Marathas Empire

Get unlimited access to the best preparation resource for competitive exams : get questions, notes, tests, video lectures and more- for all subjects of your exam.

Illustration: Marathas Empire
  • Led to the rise of Marathas.
  • Adil Shahi dynasty and Nizam Shahis appointed Marathas in their armies.
  • Malik Ambar was closely associated with Maloji and his son Shahji.

Malik Ambar

  • Malik Ambar and Raju Deccani were the important pillars of Nizam Shahi dynasty
  • He was an Abyssinian by birth. Born in 1549, in Baghdad.
  • He was a slave of Khwaza Baghdadi. Later on, he was sold to Ahmadnagar՚s Minister- Changez Khan.
  • He is also called Todar Mai of Deccan as he introduced revenue reforms like that of Todar Mai՚s, in Deccan.

Shahji

  • He belonged to Bhonsle clan. Although, its origin is matter of controversy, they claim descent from Sisodia, Rana of Chittor and Udaipur.
  • Shahji and his father Maloji along with Malik Ambar strengthened the Nizam Shahi dynasty.
  • He died in 1664 in Bijapur, while hunting.

Shivaji (1630 - 1680)

  • He was born in Shivner near Junnar, in February, 1630. They were 6 brothers, Shambhaji was the eldest, and Shivaji was the youngest.
  • Shahji had left Jijabai and Tukkabai- from Mohite family of Supa. ­
  • She gave birth to a son-Ekoji or Vyankoji, who established a dynasty in Tanjore state, later on. ­
  • Dadaji got a palace created-Lal Mahal, in Poona for Jijabai and Shivaji.
  • Shivaji lived here for 10 years and left for Raigarh, which became his first capital.
  • Shivaji was greatly influenced by- Sant Tukaram; Bhakti Movement՚s idea of Hinduism; Samarth Guru Ramdas (author of Das Bodh and Anandvana Bhuvana) .
  • For the up keeping of Shivaji, Poona՚s jagir was given. The territory around was called Maval.
  • Shivaji was highly inspired by Hindavi Swaraj.
  • On 12th June, 1665, Shivaji and Raja Jai Singh signed a treaty at Purandhar.
  • In 1666, Shivaji escaped from Agra on 12th May, and took the peacock throne of Shah Jahan.
  • In 1674, he was coronated in Rajgarh. He assumed the title of Chattrapati given by Gangabhatt (Benaras) .
  • He was the founder of Saka-karta Yug (1674) .
  • He laid the foundation of Ashtapradhan (8 ministers) .
  • On 23rd March, 1680, Shivaji fell ill and died on 4th April, 1680, Sunday noon.
  • He had eight wives and his first wife Puttabai, became sati.

Sambhuji: (1680 - 89)

  • After the death of Shivaji there was a succession dispute, at that time Sambhuji was of 23 years and Rajaram (son of Soyrabai) was of 10 years. ­
  • Sambhuji was greatly influenced by a brahmin of Benaras named Kavi Kalash. -In early Februaryl688, captured and killed by Mughals.
Illustration: Sambhuji: (1680 - 89)

Rajaram (1689 - 1700)

  • Rajaram came to Jinji and appointed a 9th minister Asthapradhan called Pratinidhi and Prahliad Niriadji was appointed as the first Pratinidhi.
  • During his lifetime, he restarted the conferment of Jagir.
Table Supporting: Rajaram (1689 - 1700)
Office (Astapradhan)Work
PeshwaPrime Minister
Majumdar⟋AmatyaRevenue
Surnis⟋Sachiv⟋Chitnis CorrespondenceFinance Minister and
Waqenavis⟋ Mantri Household affairsHome Minister⟋ Intelligence⟋
Samaubat⟋ SenapatiCommander-in-Chief
Dabir⟋ Sumant CeremoniesForeign Minister⟋ Master of
NyayadhisThe Chief Judge
PanditraoAdhyakshaMinister for Religion⟋ Dharma

Secretaries

  • Chitnis and the Munshis were secretaries and were in no way inferior to ministers.

Provincial Administration

  • In Mauza, hawaldars were the heac.
  • In Subas or Tarafs, Subedar or Mukhya-deshadhikari was the head.
  • The Provinces were divided into Districts.
  • Swarajya implied those territories, which were independent kingdom of Shivaji.
  • For the effective administration, the entire kingdom was placed under 3 ministers. The actual administration was carried over by the Subedars (therefore, it seems that the concept of Provinces was not developed) .
  • Subedars were assisted by: 1. Majumdars or the Accountants; 2. Chitnis or letter writer; 3. Daftardar or the record keeper and 4. Phadnis, Sabnis and Potnis, who were the clerks appointed by Central Govt. ­­
  • The detail register of land holdings in Parghana were called Dehezada.
  • Hawaldar was in charge of sub-division yielding 5,000 hons.
  • The 2 revenue divisions: Mahal and Taraf together called Prant governed by Subedar.
  • There were 14 revenue divisions under Shivaji. Subedar՚s salary was 400 hons per annum. , Hawaldar՚s-200 hons and Majumdar՚s-25 hons per annum­
  • At the lower level, the revenue was collected by Patel, Kulkarni (village record keeper) and Chaugula.
  • Balutedar: he was the hereditary village servant or artisan.
  • Kulkarni: he was the hereditary village accountant.
  • Deshmukh: he was the hereditary revenue collector at district and sub-district level.
  • Deshpande: he was a hereditary accountant at district and sub-district, he was also the record keeper at Pargana level.
  • Mamktdars and Kamans-dars were king՚s representatives at district and were assisted by Kamvistar head of a number of Parganas, Jamadar was the treasurer and Potnis was the cashier. ­

Revenue Administration

  • It was influenced by Malik Ambar՚s revenue administration.
  • The measuring rod was Kathi.

Unit of Measurement

  • 20 kathi = 1 bigha; 120 bighas = 1 chavar.
  • State claim of revenue was 2⟋5th or 40% .
  • Tagai and Istawah principle were expected to bring new land under cultivation.
  • Istawa was the help given by the state to counterbalance the natural calamities. ­
  • Deshmukhs were the head of an armed elite family in control of a Pargana. The Deshpandes were the record keeper for a pargana.
  • Mirasdars were the hereditary owners of land.
  • Revenue were of 2 types:
  • Chauth
      • It was 1⟋4th and was an amount given to the soldiers in lieu of security, implies l⟋4th of government income.
      • It is known because of its distribution; 25% was babti-to central government. , 66% was allotted to mokasa and saranjam (they were feudal chiefs to maintain troops) , 6% was called sahatra granted to Sachiv, 3% was alloted to Nadgauda (used for people who entertain the court) .
      • Generally, Shivaji demanded from the subjects of his enemies, a tribute equivalent of l⟋4­th of the produce to save them from the atrocities of his army. ­
  • Sardeshmukhi
  • He posed as the Sardeshmukh or the supreme collector.
  • The demand was 10 per cent.
  • He demanded Sardeshmukhi on the basis of legal fiction that he was the hereditary Sardeshmukh of Maharashtra.

Military Administration

  • Hierarchy of the military administration: Paik-the lowest 9⟋10 paiks-under 1 Naik. 5 Naiks-under 1 Hawaldar 5Hawaldars-under Uuml-adar 10 Jumladars-under 1 Hazari.
  • 5,000 to 7,000 Hazari was called- PanchHazari, which was equivalent to 1 Sarnobat.
  • Yashoji Kank was the first Sarnobat of infantry.

Rise of Peshwas

  • In 1713, Balaji became the Peshwa, he is also called the 2nd founder of Maratha State.
  • In 1708, he received the title of Senakarte.
  • In the meantime, there was a struggle between Sahu and Tarabai for power.
  • On 12th October, 1707, the battle of Khed was fought.
  • After this battle, the Sahu captured Satara.
  • Tarabai remained at Kolhapur and her second son Sambhaji ascended the throne.
  • In Satara, Sahu ascended the throne.

Peshwa Balaji Vishvanath

  • He forged an agreement with Saiyyad Hussain Ali (Treaty of Delhi-1719) .
  • He asked the Mughal Emperor for a Sanad for granting Sahu the right to Chauth and Sardeshmukhi of Aurangabad, Berar, Bidar, Golkunda and Bijapur. ­
  • Although the Subedar of Deccan complied, the emperor thought otherwise.
  • Maratha army moved to Delhi and with the help of Saiyyed brothers installed a puppet King.
  • The Peshwa died on 2nd April 1720, in Saswad near Poona.

Baji Rao: (1720 - 1740)

  • He was the eldest son of Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath.
  • On 17th April 1720, he assumed the post of Peshwa. He preached the ideal of Hindu Padpadshahi and Hindu empire.
  • He said, “Maratha flag will fly from Krishna to Attack.” Clash with Nizam:
  • In the battle of Balapur, in 1720, he defeated the Nizam.
  • In 1725, Nizam sent an army to Karnataka to clear it of the Maratha revenue collectors. The Maratha forces were defeated and were forced to retreat.
  • On 6th of March 1728, in the battle of Palkhed, the Nizam was defeated.
  • In 1731, at Dhaboi, the Marathas defeated the Nizam.

Result of Dhaboi

  • Recognition of Sahu as the sole Maratha monarch.
  • Recognition of Sahu՚s right of Chauth and Sardeshmukhi of Deccan.
  • Agreement to pay outstanding arrears of chauth and sardeshmukh.
  • On 7th January, 1738, the Peshwa defeated the Nizam and the treaty of Durrahsarai was forged with the following clauses:
  • Subedari of Malwa was given to the Marathas.
  • Levy of tribute between Rajas of Narmada and Chambal.
  • 50 lakh ₹ to be deposited in the treasury.

Balaji Rao: (1740 - 1761) ⟋Nanasaheb

  • He succeeded Baji Rao on 25th June 1740.
  • He invaded Bundelkhand, Berar, Malwa and Gujarat.
  • Unlike his father, he was not a soldier but a diplomat.
  • Between 1740 - 4 8, Balaji took 4 expeditions in north India:
    • Against Rajputana (1740 - 41) :
      • In his first expedition, he entered Rajputana via Bhilsa and met Sawai Jai Singh of Dholpur:
      • Malwa was annexed.
    • In Bengal (1741 - 43) :
      • He passed through Bundelkhand and entered Bihar and Bengal;
    • Against Rajasthan- (1744 - 45)
    • Against Ahmadshah Abdali- (1747)
  • It is known as the battle of Manpur;
  • Its main objective was to help the Mughal emperor (Md. Shah) , against Abdali;
  • Abdali was defeated by emperor՚s forces on 3rd March, 1748.
  • Emperor Md. Shah died on 14th April, 1748.
  • In 1752, according to Balaji and Delhi՚s agreement it was decided that Balaji would give services of his army to Mughals.
  • The influence of Marathas increased in Delhi politics.
  • Balaji after 1749, took up 4 major campaign, 2 under the command of Raghunath Rao, 1 under Dattaji Scindia and 1 under Sadashiv Rao Bhau.
  • Therefore they were raised to the position of protector of Delhi.

Marathas in 1761 - 1775

  • Madhav Rao I became the Peshwa (1761 - 72) .
  • The first important concern was the Nizam. ­
  • In November, 17 62, the Peshwa՚s army was defeated.
  • Nizam Ali captured the forts of Shivneri, Daulatabad, Asirgarh and Ahmadnagar.
  • In May, 1763, Nizam looted Poona with the connivance of Janoji Bhonsle and Goipal Rao Patvardhan. ­
  • On 10th August, 1763, Nizams forces under Vitthal Sundar was defeated by Peshwa in the battle of Rakshas Bhuvan.
  • On 18th November, 1769, Madhav Rao died and after that severe struggle began to
  • search the Peshwas among Marathas.

British and Marathas: (1772 - 85)

Peshwas

  • Madhav Rao I = 1761 - 1772.
  • Narayan Rao = 1773 - 1774.
  • Madhav Rao II = 1774 - 1795.
  • Baji Rao II = 1796 - 1818 (remained pensioner of British for more than 30years at Bithur near Kanpur) . ­
  • Mahadji Scindia met Shah Alam at Anup Shahar and exiled emperor entered Delhi on 6th January, 1772, with the help of Marathas. ­
  • After Peshwa Madhav Rao, Narayan Rao became the Peshwa, against whom Raghunath Rao hatched a conspiracy. He was murdered on 30th August 1773.
  • Raghunath Rao was also called Raghoba.
  • In the meantime, Gangabai, wife of Peshwa, posthumously, gave birth to a child.
  • Nana Sahib Phadnavis wanted to place this child on the throne.
  • Raghunath Rao became desperate and sought British intervention.
  • On 7th March, 1775, Treaty of Surat was signed between Raghunath Rao and the Britishers.
  • In the meantime, Supreme Court of Calcutta repealed this treaty.
  • The treaty of Purandar was signed on 1st March, 1776, and the treaty of Surat was replaced by this treaty.

First Anglo-Maratha War: (1775 - 82)

  • In 1779, in the Battle of Talegaon the Marathas were defeated and were forced to sign a Treaty of Wadegaon.
  • Warren Hastings became aggressive and disallowed the Treaty of Wadegaon and the British went ahead.
  • On 17th May, 1782, Treaty of Salby was signed with the efforts of Mahadji

Second Anglo Maratha War: (1803 - 05)

  • Nanasahib Phadnis was known as Machiavelli of Marathas. His real name was Balaji Janardan and Phadnis was his post. He was arrested by Michael Tilos on 31­st December, 1798.
  • In 1784 he concluded a treaty with Tipu Sultan and the Khardah Treaty with Nizam in 1795.
  • Between 1798 - 1800 Nana Pahdnis՚s administration dwindeled and he left it in the hands of Naro Pant Chakradev.
  • There was a struggle among the brothers for the seat of Peshwa:
      • Daulat Rao Scindia (Mahadji Scindia)
      • Yashwant Rao Holkar (Tukkaji՚s successor)
  • The British took advantage of this situation and Balaji Rao fled in 1802 and signed a subsidiary alliance at Bassein

Third Anglo-Maratha War: (1817 - 1819)

  • Background: (1806 - 1817)
  • Yashwant Rao Holkar became insane in 1807 and finally died on 27th Oct. , 1811. ­­
  • Tulsabai, wife of Yashwant Rao assumed power in the name of her 4 year old son.
  • The condition of the Holkars deteriorated day by day.
Illustration: Third Anglo-Maratha War: (1817 - 1819)
  • Anand Rao Gaekwad and Pratap Singh Gaekwad were virtual prisoners of Major Walker.
  • Their prime minister was Gangadhar Shastri.
  • Raghuji Bonsle II died in 1816.
  • Parsoji Bhonsle who succeeded him in March, 1816, became sick and blind, therefore, Appa Saheb became the defacto.
  • Now the struggle started between Appa Saheb and Raghuji՚s widow Bakkabai.
  • This made Appa Saheb signed a subsidiary alliance with the British on 28th May, 1816.
  • Parsoji died on 1st February, 1817 and Appa Saheb succeeded. He had relations with Chitu (leader of Pindari) .
  • On 13th June, 1817, Eliphinston compelled Peshwa to sign the treaty of Poona.
  • Pindaris became headache for the British rule and Metcalfe formed treaties with chiefs of Kota, Bundi, Bhopal, Jodhpur, and Jaipur, in order to supress the Pindaris.
  • The treaty of Gwalior was signed to supress the Pindaris.
  • Both Pindaris and Marathas merged during the third Anglo-Maratha war for their own interest.
  • Lord Hastings opened the campaign on 16th October, 1817, and Karim Khan and Wasim Khan were defeated at Shahabad (near Jhalwar) . ­­
  • Pindari war was only a grand plan to extinguish all Maratha vestiges and established British supremacy over whole of India. ­
  • It seems that Pindari war and Maratha war formed complements of same objective.
  • Appa Saheb in Nagpur and Malhar Rao III fought against British Captain Fitzerald.
  • Appa Saheb was defeated in the battle of Sita Baldi on 27th November 1817. He surrendered on 16th December 1817 and accepted the conditions of resident Jenkins.
  • Bithal Rao՚s son Ramdin fought a battle at Mahitpur on 21st Dec 1817 and was defeated.
  • Negotiations were forged between Tantiya Jog and Malcom and on 6th Janu-ary, 1818, subsidiary treaty of Mandasore was signed.
  • Peshwa was defeated at Kirchi, Karegaon and Asti on 20th February, 1818.
  • A treaty was signed according to which Peshwaship was abolished and a pension of ₹ 8 lakhs was fixed.
  • The Peshwa was to reside at Bithur, 12 miles from Kanpur.
  • Baji Rao lived for another 33 years and died on 14th January, 1851.
  • A small district of Satara for the descendents of Shivaji was given to Pratap Singh.