The Marathas were a Marathi-speaking warrior people from the western Deccan Plateau (modern-day Maharashtra) who rose to prominence through the establishment of Hindavi Swarajya (meaning "self-rule of Hindus"). Under the leadership of Shivaji, who revolted against the Adil Shahi dynasty and the Mughals to carve out a kingdom with Raigad as its capital in the 17th century, the Marathas rose to prominence. In this article, we will discuss the Rise of the Marathas which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Rise of Marathas - Background

• Raigad was the capital of the Maratha Empire, which began as a small kingdom in western India.
• The famous Maratha Chief Shivaji Maharaj established a Hindavi-Swarajya by leading Marathas against the Sultan of Bijapur (Adil Shahi Dynasty).
• Shivaji was crowned as Chatrapati, or Sovereign, in 1674.
• Shivaji's son, Sambhaji, was seized and executed by Aurangzeb's army in Deccan, while his son, Shahu, was taken, prisoner.
• Bahadur Shah I liberated Shahu in 1707, and the Marathas quickly established themselves.
• The states of Satara and Kolhapur were established, and Shahu appointed Balaji Vishwanath to the position of Sena-Karte (Organizer of Forces). Later, the post of Peshwa, or Prime Minister, was created.
• Balaji and his ancestors played a significant role in Maratha's growth.
• Because of their mobility, they were able to maintain a strong position even further during the Mughal-Maratha Wars.
• As a result, their empire stretched to Tamil Nadu in the south, Peshawar in the north, and Bengal in the east.

Factors Responsible for Rise of Marathas

• The character of the Marathas: All of the Marathas are energetic, hardy, and preserving. If they lack the Rajputs' pride and dignity, they also lack the Rajputs' indolence and lack of worldly wisdom. And all of these characteristics were a result of their country's unique physical characteristics.
• Influence of language and literature: Eknath promoted pride in the Marathas' home tongue, which contributed to a sense of belonging and togetherness among the Marathas.
• The geographical conditions: Maharashtra's geographic position and natural attributes aided the Maratha Empire's ascent to dominance.
• A big portion of Maratha's country is a plateau, and the Marathas had to fight for survival. As a result of this, the Marathas were brave and hardworking.
• Guerilla warfare: Because of the rugged terrain, the Marathas were able to use guerilla warfare to great effect. Soldiers were accommodated in the villages' dispersed sections. The invaders were vulnerable to surprise attacks from forts on the crests of hills.
• Training in the art of administration: The Marathas had gained expertise and instruction in the art of administration long before Shivaji's ascent to power.
• A large number of Marathas worked for the Muslim rulers of the Deccan in various departments, particularly the tax department.
• The Maratha Jagirdars had a significant part in the political affairs of Bijapur, Ahmednagar, Berar, and Golkonda, among other states. Maratha statesmen and warriors effectively governed several departments.
• The unstable political condition of the South: The Muslim kingdoms in the south were on the verge of collapsing. The political climate was ideal for the Marathas to rise to power.
• The charismatic personality of Shivaji: Before Shivaji Maharaj's ascension, the Maratha race was scattered like atoms among several Deccan kingdoms.
• Shivaji united them into a powerful nation despite the opposition of four powerful forces: the Mughal Empire, Bijapur, Portuguese India, and the Abyssinians of Janjira.
• He was not only the founder of the Maratha Empire, but also the greatest constructive genius of medieval India, and the remembrance of a true hero like Shivaji has left an indelible historical legacy for humanity.

Rise of Marathas - Features

• The Mughul rulers of later times were just emperors in the name.
• In the eighteenth century, the Maratha chiefs became the country's most powerful rulers.
• The rise of the Marathas was the result of the efforts of the entire Maratha people, who gave birth to Maratha nationalism and sought to form their own independent state based on the unity of their language, literature, community, and homeland.
• The growth of Maratha's nationalism and political power was influenced by a number of reasons.
• Maharashtra's geographical location aided the Marathas' rise to power. The vast majority of Maharashtra is a plateau where man must fight for survival.
• Maharashtra's central location on the Indian subcontinent gave the Marathas an easy way to expand their dominance both to the south and north.
• Economic disparities among the Marathas were minimal because there were few people who could be considered wealthy.
• Apart from Aurangzeb's neglect of the affairs of the Deccan and his attempt to conquer the entire Deccan, sparked Maratha's resistance.
• Mughal power was gradually growing in south India and during the reign of Aurangzeb, the Marathas felt that, probably, the entire south India would be under Mughals.
• That united them to fight against the Mughals for safeguarding their larger interests.
• The Marathas were enjoying several privileges under the patronage of Muslim states of the Deccan.
• They could not expect to enjoy all of the privileges under Aurangzeb's rule that they had enjoyed under the Deccan's weak Muslim kings under his rule.
• As a result, the Marathas decided to form an alliance against the Mughals.
• The Marathas were bonded together by Shivaji into a formidable mobile military force.
• The Marathas battled for the preservation of their faith and territory against the Mughals.
• The Marathas are credited with bringing the Mughal Empire to an end throughout most of India's subcontinent.

Conclusion

In the 18th century, the Maratha Empire, afterwards known as the Maratha Confederacy, dominated a substantial chunk of early modern India. In Indian history, the rise of the Marathas in the seventeenth century is a significant and fascinating event. This rise is mostly attributed to Shivaji and the circumstances that moulded his and his supporters' personalities.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Who is considered the founder of the Maratha Empire?

A. Peshwa Baji Rao I
B. Shivaji Bhonsle
C. Sambhaji
D. Shahu Maharaj

2. What is the term used for the 25% tax levied by the Marathas on conquered territories?

A. Sardeshmukhi
B. Zakat
C. Chauth
D. Khiraj

3. Which of the following best describes Shivaji's military strategy?

A. Guerrilla warfare
B. Naval blockades
C. Siege warfare
D. Diplomatic treaties

4. After the death of Aurangzeb, who played a key role in expanding the Maratha Confederacy?

A. Sambhaji
B. Rajaram
C. Peshwa Baji Rao I
D. Shahaji

5. Which geographical feature helped the Marathas in their resistance against external invasions?

A. Indo-Gangetic Plain
B. Western Ghats
C. Thar Desert
D. Satpura Range

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Analyze the factors that led to the rise of the Marathas as a dominant power in medieval India.

Answer: The rise of the Marathas as a dominant power can be attributed to several factors. Shivaji's leadership was instrumental, as he introduced guerrilla warfare tactics to counter larger Mughal armies. The geographical advantage of the Western Ghats and the Deccan Plateau provided natural fortifications for their defense. The Marathas were economically empowered through taxation systems like chauth and sardeshmukhi, which allowed them to sustain military campaigns. The decline of the Mughal Empire after Aurangzeb’s death created a power vacuum, which the Marathas successfully filled, expanding their empire across much of India.

Q2: Discuss the role of the Peshwas in the expansion of the Maratha Empire after the death of Shivaji.

Answer: After the death of Shivaji, the Peshwas became the de facto rulers of the Maratha Confederacy. Peshwa Baji Rao I is particularly credited with expanding Maratha influence beyond the Deccan into northern and central India. Under the Peshwas, the Marathas established a confederacy of semi-autonomous regions, effectively extending their control over large parts of the subcontinent. Madhavrao I also contributed to stabilizing the empire by consolidating Maratha power and improving governance. The Peshwas used a combination of military prowess and diplomatic alliances to expand the Maratha sphere of influence.

Q3: How did the Maratha taxation system, particularly chauth and sardeshmukhi, contribute to their economic strength?

Answer: The Marathas employed an efficient taxation system that helped them consolidate their economic strength. Chauth, a 25% levy on revenue from territories under Maratha control, became a significant source of income. In addition, sardeshmukhi, an additional 10% levy, was imposed on top of chauth, further enhancing their financial resources. These taxes enabled the Marathas to fund their military campaigns, maintain forts, and expand their empire. The collection of these taxes from regions like Bengal, Orissa, and Mysore also symbolized Maratha political influence over these areas.

Previous Year Questions on Rise of the Marathas

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2021

Question: Which of the following taxes was imposed by the Marathas on territories under their control?
A. Zakat
B. Khiraj
C. Chauth
D. Jizya

Answer: C

Explanation: The Marathas imposed chauth, a 25% tax on revenue from territories they controlled, which became a key source of income for their empire.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019 (GS Paper 1)

Question: Examine the role of Shivaji in laying the foundation of the Maratha Empire and his military strategies against the Mughals.

Explanation: Shivaji Bhonsle laid the foundation of the Maratha Empire by establishing an independent kingdom in the Deccan. His military strategies, particularly his use of guerrilla warfare, allowed him to successfully challenge the larger and more powerful Mughal forces. Shivaji’s capture of key forts, his naval strength, and his ability to inspire loyalty among his soldiers were instrumental in his success. His leadership not only established the Maratha Empire but also set the stage for its later expansion under the Peshwas.