6.1 The Marathas

6.1 The Marathas

Shivaji (1630–1680 CE) — Founder of the Maratha Kingdom

• Born 1630 CE (Shivneri Fort); son of Shahaji Bhonsle (a Maratha noble/jagirdar serving the Deccan Sultanates) and Jijabai; guided in his early years by mentors including Dadaji Kondadev.
• Built up a base of hill forts in the Western Ghats (Sahyadri) region, starting with Torna Fort (captured c. 1646 CE) and expanding rapidly.
• Key military events:
  • Killed the Bijapur general Afzal Khan in a famous personal encounter at Pratapgad (1659 CE) — using "Bagh Nakh" (tiger claws), per popular accounts, after Afzal Khan attempted treachery.
  • Escaped from Mughal custody at Agra (1666 CE) — had gone to Agra to meet Aurangzeb after the Treaty of Purandar (1665 CE) (signed with Mughal general Raja Jai Singh I after a Mughal siege, under which Shivaji ceded several forts) but was humiliated at court and detained; escaped hidden in a basket of sweets — a legendary episode.
  • Coronation (Rajyabhishek): Crowned himself as an independent sovereign king, "Chhatrapati," at Raigad Fort in 1674 CE, with the traditional Vedic ceremony conducted by the Brahmin scholar Gaga Bhatt — asserted Hindu Kshatriya political legitimacy independent of Mughal or Sultanate authority.
  • Died in 1680 CE at Raigad.

Ashtapradhan (Council of Eight Ministers) — Shivaji's Administration

• Note: These were originally advisory, not hereditary, offices under Shivaji, though some later became hereditary (especially Peshwa).
• Revenue system: Shivaji introduced/systematized Chauth (25% of the standard land revenue, levied as protection money on non-Maratha territory) and Sardeshmukhi (additional 10% levy, claimed as hereditary right of the Sardeshmukh/chief headman) — key sources of Maratha income, especially from Mughal Deccan territories.
• Military organization: Strong emphasis on guerrilla warfare (using knowledge of Deccan terrain and mobile cavalry), a chain of hill forts, and a naval force (Maratha navy under commanders like Kanhoji Angre in later years) to counter Portuguese, Siddis, and other coastal powers.

The Peshwas (Later Maratha Power, post-Shivaji)

• After Shivaji's successors (Sambhaji, Rajaram, Tarabai as regent, Shahu), real power gradually shifted to the hereditary Peshwas (originally just the Prime Minister post), based at Pune, especially from the time of Balaji Vishwanath (Peshwa, 1713–1720 CE) — appointed by Chhatrapati Shahu.
• Baji Rao I (Peshwa, 1720–1740 CE) — greatest Peshwa militarily; expanded Maratha power across much of North and Central India (Malwa, Gujarat, Bundelkhand); known for rapid cavalry campaigns.
• Balaji Baji Rao (Nana Saheb) (Peshwa, 1740–1761 CE) — Maratha power reached its zenith, extending influence deep into North India, right up to the disastrous Third Battle of Panipat (1761 CE) against Ahmad Shah Abdali, which severely checked Maratha northward expansion (beyond the scope/date-range of this note but important context).
• Later Maratha polity became a confederacy of semi-independent chiefs (Maratha Confederacy): Peshwa (Pune), Gaekwad (Baroda), Holkar (Indore), Scindia/Shinde (Gwalior), Bhonsle (Nagpur) — this loose confederation shaped much of 18th century Indian politics and later resisted, then succumbed to, British expansion (Anglo-Maratha Wars, beyond this note's scope).

Key Facts / Quick Revision Points — Marathas

• Shivaji: born 1630, Shivneri; coronation as Chhatrapati at Raigad, 1674, by Gaga Bhatt.
• Escaped Agra captivity 1666 (after Treaty of Purandar 1665, with Raja Jai Singh I).
• Ashtapradhan — 8 ministers; Peshwa = PM.
• Chauth (25%) and Sardeshmukhi (10%) — Maratha revenue levies.
• Baji Rao I — greatest Peshwa; Balaji Baji Rao — Panipat III (1761) defeat.
• Maratha Confederacy: Peshwa, Gaekwad, Holkar, Scindia, Bhonsle.