- Native to the Deccan plateau, mainly present-day Maharashtra.
- Spoke Marathi, a language with a rich literary history since the 12th century.
- Political roots go back to Yadava dynasty (Devagiri) until conquest by the Khiljis.
- Cultural foundation shaped by the Bhakti movement (saints like Dnyaneshwar, Namdev, Tukaram, Ramdas).
- Bhakti literature in Marathi strengthened social unity and political awareness.
- Shivaji Bhonsle born in 1630 to Shahji and Jijabai in Pune.
- Inspired by hardship under Deccan Sultanates, aimed for Swarājya (self-rule).
- At 16, began capturing forts and consolidating territory.
- Established a navy (1657) – revolutionary in Indian politics.
- Adopted guerrilla warfare to defeat larger armies (e.g., Afzal Khan at Pratapgad).
- Famous raids: Shaista Khan’s camp (1663) & Sack of Surat (1664, 1670).
- Faced Aurangzeb’s forces, signed Treaty of Purandar, escaped from Agra using fruit baskets.
- Coronated at Raigad in 1674; later conquered southern territories (Dakṣhiṇa-digvijaya).
- Forbade slave trading by Europeans; died in 1680.
- Sambhaji succeeded Shivaji; executed by Aurangzeb.
- Rajaram shifted base to Gingee; conflict spread to south India.
- Tarabai led northward expansion against Mughals after Aurangzeb’s death.
- Rise of Peshwas (Bajirao I, Nanasaheb) – expanded Maratha power pan-India.
- Controlled Delhi (1754) and even Lahore, Attock, Peshawar
- Defeat at Third Battle of Panipat (1761) but regained strength under Madhavrao I.
- Recaptured Delhi in 1771 (Mahadji Shinde).
- Anglo-Maratha wars (1775–1818) ended Maratha rule, largely due to internal disunity and British superiority.
- Civil Administration:
- Centralised under Shivaji; abolished hereditary posts, paid officials from state treasury.
- Care for soldiers’ families (pensions, posts for sons).
- Aṣhṭa Pradhāna Manḍala (8 ministers) – Pradhan (PM), Amatya (Finance), Sachiv (Land Revenue), Nyāyādhīsh (Justice), Panditrāo (Religious), Senāpati (Army), Mantrī (Intelligence), Sumant (Foreign).
- Taxes: Chauth (25%) & Sardeshmukhi (10% extra). - Military:
- Three arms: Infantry, Cavalry (Bārgīrs – state funded, Shiledārs – self-funded), Navy.
- Forts were the core of defence.
- Notable naval commander: Kanhoji Angre – challenged European sea control. - Judicial:
- Panchāyat delivered local justice; appeal possible to chief.
- Kotwāl maintained law & order in towns. - Trade:
- Encouraged maritime trade (Muscat, Mocha, Malacca).
- Built roads, ferries, bridges. - Cultural Contributions:
- Promoted Marathi & Sanskrit literature (Rājya-Vyavahāra-Koṣha).
- Rebuilt temples, respected other faiths.
- Used Devanagari script on coins & seals – assertion of cultural identity.
- Revived Hindu traditions without discrimination. - Role of Maratha Women
- Ahilyabai Holkar –
- ruled Indore for 30 years, rebuilt temples (Kashi Vishwanath, Somnath), promoted crafts (Maheshwar weaving). - Tarabai –
- led northward campaigns, preserved Maratha independence. - Marathas in Thanjavur:
Ekoji (Shivaji’s half-brother) founded Maratha rule there.
- Syncretic culture – blend of Tamil, Telugu, Marathi.
Serfoji II – patron of arts, Carnatic music, Bharatanatyam, medicine (Dhanwantari Mahal), printing press, temple inscriptions. - Legacy of the Marathas:
- Largest Indian empire before British rule.
- Fort-based strategy and strong navy challenged foreign dominance.
- Inspired later movements for self-rule (Swarājya).
- Contributed to cultural revival across India.
2-Mark Questions
Q: Who founded the Maratha Kingdom?
A: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj founded the Maratha Kingdom in the 17th century with the aim of establishing self-rule in the Deccan region.-
Q: What does the term Swarajya mean?
A: Swarajya means “self-rule” — a government run by the people of the land, free from foreign control and injustice. -
Q: What was the Ashta Pradhan Mandal?
A: The Ashta Pradhan Mandal was a council of eight ministers formed by Shivaji to assist him in administration and governance. -
Q: Why were forts important to the Marathas?
A: Forts helped the Marathas defend their land, control key routes, and protect themselves from larger enemy forces. -
Q: Name one Bhakti saint who inspired unity among the Marathas.
A: Saint Dnyaneshwar (Jnaneshwar) inspired unity through his spiritual teachings and writings in Marathi.
3-Mark Questions
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Q: Mention three important features of Shivaji’s administration.
A:-
Officials were appointed on the basis of merit and paid fixed salaries.
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The Ashta Pradhan council managed different departments like defence, finance, and justice.
Forts and regions were regularly inspected to prevent misuse of power.
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Q: How did the Bhakti Movement help in the rise of the Marathas?
A: The Bhakti saints spread messages of equality and devotion in the Marathi language, uniting people from different castes. This emotional and cultural unity created a strong foundation for the Maratha identity and later supported Shivaji’s political movement. -
Q: What military strategies did Shivaji use against stronger enemies?
A: Shivaji used guerrilla warfare, quick attacks and retreats, and relied on hill forts and a small navy to protect the coast and disrupt enemies’ trade and supplies. -
Q: How did the Marathas expand their power after Shivaji?
A: After Shivaji, Maratha chiefs expanded their power by collecting chauth and sardeshmukhi taxes from other regions, taking advantage of the weakening Mughal Empire, and forming a confederacy of powerful Maratha families. -
Q: What problems did the Marathas face in maintaining their rule?
A: The main problems were internal rivalry among Maratha chiefs, over-expansion of the empire, and difficulty in managing distant territories effectively.
5-Mark Questions
Q1. Explain the main achievements of Shivaji Maharaj.
Ans:
1. Foundation of the Maratha Empire: Shivaji united the Maratha chiefs and laid the foundation of an independent kingdom in the Deccan.
2. Military Success: He captured many forts like Torna, Raigarh, and Purandar and built a strong navy to protect the Konkan coast.
3. Efficient Administration: He established a well-organized administration with the Ashtapradhan council of ministers.
4. Religious Tolerance: Shivaji respected all religions and protected temples as well as mosques.
5. Coronation at Raigarh: In 1674, he was crowned Chhatrapati, marking the official beginning of the Maratha Empire.
Q2. Describe the administrative system of Shivaji Maharaj.
Ans:
1. Central Administration: Shivaji set up the Ashtapradhan council of eight ministers to assist him in governance.
2. Provincial Division: The kingdom was divided into provinces (prants) and villages for better management.
3. Revenue System: He introduced a fair tax system and abolished unjust taxes.
4. Military Organization: He maintained a disciplined army and navy for defense and expansion.
5. Justice and Welfare: He ensured quick justice, protection of people’s rights, and welfare of farmers and traders.
Q3. What were the causes for the rise of the Maratha power?
Ans:
1. Decline of the Mughal Empire: Weak Mughal control in the Deccan gave the Marathas an opportunity to rise.
2. Leadership of Shivaji: His bravery, vision, and administrative skill united the Marathas.
3. Geographical Advantage: The hilly terrain of the Western Ghats helped them in guerrilla warfare.
4. Strong Army and Navy: The Marathas had a powerful military system and used quick attack strategies.
5. Support of the People: Farmers, soldiers, and local chiefs supported Shivaji’s mission for independence.
Q4. Discuss the role of the Peshwas in expanding the Maratha Empire.
Ans:
1. Rise of the Peshwas: After Shivaji’s death, the Peshwas became the real leaders of the Maratha Empire.
2. Balaji Vishwanath: He organized the Maratha administration and established control over various regions.
3. Baji Rao I: He expanded the empire in North India and fought successful battles against the Mughals.
4. Balaji Baji Rao (Nana Saheb): He extended Maratha influence up to Delhi.
5. Maratha Power at Its Peak: Under the Peshwas, the Marathas became the most powerful force in India in the 18th century.
Q5. What were the main features of Shivaji’s military system?
Ans:
1. Regular Army: Shivaji maintained a well-trained standing army divided into infantry, cavalry, and navy.
2. Guerrilla Warfare: He used surprise attacks and quick retreats, taking advantage of the hilly terrain.
3. Fort System: Forts like Raigarh, Torna, and Sinhagad were used as defense and administrative centers.
4. Discipline: Soldiers were paid regular salaries and were not allowed to harm civilians.
5. Navy: Shivaji built a strong navy to protect the western coast from foreign powers.
Q: If you could time-travel and meet Shivaji, what three questions would you ask him and why?
Ans: If I could time-travel and meet Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, I would ask him these three questions:
1. “How did you inspire ordinary people to unite and fight for Swarājya against such powerful enemies?”
Reason: To understand his leadership qualities and how he motivated people from different backgrounds to
work together for a common cause.
2. “What was your vision for the future of the Maratha Empire beyond your lifetime?”
Reason: To know how he planned long-term governance and whether he foresaw challenges atier his rule.
3. “What personal qualities do you believe every ruler must have to serve the people well?”
Reason: To learn from his values and principles so they could guide modern leadership.
Q: Try to find out more about guerrilla warfare. Which other countries in the world adopted this method? What geographical advantages did they utilise for this?
Ans: Guerrilla warfare is a military tactic where small, mobile groups use surprise attacks, ambushes, and knowledge of local terrain to defeat larger, less mobile armies. It focuses on speed, secrecy, and avoiding open battles. Other countries that adopted guerrilla warfare:
- Vietnam – During the Vietnam War, the Viet Cong used dense jungles, swamps, and underground tunnels to launch surprise attacks on U.S. forces.
- Spain – In the early 19th century, Spanish fighters used mountains and villages to resist Napoleon’s army, giving the word “guerrilla” its origin.
- Afghanistan – Afghan fighters used rugged mountains and narrow valleys to resist both the Soviet Union in the 1980s and later U.S. forces.
- Cuba – Fidel Castro and Che Guevara used forested hills (Sierra Maestra mountains) for guerrilla campaigns against Batista’s regime.
Geographical advantages used:
- Forests and jungles for concealment and surprise movement.
- Mountains and hills for high-ground advantage and hidden pathways.
- Rivers and swamps to limit enemy mobility.
- Local villages for shelter, supplies, and intelligence.
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