Maratha's empire rose to prominence after the death of Aurangzeb in 1707. This was followed by a 50-year period of rapid Maratha Empire expansion into North India under the great Peshwa Baji Rao I and his equally illustrious brother Chimanji Appa. They conquered Gujarat, Central India, and Orissa, subdued Rajputana, raided Bengal, and imposed Chauth on Bengal and Tiruchirapalli in Tamil Nadu. The first phase lasted from 1741 to 1752. It began with Baji Rao's death and the final Mughal cession of Malwa and Gujarat. In this article, we will discuss the First Phase (1741-52) of the Maratha Advance into Doab and Punjab which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

First Phase (1741-52) - Features

• In the first phase (1741-1752), the Marathas concentrated their efforts on establishing their claim to the Chauth of so-called "frontier" areas.
• In 1741, Raghuji Bhonsle raided Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa for Chauth.
• These raids became an annual occurrence after Shahu "allotted" Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa to Raghuji in 1743.
• Despite strong opposition from Nawab Alivardi Khan, an agreement was reached with him in 1751, under which the Chauth of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa was fixed at Rs.12,000 annually, and areas of south Orissa were given to Raghuji in exchange.
• Raghuji Bhonsle was also given the authority to appoint the governor of the province. As a result, the Marathas effectively took over Orissa.
• The Marathas fought for control of Karnataka and Khandesh in the Deccan against Nizam (Asaf Jah) and his successor, Nasir Jang.
• Raghuji Bhonsle raided Karnataka, but due to Raghuji's involvement with Bengal and Orissa, the Nizam was able to establish his dominance in the state for the time being.
• The conflict between the Peshwa and Bussy, the Frenchman who had ruled Haiderabad since Asaf Jah's death in 1748, ended in a draw.
• Bussy was forced to hand over the remaining revenues of Khandesh, the western half of Berar, and the small province of Baglana. The reason for this was the Treaty of Bhalke (1751).
• Rajasthan was a third stronghold for the Marathas. By interfering in internal affairs, including succession disputes, the Peshwa's lieutenants, Holkar and Sindhia, were successful in forcing most Rajput states to agree to pay Chauth and sometimes campaigning expenses (Khandani) to the Marathas.
• It should be noted that the Mughal Emperors used to settle Rajput succession disputes.
• The arrival of the Marathas in this region also signalled the decline of the Mughal Emperor's power and prestige.
• The Marathas' entry into Rajasthan can only be explained tactically as a first step toward gaining control of Agra, Delhi, and the Punjab region.
• Instead of taxing the Rajput rajas in the name of Chauth, the Rajput rajas needed to be made friends with.
• Rajasthan was essentially a deficit state, with many rulers relying heavily on jagir income from outside the state. Rajput Sardars and soldiers were employed in large numbers by Mughal nobles.
• The Rajputs' growing resentment of the Marathas led to the assassination of approximately 5000 Marathas in Jaipur by citizens and followers of Madho Singh in 1751.
• According to Jadunath Sarkar, "the shock of this blow spread outside the capital."
• In the villages, the Rajputs rose up and slaughtered the Marathas' couriers wherever they could find them.
• This was not the first "explosion of Rajput hatred." Previously, Jayappa Sindhia was assassinated by Vijai Singh, the grandson and successor of Abai Singh of Marwa.
• These examples demonstrate the negative impact of the narrow and self-centred Maratha attitude toward Rajasthan, for which Peshwa and his lieutenants, Sindhias and Holkar must be held accountable.

Conclusion

During the period of 1741- 52, Marathas focused their efforts to get the Chauth from frontier areas. Initially, Marathas raided Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa for Chauth. Later an agreement was signed with Nawab Alivardi Khan, according to which, Marathas would get a fixed Chauth of Rs. 12,000 per year from the areas of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa. During this period Marathas also gained Chauth over many Rajasthan states by involving in their internal affairs.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which of the following was a key factor behind the Maratha advance into the Doab and Punjab?

A. To challenge the Maratha Empire
B. To fill the power vacuum left by the declining Mughal Empire
C. To support Mughal authority in the region
D. To establish British influence in India

2. Who was the key Maratha leader involved in the initial campaigns in the Doab and Punjab?

A. Shahu Maharaj
B. Baji Rao I
C. Shivaji Maharaj
D. Balaji Baji Rao

3. What was the main aim of the Maratha advance into the Doab and Punjab?

A. To expand Maratha influence in northern India
B. To defeat the Sikhs
C. To consolidate Mughal power
D. To establish a Maratha kingdom in the north

4. Which of the following regional powers resisted the Maratha advance in Punjab?

A. Rajputs
B. Sikhs
C. Mughals
D. Jats

5. What was the outcome of the Maratha advance into the Doab and Punjab?

A. Complete Maratha domination in the north
B. Maratha defeat and withdrawal
C. Maratha presence remained, but Mughal authority weakened
D. Establishment of a Maratha kingdom in the north

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

1. Analyze the impact of the Maratha advance into the Doab and Punjab on the Mughal Empire.

Answer: The Maratha advance into the Doab and Punjab severely weakened the Mughal Empire, which was already in decline. The Marathas effectively challenged the Mughal’s northern hegemony, forcing the Mughal rulers to divert resources from other parts of the empire to counter Maratha incursions. This further destabilized the Mughal rule, contributing to the empire’s eventual disintegration. The Marathas, despite facing resistance from local powers like the Sikhs, established a lasting presence in the region, which continued to shape the political landscape of northern India.

2. Discuss the reasons behind the Maratha’s military success in northern India during the 18th century.

Answer: The Marathas’ military success in northern India can be attributed to several factors: their mobile cavalry, experienced leadership under commanders like Baji Rao I, and their ability to exploit the weakening Mughal authority. The Marathas’ strategy focused on swift and aggressive military campaigns, which allowed them to disrupt Mughal operations and maintain control over strategic regions. Additionally, the Marathas took advantage of the political fragmentation in northern India and the decline of centralized power, making it easier to expand their territory in the north.

3. Examine the role of regional powers in resisting the Maratha advance into Punjab.

Answer: Regional powers like the Sikhs played a significant role in resisting the Maratha advance. The Sikhs, who were establishing their own power in Punjab, saw the Marathas as a rival force. Their resistance was not just military but also ideological, as they sought to preserve their independence and protect their religious identity. The conflict between the Marathas and the Sikhs added another layer of complexity to the political landscape of the region, leading to a prolonged struggle for dominance.

Previous Year Questions on Maratha Advance

UPSC CSE Prelims 2018

Question: Which of the following events is associated with the Maratha expansion into northern India during the 18th century?
A. The Battle of Plassey
B. The Maratha conquest of Delhi
C. The Maratha advance into the Doab and Punjab
D. The fall of the Mughal Empire

Answer: C

Explanation: The Maratha advance into the Doab and Punjab was a crucial military campaign during the 18th century aimed at expanding Maratha influence in northern India, weakening Mughal power.