The ruins of the Mughal Empire and its political system gave rise to a slew of independent and semi-independent powers, including Bengal, Hyderabad, Mysore, Rajputs and the Maratha Kingdom. 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). In this article, we will discuss The Maratha and Other Indian States and Society in the 18th Century which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Marathas

• Shivaji's son, Sambhaji, was seized and executed by Aurangzeb's army in Deccan, while his son, Shahu, was taken, prisoner.
• After the death of Aurangzeb, Shahu (grandson of Shivaji Maharaj) was released and a civil war erupted between Shahu and his aunt Tarabai, who had carried on the fight against the Mughals with her son Shivaji II.
• Shahu won this war with the assistance of Balaji Vishwanath, who later became Peshwa.
• 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 successors played a significant role in Maratha's growth.
• Balaji Vishwanath was an effective administrator who rallied many Maratha chiefs to Shahu's side.
• Except for Kolhapur, where Tarabai ruled, Shahu's Empire now encompassed all of Maharashtra.
• After the Maratha civil war was over, control of the state gradually shifted from Shivaji's line to the Peshwas.
• Balaji Vishwanath died in 1720, and his 20-year-old son Baji Rao I succeeded him as Peshwa.
• When Baji Rao died in 1740, the Marathas had gained control of Malwa, Gujarat, and parts of Bundelkhand.
• During this time, the Maratha families of Gaekwad, Holkar, Sindhia, and Bhonsle rose to prominence.
• He had changed the character of the Maratha state in just 20 years.
• It had evolved from the Maharashtra kingdom into an Empire that was spreading to the north.
• Baji Rao, on the other hand, failed to lay solid foundations for an empire. New territories were conquered and occupied, but their administration received little attention.
• The Maratha forces led by Sadashiv Rao Bhao were routed by Abdali in the crucial Third Battle of Panipat, signalling the beginning of the decline of Maratha power.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link The Marathas

Shivaji (1627-1680)

• Shivaji Bhonsle I, also known as Chhatrapati Shivaji, was an Indian ruler who belonged to the Bhonsle Maratha clan.
• From the declining Adilshahi sultanate of Bijapur, Shivaji carved out his own independent kingdom, laying the groundwork for the Maratha Empire.
• At Raigad Fort, he was formally crowned Chhatrapati of his realm in 1674.
• Shivaji was born in 1627 in Shivner. Shahji Bhonsle was his father, and Jija Bai was his mother. In 1637, he inherited the jagir of Poona from his father.
• Shivaji took full control of his jagir after his guardian, Dadaji Kondadev, died in 1647. He had already taken over Raigarh, Kondana, and Torna from the ruler of Bijapur.
• He kidnapped Javli from a Maratha chief named Chanda Rao More. As a result, he became the ruler of the Mavala region.
• In 1657, he attacked the Bijapur kingdom and captured a number of Konkan hill forts. The Sultan of Bijapur dispatched Afzal Khan to oppose Shivaji. However, Shivaji assassinated Afzal Khan in a daring manner in 1659.
• Shivaji's military victories established him as a legendary figure in the Maratha region. Many people volunteered to join his army.
• The Mughal emperor Aurangazeb was watching the rise of Maratha power under Shivaji with bated breath.
• He dispatched Shaista Khan, the Mughal governor of the Deccan, against Shivaji. Shivaji was defeated by Mughal forces and lost control of Poona.
• However, in 1663, Shivaji launched another daring attack on Shaista Khan's military camp at Poona, killing his son and injuring Khan.
• Khan's reputation suffered as a result of his daring attack, and he was summoned by Aurangazeb. Shivaji plundered and attacked Surat, the Mughals' main port, in 1664.
• This time, Aurangazeb dispatched Raja Jai Singh of Amber to fight Shivaji. He made elaborate preparations and was successful in besieging the Purander fort, which housed Shivaji's family and treasure.
• In 1665, Shivaji began negotiations with Jai Singh, and the Treaty of Purandar was signed.
• According to the treaty, Shivaji was required to surrender 23 of his 35 forts to the Mughals. The remaining 12 forts were to be handed over to Shivaji in exchange for service and loyalty to the Mughal empire.
• The Mughals, on the other hand, recognised Shivaji's right to hold certain parts of the Bijapur kingdom.
• As a result of Shivaji's request to be exempted from personal service to the Mughals, his minor son Shambaji was granted a mansab of 5000 rupees.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Shivaji (1627-1680)

Other Indian States under Maratha Kingdom

• By the end of Sahu's reign, a few powerful Maratha Kingdoms had complete control of their respective territories.
• During this time, the territories under their control developed sophisticated networks of trade, banking, and finance.
• A much larger domain of activity emerged away from the Marathas' original heartland. The Gaikwads (Gaekwars), Scindias, and Holkars were the most powerful of these chiefs.
• The Bhonsle family also had branches in Kolhapur and Nagpur, while the main line remained in the Deccan heartland, at Satara.

The Bhonsles

• The Bhonsles of Nagpur were a Maratha royal house that ruled the Kingdom of Nagpur from 1739 to 1853.
• They were from the Maratha Bhonsle clan and were one of the most powerful Maratha chiefs in the Maratha Empire.
• The Bhonsale family were originally headmen from Deor, a village in Satara district, under the forts Chandan Vandan (currently in Koregaon Taluka, District Satara and was under Deshmukhi rights of Bhoite Clan).

The Gaikwads

• The Gaekwads of Baroda are a Hindu dynasty that originated with the former Maratha Empire and its subsequent Princely States.
• From the early 18th century until 1947, a dynasty of this clan ruled the princely state of Baroda in western India.
• The ruler was known as Maharaja Gaekwad of Baroda. The Baroda Residency managed relations with the British during the British Raj, with the city of Baroda (Vadodara) as its capital.
• The Maratha general Pilaji Rao Gaekwad conquered Baroda from the Mughal Empire in 1721, establishing the Gaekwad rule. Chhatrapati Shahu I, the Chhatrapati of the Maratha empire, granted the Gaekwads the city as a Jagir.

Holkars and Scindias

Holkars

• The Holkar dynasty was an Indian Maratha clan of Dhangar origin.
• The Holkars served as generals under Peshwa Baji Rao I and later as Maharajas of Indore in Central India as an independent Maratha Empire member until 1818.
• Their kingdom later became a princely state under British India's protectorate.

Scindias

• The Scindia dynasty was a Hindu Maratha dynasty that ruled Gwalior in the past. In Wai, it had the patel-ship of Kumberkerrab.
• Ranoji Scindia founded it after working as a personal servant to Peshwa Bajirao I.
• Ranoji and his descendants, along with their rivals the Holkars, played a key role in the 18th century Maratha ascendency in North India.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Other Indian States under Peshwas

Economic Conditions in 18th Century

• The eighteenth century in India was marked by two critical transitions that altered the power structure and ushered in significant social and economic changes.
• The first was the transition from the Mughal Empire to regional political orders in the first half of the century. The second was the political, social, and economic transition.
• The East India Company steered its way to political dominance in the 18th century.
• The decline of Mughal authority resulted in the emergence of several independent kingdoms.
• India in the eighteenth century was a study in contrasts and contradictions. It must endure one of the most turbulent periods in its history.
• On the one hand, there were the wealthy and powerful nobles who lived in luxury and comfort; on the other, there were the backward, oppressed, and impoverished peasants who lived on the bare subsistence level and had to bear all manner of injustices and inequities.
• Agriculture was the people's primary source of income. Because the rulers were constantly at war, they did not have time to improve the agricultural conditions of the land.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Economic Condition in 18th Century

Social and Cultural Life in 18th Century

• In the 18th century, social life and culture were marked by stagnation and reliance on the past. Of course, there was no uniformity in culture and social patterns across the country.
• Similarly, not all Hindus and Muslims formed two distinct societies. Religion, region, tribe, language, and caste were all used to divide people.
• Furthermore, the social life and culture of the upper classes, who made up a tiny minority of the total population, differed in many ways from the life and culture of the lower classes.
• There was no pattern of unity in the people's social and cultural lives. There were divisions among them, whether Hindus or Muslims, based on region, tribe, language, and caste.
• Caste rules had to be followed in marriage, diet, interdining, and choosing a profession. Anyone found breaking the rules was likely to be expelled from the community.
• India, which was so advanced in science, had now neglected her mathematics and sciences. They were completely unaware of the scientific advances made by the West.
• During those times, teachers were well-respected members of society. Tradition was ingrained in education.
• Reading, writing, and arithmetic were also taught to the students. Girls rarely went to school.
• Local rulers, members of the aristocracy, and benevolent contributors supported education rather than the state.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Social and Cultural Life in 18th Century

Conclusion

In the 18th century, the decline of the Mughal Empire allowed local powers to assert their independence. However, the Mughal Emperor retained symbolic authority because it was regarded as a source of political legitimacy. The new states did not directly challenge the Mughals' authority, instead seeking its approval to legitimise their rule.

As a result, the emergence of these states in the eighteenth century represented a transformation rather than a collapse of the polity. It represented power decentralisation rather than a power vacuum or political chaos.

FAQs

Question. Who were the Marathas, and what role did they play in the 18th-century Indian politics?

Question. What was the structure of the Maratha state?

Question. What were the major challenges faced by the Marathas in the 18th century?

Question. How did the Maratha society function during the 18th century?

Question. How did the Marathas influence other Indian states during the 18th century?

MCQs

1. Who was the founder of the Maratha Empire?

A) Baji Rao I

B) Shivaji Maharaj

C) Nana Saheb

D) Ranjit Singh

2. Which of the following battles significantly weakened the Maratha Empire?

A) Battle of Plassey

B) Battle of Buxar

C) Third Battle of Panipat

D) Battle of Talikota

3. What was the role of the Peshwa in the Maratha Empire?

A) Military commander

B) Religious leader

C) Head of the Maratha Confederacy

D) King of the Maratha Empire

4. Which of the following Maratha leaders played a prominent role in the Maratha expansion?

A) Rani Durgavati

B) Baji Rao I

C) Sultan Tipu

D) Babur

5. The Maratha Confederacy primarily consisted of which type of system?

A) Monarchy

B) Feudal System

C) Republic

D) Theocracy

GS Mains Questions and Model Answer

Q1: Evaluate the role of the Marathas in the decline of the Mughal Empire in the 18th century.

Answer: The Marathas played a crucial role in the decline of the Mughal Empire in the 18th century through both military resistance and expansion. Under leaders like Shivaji and Baji Rao I, the Marathas challenged Mughal authority, especially in the Deccan and northern India. The Maratha invasions and repeated incursions into Mughal territories, including the sack of Delhi in 1737, significantly weakened Mughal control. The Third Battle of Panipat (1761) marked the peak of Maratha expansion, but their defeat left the Mughal Empire vulnerable to further decline. The Marathas' involvement in various parts of India ultimately contributed to the fragmentation of Mughal power.

Q2: Discuss the structure of the Maratha state and its military organization in the 18th century.

Answer: The Maratha state in the 18th century was characterized by a confederacy of regional powers under the nominal leadership of the Peshwa. The Maratha military was highly decentralized, consisting of local chieftains (like the Scindias, Holkars, and Bhonsles) who commanded their own forces but were united under the broader Maratha banner. The military was organized around cavalry, and light, mobile troops were the backbone of the Maratha military, making them effective in guerilla warfare. The Marathas were known for their swift and strategic attacks, often using surprise tactics. The Maratha Navy, although smaller than the Mughals' navy, played a crucial role in controlling the western coast and safeguarding trade routes.

Q3: How did the social structure of the Maratha Empire affect its governance and society in the 18th century?

Answer: The social structure of the Maratha Empire was largely feudal, with a hierarchical division of society that included the Peshwa, military leaders, Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and farmers. The Brahmins were highly respected for their roles as advisors, administrators, and scholars. Warriors or Kshatriyas held significant political and military power, while artisans and traders formed the lower economic classes. The social system was flexible, allowing for upward mobility, particularly for those who proved themselves in battle or governance. The decentralization of power allowed local chieftains considerable autonomy, but this also led to internal conflicts among the Maratha leaders, affecting the unity and governance of the empire.

Previous Year Questions on  Maratha and Other Indian States and Society

1. UPSC CSE 2020

Question: Discuss the political structure of the Maratha state and its role in the 18th-century Indian history.

Answer: This question focuses on the political structure of the Maratha state and its influence on 18th-century Indian history. The answer should cover the confederacy system, the role of the Peshwa, and the internal dynamics between various Maratha rulers. The candidate should also discuss how the Marathas contributed to the weakening of the Mughal Empire and the broader political landscape of India.

2. UPSC CSE 2019

Question: Examine the decline of the Maratha power in the 18th century and its impact on Indian politics.

Answer: The answer should discuss the factors contributing to the decline of Maratha power, such as internal divisions, the Third Battle of Panipat, and the eventual rise of British influence. The candidate should also explain how the Maratha decline led to the fragmentation of regional powers and set the stage for British expansion in India.