The Maratha State (1674-1818)
Nature: Emerged as a potent regional resistance to Mughal expansionism, evolving into a pan-India confederacy.
Key Feature: The perfection of Guerrilla Warfare (Ganimi Kava) and the use of the Ashtapradhan council.
Chhatrapati Shivaji (1630-1680): Founded Swaraj; killed Afzal Khan (Pratapgarh, 1659); sacked Surat (1664). Treaty of Purandar (1665) (ceded 23 forts). Coronation at Raigarh (1674).
Successors: Sambhaji (executed by Aurangzeb); Rajaram (ruled from Ginjee); Tarabai (Regent); Shahu (released 1707; Battle of Khed).
Ashtapradhan: Peshwa (PM), Amatya (Finance), Mantri (Records), Sachiv (Correspondence), Sumant (Foreign), Senapati (Army), Pandit Rao (Religious), Nyayadhish (Justice).
Military: Bargirs (State horses) vs Silahdars (Private horses). Kathi (measuring rod).
3. Revenue: Chauth & Sardeshmukhi
Chauth: 1/4th of the revenue collected from neighboring non-Maratha territories in exchange for protection from raids.
Sardeshmukhi: An additional 1/10th tax claimed as the hereditary head (Sardeshmukh) of all Maratha lineages.
Impact: Provided the economic muscle for military expansion but alienated local populations due to the double burden.
Balaji Vishwanath: 1st hereditary Peshwa; "Kingmaker" in Delhi (1719).
Baji Rao I: "Thorale"; Guerrilla genius; Palkhed (defeated Nizam); "Strike at the root" (against Mughals); Hindu-Pad-Padshahi.
Balaji Baji Rao (Nana Sahib): Peak of empire. Battle of Panipat III (1761) (vs Abdali).
Confederacy: Peshwas (Pune), Scindias (Gwalior), Holkars (Indore), Gaekwads (Baroda), Bhonsles (Nagpur). Mokasa (land grants).
5. Top UPSC Traps (Caution)
- 3rd Panipat (1761): The Maratha loss was primarily due to logistical failures in the freezing North and the reliance on heavy artillery in a stationary battle, which neutralized their traditional guerrilla advantage.
- Maratha-British Conflict: The Anglo-Maratha wars (1775-1818) were triggered by internal dissensions within the Peshwa court, not just British aggression.
- Shivaji's Navy: Uniquely among medieval Indian powers, Shivaji emphasized naval strength to guard against European maritime powers (Siddhi and Portuguese).
The Maratha State (1674-1818)
Nature: Emerged as a potent regional resistance to Mughal expansionism, evolving into a pan-India confederacy.
Key Feature: The perfection of Guerrilla Warfare (Ganimi Kava) and the use of the Ashtapradhan council.
Chhatrapati Shivaji (1630-1680): Founded Swaraj; killed Afzal Khan (Pratapgarh, 1659); sacked Surat (1664). Treaty of Purandar (1665) (ceded 23 forts). Coronation at Raigarh (1674).
Successors: Sambhaji (executed by Aurangzeb); Rajaram (ruled from Ginjee); Tarabai (Regent); Shahu (released 1707; Battle of Khed).
Ashtapradhan: Peshwa (PM), Amatya (Finance), Mantri (Records), Sachiv (Correspondence), Sumant (Foreign), Senapati (Army), Pandit Rao (Religious), Nyayadhish (Justice).
Military: Bargirs (State horses) vs Silahdars (Private horses). Kathi (measuring rod).
3. Revenue: Chauth & Sardeshmukhi
Chauth: 1/4th of the revenue collected from neighboring non-Maratha territories in exchange for protection from raids.
Sardeshmukhi: An additional 1/10th tax claimed as the hereditary head (Sardeshmukh) of all Maratha lineages.
Impact: Provided the economic muscle for military expansion but alienated local populations due to the double burden.
Balaji Vishwanath: 1st hereditary Peshwa; "Kingmaker" in Delhi (1719).
Baji Rao I: "Thorale"; Guerrilla genius; Palkhed (defeated Nizam); "Strike at the root" (against Mughals); Hindu-Pad-Padshahi.
Balaji Baji Rao (Nana Sahib): Peak of empire. Battle of Panipat III (1761) (vs Abdali).
Confederacy: Peshwas (Pune), Scindias (Gwalior), Holkars (Indore), Gaekwads (Baroda), Bhonsles (Nagpur). Mokasa (land grants).
5. Top UPSC Traps (Caution)
- 3rd Panipat (1761): The Maratha loss was primarily due to logistical failures in the freezing North and the reliance on heavy artillery in a stationary battle, which neutralized their traditional guerrilla advantage.
- Maratha-British Conflict: The Anglo-Maratha wars (1775-1818) were triggered by internal dissensions within the Peshwa court, not just British aggression.
- Shivaji's Navy: Uniquely among medieval Indian powers, Shivaji emphasized naval strength to guard against European maritime powers (Siddhi and Portuguese).