The ruins of the Mughal Empire and its political system gave rise to a slew of independent and semi-independent powers including the Maratha. The Maratha Empire dominated a large portion of India in the 18th century. It was founded by Shivaj; he was a descendant of a noble family and a courageous warrior. Beginning with Balaji Vishwanath, the Peshwa's embarked on an expansionist policy that saw the Marathas reach their zenith. In this article, we will discuss The Marathas which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Geographical Extent of Marathas

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'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 successors played a significant role in Maratha's growth.

Expansion Policy of Marathas

• With Baji Rao's accession to the Peshwaship, the Maratha movement's character shifted from defensive to offensive, from national survival to empire building.
• This transformation did not happen overnight. The Marathas began regular raids into Gujarat and Malwa during the last years of Aurangzeb's reign, signalling a shift in the character of the struggle.
• But it wasn't until Baji Rao arrived on the scene that the new trend took the form of a firm policy.
• A protracted legal battle between Baji Rao and Pratinidhi Shripat Rao in the Maratha court preceded the new policy's implementation.
• The main issues with regards to this new policy were:
  • The direction and timing of Maratha's expansionist activities.
  • Nizam-ul-Mulk's attitude and the possibility of maintaining friendly relations with him.
  • Internal administration, particularly the problem of controlling the Maratha Sardars and restoring order to the finances, army, and so on.
  • Finally, there was the issue of power: who would preside over the King's councils, the Peshwa or the Pratinidhi.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Policy of Expansion of Marathas

The Marathas and Nizam-ul-Mulk

• The connection between the Maratha and the Nizam-ul-Mulk passed through numerous stages and had a considerable impact on Maratha activity in Malwa and Gujarat.
• As Viceroy of the Deccan from 1715 to 1717, Nizam-ul-Mulk fought the Maratha for control of the Deccan's Chauth and Sardeshmukhi and was nearly always at war with them - though with limited success.
• After Nizam’s victorious revolt against the Sayyids, Nizam-ul-Mulk praised the Imperial Farman for handing the Marathas the Chauth and Sardeshmukhi of the Deccan.
• Nizam met Baji Rao for the first time on January 4, 1721.

• Despite Nizam-ul- Mulk's best efforts to establish close ties with the young Peshwa, no long-term understanding was achieved.
• The most important point of dispute between the Marathas and Nizam-ul-Mulk was Karnataka.
• Nizam-ul-Mulk regarded Karnataka as his by right of succession to the kingdoms of Bijapur and Golconda.
• The Marathas, on the other hand, had been interested in Karnataka since at least Shahji's time and had always seen it as a delightful hunting field that they were resolved to plunder and put under tribute, paying little mind to his claims.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link The Marathas and Nizam-ul-Mulk

The Maratha Advance into Gujarat and Malwa

• 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.
• While the Marathas had sometimes raided Gujarat since 1705 and Malwa since 1699, these invasions didn't start to become frequent or well-planned until 1720.
• Initially Chauth was taken from these provinces, later on, they were merged.
• Maratha's demanded acknowledgement of their claims to Gujarat and Malwa.
• During his return to Delhi in 1719, Balaji Vishwanath received the command to gain the chauth of these two provinces as well.
• To establish their stronghold, Marathas’ attacks into the two regions became more frequent.
• The Marathas pressed for the reinstatement of their claims to Gujarat and Malwa.
• However, despite the financial and geopolitical significance of the provinces, neither Nizam nor the Mughals was eager to make such a commitment to the Marathas.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link The Maratha Advance into Gujarat and Malwa

The Maratha Advance into Doab and Punjab

• Maratha’s advancement into Doab and Punjab was divided into two distinct periods from 1741 to 1761.
• The first phase occurred between 1741 and 1752. It began with Baji Rao's death and the final Mughal cession of Malwa and Gujarat.
• Marathas gained the Chauth right over the area of Rajasthan, which opened the way for the Doab and Punjab region, while the entry of Marathas into the doab and Ahmad Shah Abdali into Punjab in 1752 marked a new chapter in Northern Indian politics.
• The preparations for the showdown between the Marathas and the Abdali for control of North India were in full swing between 1752 and 1761.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link The Maratha Advance into Doab and Punjab

Third Battle of Panipat

• The Third Battle of Panipat took place on 14 January 1761 at Panipat, between a northern expeditionary force of the Maratha Empire and the King of Afghanistan, Ahmad Shah Durrani, with two Indian Muslim allies—the Rohilla Afghans of the Doab and Shuja-Ud-Daula, the Nawab of Oudh.
• The battle is regarded as one of the largest fought battles in the 18th century with possibly the highest number of fatalities reported in a single day in a classic formation battle between two armies.
• The Mughal Empire's decline following the 27-year Mughal-Maratha war (1680–1707) resulted in rapid territorial gains for the Maratha Empire.
• Gujarat and Malwa came under Maratha control under Peshwa Baji Rao.
• Finally, on the outskirts of Delhi in 1737, Baji Rao defeated the Mughals, bringing much of the former Mughal territory south of Delhi under Maratha control.
• Baji Rao's son, Balaji Baji Rao (popularly known as Nana Saheb), expanded Maratha control by invading Punjab in 1758.
• This brought the Marathas into direct conflict with Ahmad Shah Abdali's Durrani empire.
• In 1759, he raised a Pashtun army and made several gains against the smaller Maratha garrisons in Punjab.
• He then formed a broad coalition against the Marathas with his Indian allies, the Rohilla Afghans of the Gangetic Doab.
• The Marathas, led by Sadashivrao Bhau, responded by amassing an army of 45,000–60,000 men, accompanied by approximately 200,000 non-combatants, many of whom were pilgrims on their way to Hindu holy sites in northern India.
• On March 14, 1760, the Marathas began their northward journey from Patdur.
• Both sides attempted to bring the Nawab of Awadh, Shuja-Ud-Daulah, into their respective camps.
• By late July, Shuja-Ud-Daulah had decided to join the Afghan-Rohilla coalition, preferring to join the 'army of Islam.'
• Shuja provided much-needed funds for the Afghans' lengthy stay in North India.
• It is doubtful that the Afghan-Rohilla coalition would be able to continue fighting the Marathas without Shuja's assistance.

Conclusion

In the 17th century, the Maratha Empire ruled over a significant portion of the Indian subcontinent. The empire officially began in 1674 with Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj's coronation and ended in 1818 with Peshwa Bajirao II's defeat at the hands of the British East India Company. Maratha empire became Maratha Confederacy when it was split into five kingdoms and then it became easy for the Britishers to defeat them.

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the military and administrative contributions of Shivaji Maharaj to the Maratha Empire.

Answer: Shivaji Maharaj introduced innovative military strategies, including guerilla warfare, which were crucial in resisting the Mughals and other adversaries. His well-organized forts, an effective intelligence network, and a navy protected the western coastline. Shivaji’s administrative reforms, such as introducing a centralized tax collection system (Chauth and Sardeshmukhi) and the Ashtapradhan (council of ministers), streamlined governance, enhanced local economy, and promoted efficient resource allocation, laying the foundation for a powerful Maratha state.

Q2: Examine the impact of the Third Battle of Panipat on the Maratha Empire.

Answer: The Third Battle of Panipat marked a significant setback for the Marathas, weakening their northern influence and causing a decline in their military and financial resources. Although they managed to recover some strength later, this loss limited their expansion and ultimately led to increased vulnerabilities, paving the way for British influence. The battle’s aftermath fostered greater caution in future Maratha strategies but also underscored the need for a united front, contributing to the formation of the Maratha Confederacy.

Q3: Evaluate the role of the Maratha Confederacy in 18th-century India.

Answer: The Maratha Confederacy emerged after Shivaji’s centralized control weakened, leading to semi-autonomous chieftains such as the Scindias, Holkars, and Gaekwads. While it allowed for decentralized administration and regional autonomy, the confederacy also contributed to internal conflicts, weakening Maratha unity. The confederacy maintained Maratha power in various regions and resisted Mughal influence, but internal rivalries and lack of centralized leadership eventually made it easier for the British to establish control in India.

Previous Year Questions on  The Marathas

1. UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2018

Question: Consider the following statements regarding the Maratha Empire:

1. The Maratha Empire was founded by Shivaji Maharaj.
2. The Third Battle of Panipat marked a significant expansion of the Maratha Empire into North India.
3. Bajirao I played a key role in expanding Maratha influence in North India.

Which of the above statements are correct?

Answer: Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Shivaji founded the Maratha Empire, and Bajirao I expanded Maratha influence significantly. However, the Third Battle of Panipat marked a setback rather than an expansion in North India.

2. UPSC Civil Services Mains 2019

Question: Analyze the causes and consequences of the Third Battle of Panipat for the Marathas and the political landscape of India.

Answer: The Third Battle of Panipat in 1761 was a defining moment in Maratha history. The Marathas, under Sadashivrao Bhau, sought to assert dominance in North India but faced a coalition led by Ahmad Shah Abdali. The Maratha forces were severely outnumbered and poorly supplied, leading to a devastating defeat. This battle halted Maratha expansion, depleted their resources, and resulted in considerable loss of life. The weakening of Maratha power shifted the political dynamics in India, reducing indigenous resistance to the British, who used the weakened regional powers to establish control in the subcontinent. The battle underscored the need for unity among Indian states against external forces.