstand sea waves and enemy attacks, with 52 bastions (buruj) for defense.
- It has a hidden entrance beneath the walls to confuse invaders, and the main gate is designed in a zigzag pattern for added security.
- Key structures include a temple dedicated to Shivaji (a rare feature, as he was worshipped as a hero), a Bhavani temple, and water tanks for self-sufficiency.
- The fort’s construction used advanced techniques, with lead mixed into the mortar to make it resistant to seawater erosion.
Strategic Importance:
- Sindhudurg’s island location made it nearly impregnable, as enemies had to cross the sea to attack, which was difficult without a strong navy.
- It served as a base for the Maratha navy to patrol the Konkan coast, protect trade routes, and disrupt European shipping that refused to pay Maratha trade passes.
- The fort’s design supported quick naval operations, allowing the Marathas to launch surprise attacks on enemy ships using their knowledge of local waters.
- Its position helped the Marathas monitor and control the lucrative coastal trade, ensuring economic strength and challenging European monopolies.
Presentation Idea (for Digital Presentation or Poster):
- Title: “Sindhudurg Fort: The Maratha Sea Stronghold”
- Sections:
1. Introduction: Explain why Sindhudurg is special as a sea fort and why I chose it.
2. Historical Importance: Timeline of its construction (1664-1667), its role in Maratha naval victories, and Kanhoji Angre’s contributions.
3. Architecture: Diagrams or images of the fort’s island layout, thick walls, hidden entrance, and temples, highlighting its sea-resistant design.
4. Strategic Role: Map of the Konkan coast showing Sindhudurg’s location and its importance in controlling maritime trade.
5. Fun Facts: Mention unique features like Shivaji’s handprint and footprint preserved in the fort, and its current status as a tourist site.
6. Visuals: Include a map of the Malvan coast, photos of the fort’s walls and sea views, and an illustration of a Maratha ship attacking a European vessel.
7. Conclusion: Highlight Sindhudurg’s role in establishing Maratha naval power and its lasting legacy as a symbol of Shivaji’s vision for Swarājya.
4. The chapter states, “The British took India from the Marathas more than from the Mughals or any other power.” What do you think this means? What evidence from the chapter supports this idea?
Answer:-
1. This means that when the British became powerful in India, the biggest Indian power they had to defeat was the Marathas, not the Mughals.
2. By the 18th century, the Mughal Empire had already become weak.
3. The Marathas, on the other hand, had become the largest Indian empire controlling most of central and northern India.
4. The British fought three big wars with the Marathas, called the Anglo-Maratha Wars (1775-1818).
5. Finally, because of the Marathas’ internal disunity and the British having better organisation and technology, the Marathas were defeated.
6. After this, the British took control of Delhi and other large parts of India.
7. That is why it is said that the British captured India mainly from the Marathas, more than from the Mughals or any other Indian power.
5.Compare how Shivaji and later Marathas treated religious places and people of different faiths. What evidence from the chapter shows their approach to religious diversity?
Answer:-
1. Shivaji respected all religions while promoting Hindu traditions.
2. He spared religious places during the sacking of Surat (line 225).
3. He rebuilt temples and promoted Marathi and Sanskrit (line 463).
4. He opposed the slave trade, showing care for all people (line 272).
5. Later Marathas, like Ahilyabai Holkar, rebuilt temples like Kashi Vishwanath (line 478).
6. The Bhonsles supported Jagannath worship in Puri (line 474).
7. Thanjavur Marathas created a mix of Tamil, Telugu, and Marathi cultures (line 488).
8. Both Shivaji and later Marathas governed without religious discrimination.
9. But later Marathas sometimes caused harm, like in Bengal (line 343).
6. The chapter describes how forts were ‘the core of the state’ for Marathas. Why were they so important? How did they help the Marathas survive against larger enemies?
Answer:-
1. Forts were the core of the Maratha state because they gave protection.
2. The chapter says forts helped the Marathas survive invasions (line 426).
3. Shivaji built and controlled many forts, like Raigad and Pratapgad (line 188).
4. Forts were built on mountains, making them hard to attack.
5. They were used to store weapons, food, and shelter the army.
6. Forts helped in guerrilla warfare by providing safe bases (line 206).
7. Even when Aurangzeb invaded, forts kept the Marathas strong (line 426).
8. Forts controlled important routes, helping the Marathas rule the region.
7. You have been appointed as the chief designer for Maratha coins. Design a coin that represents Maratha achievements and values. Explain the symbols you chose.
Answer:-
1. My coin would be round, made of gold, to show Maratha wealth.
2. Front Side: It would have an image of a fort, symbolizing strength.
3. Forts were the core of the Maratha state (line 426).
4. The fort would be surrounded by a saffron flag, showing Swarājya (line 463).
5. Back Side: It would show a ship, representing the Maratha navy.
6. The navy, led by Kanhoji Angre, fought Europeans (line 432).
7. The coin would have “Shri Raja Shiva Chhatrapati” in Devanagari script.
8. This script shows Maratha cultural pride (line 398).
9. These symbols show Maratha power, culture, and independence.
8. After this introduction to the Maratha period, what do you think was their most important contribution to Indian history? Write a paragraph supporting your opinion with examples from the chapter. Then share and discuss your ideas with classmates.
Answer:-
1. The Marathas’ most important contribution was inspiring Indians to govern themselves.
2. Their idea of Swarājya, or self-rule, gave people hope (line 513).
3. Shivaji’s fight against the Mughals showed Indians could defeat big empires (line 465).
4. His navy challenged European powers, showing Indian strength (line 432).
5. Ahilyabai Holkar rebuilt temples, preserving Indian culture (line 478).
6. The Thanjavur Marathas supported arts like Bharatanatyam (line 485).
7. This inspired India’s freedom movement later (line 513).
8. I would discuss with classmates how Swarājya shaped India’s future.
The Big Questions (Page 61)
1. Who were the Marathas? How did they manage to become the largest pan-Indian power before the British took over?
Answer:-
- The Marathas were a group of people from the Deccan plateau, mainly Maharashtra, who spoke Marathi.
- They rose to power under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the 17th century by uniting against the Deccan sultanates and Mughals.
- Shivaji’s vision of Swarājya (self-rule) inspired them to build a strong kingdom using guerrilla warfare and capturing forts.
- His navy secured coastal regions, giving them control over trade and resources.
- After Shivaji, leaders like Peshwa Bajirao I and Mahadji Shinde expanded Maratha rule across central and northern India.
- Their strategic use of forts, cavalry, and alliances helped them become the largest Indian power before the British.
2.What were some features of their governance?
Answer:-
- Shivaji established a centralized administration with salaried officials, abolishing hereditary posts.
- He had a council of eight ministers (ashta pradhāna mandala) to manage finance, justice, military, and foreign affairs.
- Taxes like chauth (25%) and sardeshmukhi (10%) were collected from provinces not directly ruled, in exchange for protection.
- The judicial system used panchayats for local justice, with appeals possible to Maratha chiefs.
- Shivaji cared for his people, giving pensions to widows of soldiers and ensuring officials did not oppress subjects.
- The Marathas later adopted a decentralized system where regional chiefs and Peshwas held significant power.
3.What impact did the Maratha Empire leave in Indian history?
Answer:-
- The Marathas challenged Mughal dominance, becoming the largest Indian empire before British rule.
- They revived Hindu traditions and promoted Marathi and Sanskrit culture without discriminating against other religions.
- Their navy resisted European control, showing Indian maritime strength under leaders like Kanhoji Angre.
- Maratha women like Tarabai and Ahilyabai Holkar contributed to military strategy and cultural restoration, like rebuilding temples.
- Their idea of Swarājya inspired Indians to believe in self-governance, planting seeds for the freedom movement.
- They left a legacy of efficient administration, cultural revival, and resistance against foreign powers.
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