Key Concepts: The Rise of the Marathas | Social Science Class 8 - New NCERT PDF Download

Who are the Marathas?

• Marathas: A group of people native to the Deccan plateau, especially present-day Maharashtra. They speak Marathi and have a rich literary history dating back to the 12th century.
• Marathi Language: The language spoken by the Marathas, known for a continuous tradition of literature, including devotional poems and songs.
• Bhakti Movement: A spiritual movement emphasizing devotion to God beyond rituals, involving saints like Tukaram and Ramdas who wrote poems in local languages to reach common people.
• Yadava Dynasty: The rulers of Maharashtra in the 13th century, with their capital at Devagiri, preceding the rise of the Marathas.
• Jāgīr: A piece of land given as a reward by a king to nobles or soldiers, where the receiver could collect taxes for their needs or for the king.
• Cultural Foundation: The Marathas built on strong cultural and spiritual traditions in Maharashtra, particularly through bhakti saints, which helped later to unite them politically.

Foundation of Maratha Power and the Rise of Shivaji

• Shivaji Maharaj: Founder of the Maratha kingdom, born in 1630 in the Bhonsle clan. He is known for building a strong, independent kingdom based on Swarajya (self-rule).
• Swarajya: The concept of self-rule or sovereignty, the ideal for which Shivaji fought to establish his kingdom.
• Guerrilla Warfare: A military tactic using small, fast-moving groups to surprise and defeat larger enemies, which Shivaji used effectively in mountainous regions.
• Maratha Navy: Shivaji created a navy to protect the coast, a pioneering move in Indian history that challenged European naval powers.
• Fortresses (Forts): Forts like Raigad and Pratapgad were key to Shivaji’s control and defense strategy, allowing protection against larger invading armies.
• Afzal Khan: A general sent by the Bijapur Sultanate to defeat Shivaji, who was killed by Shivaji using the weapon called the wāgh nakh (tiger’s claw).
• Surgical Strike: A precise military attack, similar to Shivaji’s nighttime raid on Shaista Khan’s camp.
• Sacking of Surat: Shivaji’s attack on the wealthy Mughal port city Surat to acquire treasure, without damaging religious places, showing respect for different faiths.
• Escape from Agra: Shivaji’s clever escape from Mughal captivity, disguised in baskets, after being insulted at Aurangzeb’s court.
• Coronation at Raigad (1674): Shivaji was crowned king with full Vedic rituals, marking the official start of his rule as "Chhatrapati."
• Dakshina Digvijaya: Shivaji’s conquest of southern territories, which extended Maratha influence and provided strategic depth.

The Marathas after Shivaji

• Sambhaji: Shivaji’s son and successor, who fought bravely against the Mughals but was captured and executed by Aurangzeb.
• Rajaram and Tarabai: After Sambhaji, Rajaram became king and fled to Gingee, while his queen Tarabai led military campaigns in the north to expand Maratha power.
• Decentralization: The Maratha empire shifted from a centralized state under Shivaji to a more decentralized power structure, with regional chiefs gaining autonomy.
• Peshwa: The prime minister who became very powerful, sometimes more than the king. Notable Peshwas like Bajirao I and Nanasaheb expanded Maratha influence across India.
• Pan-Indian Expansion: The Marathas expanded their control over large parts of India, from the north near Delhi and Lahore to parts of central and southern India.
• Battle of Panipat (1761): A major defeat for the Marathas in the north, but they quickly recovered under leaders like Madhavrao I and Mahadji Shinde.
• Anglo-Maratha Wars: Three wars fought between the Marathas and the British from 1775 to 1818, which eventually led to the end of Maratha power.
• Nana Phadnavis: A key Maratha statesman who organized the first pan-Indian anti-British alliance, uniting different powers against the British.

Maratha Administration

Civilian administration

• Centralized Administration: Shivaji established a government system where officials were paid salaries from the state treasury rather than relying on hereditary posts or land grants. This stopped any one official from gaining too much power.
• Officials Transferred Periodically: Government officials were regularly moved to prevent them from becoming too powerful or corrupt.
• Welfare for Soldiers’ Families: Shivaji provided pensions to widows of soldiers who died in battle and gave military posts to their sons, showing care for those who served.
• Council of Eight Ministers (aṣṭa pradhāna mandala): Shivaji had a group of eight ministers helping him manage different parts of the government, such as finance, intelligence, justice, foreign affairs, and army command.
• Tax System - Chauth and Sardeshmukhi: Taxes like chauth (25%) and sardeshmukhi (an additional 10%) were collected from areas not directly ruled by the Marathas in exchange for protection, allowing those areas to maintain local control.

Military administration

• Three Branches of Armed Forces: The Maratha army consisted of infantry (foot soldiers), cavalry (horse riders), and the navy.
• Types of Cavalry Soldiers: Bārgīrs had horses and equipment paid for by the state, while shiledārs supplied their own.
• European Military Influence: In the 18th century, Marathas began adopting European-style disciplined troops and artillery.
• Weapons Used: Preferred weapons were swords and lances, but guns and rockets were also used. Metal tube rockets appeared by 1770.
• Forts as Military Strongholds: Forts were crucial for protecting territory, controlling routes, and sheltering armies during guerrilla warfare.

Maritime supremacy

• Creation of the Navy: Shivaji started the Maratha Navy to protect the west coast and maritime trade, something few Indian powers had done.
• Kanhoji Angre: Famous Maratha admiral who won many naval battles using geography and clever tactics, despite having less advanced ships than Europeans.
• Opposition to European Naval Control: Europeans forced Indian ships to buy trade passes (cartaz), but Marathas challenged this and began demanding passes from Europeans, angering them.
• Maratha Naval Attacks: Maratha ships actively attacked European vessels, asserting control over coastal waters.

Judicial system

• Efficient Justice System: The Marathas had a fair legal system with moderation in using death penalties.
• Panchāyat: A local group of officials and respected men who judged cases and delivered justice.
• Appeals: If unsatisfied, people could appeal to a higher Maratha chief.
• Kotwāl (Police): Deployed in major towns for law and order maintenance.

Trade networks

• Encouragement of Trade: Shivaji supported trade and owned ships that sailed to distant ports like Mocha (Yemen), Muscat (Oman), and Malacca (Malaysia), carrying valuable goods.
• Infrastructure Development: Roads, bridges, ferries, and river transport systems were improved for better trade and connectivity.

Cultural Revival

In focus: Thanjavur

• Maratha Rule in Thanjavur: Started by Ekoji, Shivaji’s half-brother, in present-day Tamil Nadu in the late 17th century.
• Syncretic Culture: A mixed culture developed by combining Tamil, Telugu, and Marathi traditions.
• Patronage of the Arts: Maratha rulers were poets and supported musicians and artists.
• Serfoji II: Notable ruler who wrote plays, promoted music, and started the first printing press by an Indian ruler. He established a medical center offering free treatment blending Indian and Western medicine.
• Connection to Bharatanatyam: The classical dance form Bharatanatyam flourished under Maratha patronage in Thanjavur.

The Maratha legacy

• Largest Indian Empire before the British: The Maratha Empire challenged Mughal power and controlled much of India before British rule.
• Efficient Governance and Religious Tolerance: They set up a strong administration and revived Hindu traditions without discrimination against other religions.
• Inspiration for the Indian Freedom Movement: Their fight for Swarajya (self-rule) inspired later Indians to believe in self-government and independence.
• Strategic Strength: Controlled hundreds of forts and maintained a strong navy, resisting European naval power despite technological disadvantages.
• Cultural Confidence: The Marathas renewed pride in Indian culture and traditions across regions, contributing to cultural revival and innovation.