Chapter 3

RISE OF THE MARATHAS

Class1

Learning Objectives

• Identify who the Marathas were and understand their social background.

• Describe the rise and achievements of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

• Explain the structure of Maratha administration:

o Civil administration

o Military administration

o Judicial administration

• Discuss the role of women leaders such as:

o Tarabai

o Ahilyabai Holkar

• Analyse the Marathas' contribution to:

o Trade

o Culture

o Regional unity

• Recognise the significance of Thanjavur in the Maratha legacy.

• Appreciate the Marathas' role in shaping the idea of self-rule and Indian polity.

• "In fact the East India Company in Asia is a state in the disguise of a merchant. Its
whole service is a system of public offices in the disguise of a counting house;
accordingly, the whole external order is commercial; the principal, the inward, the
real, is almost entirely political."( The Company looked like a trader but behaved like
a government. Its offices looked like business offices, but they actually functioned
like government departments. On the surface, everything seemed to be about trade.
But in reality, its main aim was to gain political power and rule over India.)
— Edmund Burke, Works, Vol. IX

• During the 17th century, the Mughal Empire extended over much of the Indian
subcontinent.

• A new political power emerged from the rugged hills of the Western Deccan—
the Marathas (rulers of a warrior community from western India known for
their bravery and self-rule.
 • They originated from:

o Small agrarian clans

o Regional chieftains

• They transformed into a powerful political force.

• Challenged imperial rule.

• Worked to revive indigenous governance and culture.

• Their history reflects:

o Courage

o Resilience

o An unyielding spirit of self-rule.

• Society developed a strong cultural foundation.

• This cultural strength helped the Marathas organise into a political force.

• Before Shivaji came to power:

o Several Maratha chiefs attempted to gain political dominance.

o These attempts were unsuccessful during the 17th century.

• Shivaji later united the Marathas and strengthened their political power.

Timeline – Early Life of Shivaji Maharaj

1630

• Birth of Shivaji Bhosale.

• Born on 19 February 1630.

• Birthplace: Shivneri Fort, near Junnar, Maharashtra.

1645

• At about 15 years of age:

o Shivaji took an oath to establish Hindavi Swaraj (Self-rule).

1647–1648

• Began building his independent kingdom.

• Captured:

o Torna Fort
o Purandar Fort
Class 2

Who Are the Marathas?

• The Marathas were a proud and resilient warrior-peasant community.

• Originated from the Western Deccan Plateau of India, mainly present-day

Maharashtra.

• Rooted in:

o Agrarian traditions

o Local chieftain traditions

• Developed a strong identity based on:

o Regional pride

o Hindu revivalism

o Resistance to external domination

• Spoke Marathi.

• Practised Hinduism.

• Rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most formidable powers in
Indian history.

• Under visionary leadership, the Marathas sought autonomy from:

o The Mughals

o The Adil Shahis of Bijapur

• Their identity was rooted in:

o Swarajya (Self-rule)

o Hindavi Swaraj

• Hindavi Swaraj emphasized:

o Governance by the people

o Governance for the people of the land

• These principles were first articulated by Shivaji Maharaj.

• They became the ideological foundation of Maratha power

 The Marathas are recognised by the Marathi language.

 Marathi has a long and rich literary tradition dating back to the 12th century.
 The Yadava dynasty ruled over most of Maharashtra during the 13th century.

 Capital:

• Devagiri (modern-day Daulatabad).

• The Khilji Sultanate from Delhi overthrew the Yadava dynasty at the beginning
of the 14th century.

• Despite political changes, cultural traditions continued.

• Bhakti (devotion to the divine or a particular deity) remained strong.

• Bhakti became an important cultural and spiritual movement.

• Between the 7th and 17th centuries, saints and seekers across India:

o Chose the path of Bhakti.

o Preferred devotion over external ritualism.

o Sought spiritual elevation.

• Saints belonged to different social backgrounds.

• They wrote:

o Poetry

o Devotional songs

• Used popular languages to spread their teachings widely.

Prominent Bhakti Saints

• Important saints of Maharashtra:

o Sant Dnyaneshwar

o Sant Namdev

o Sant Tukaram

o Samarth Ramdas

• They played a major role in spreading Bhakti ideals.

• To make their teachings understandable to the common people, they helped

translate key religious texts into regional languages and literature into Marathi,
including the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita.

Like the Sikh gurus, some other groups also emphasised political consciousness
and social organisation.
 Foundation of Maratha Power and the Rise of Shivaji

• The foundation of Maratha power is closely linked to Chhatrapati Shivaji

Maharaj (1630–1680).

• Born at Shivneri Fort.

• Envisioned an independent kingdom free from:

o Mughal domination

o Adil Shahi domination

• Built a sovereign state called "Swarajya" through:

o Strategic warfare

o Diplomacy

o People's support

• Father: Shahaji Bhonsle

o A Maratha noble serving the Bijapur Sultanate.

• Mother: Jijabai

o Instilled deep religious devotion.

o Inspired a strong sense of destiny.

• Shivaji received:

o Excellent education.

o Moral guidance.

• Grew up in his family's jagir in Pune.

• Guided by:

o Jijabai

o Other trusted authorities.

Political Situation in the Deccan

• The Deccan Sultanates were frequently in conflict with one another.

 • These conflicts caused severe hardships for the people of the Pune region.

• Life became difficult for the average citizen.

• This political instability created opportunities for Shivaji's rise.

• Shivaji's early campaigns displayed remarkable strategic brilliance.

• Specialized in Guerrilla Warfare (Ganimi Kava).

• Used:

o Rugged terrain of the Sahyadri Hills

o Surprise attacks

o Speed and mobility

• Captured important forts:

o Torna

o Purandar

o Raigad

• These forts became the backbone of his kingdom.

Coronation

• In 1674, Shivaji was crowned Chhatrapati at Raigad.

• Established a sovereign Hindu Kingdom.

• His rule emphasized:

o Justice

o Efficient governance

o Religious tolerance

• Shivaji recognized the need for a strong navy.

• Objective:

o Protect the western coast.

o Ensure access to coastal resources.

 • This was an innovative step for that period.

• Compared to the Marathas:

o The Bijapur Sultanate had commerce ships but no permanent defensive

fleet.

o The Mughal Empire used its navy only sparingly.

• These efforts marked the beginning of the achievements of the Maratha Navy.

Guerrilla Warfare (Ganimi Kava)

• Shivaji adopted Guerrilla Warfare (Ganimi Kava- guerilla warfare technique

used)

• Features:

o Small, highly mobile groups.

o Speed.

o Surprise attacks.

o Knowledge of terrain.

• Purpose:

o Defeat larger armies.

o Protect people from powerful enemies.

Battle with Afzal Khan

• Shivaji's growing success angered the Bijapur Sultanate.

• General Afzal Khan was sent to defeat Shivaji.

• Afzal Khan was persuaded to meet Shivaji:

o In the dense forests near Pratapgad Fort.

• Afzal Khan was killed by Shivaji.

• The Marathas, hidden in the hills, used guerrilla warfare to destroy Afzal Khan's
army.

Important Terms
• Chhatrapati: Title meaning "Protector of the People", used by Maratha kings.

• Diplomacy: Managing relations between different countries.

• Sovereign: Having the highest authority.

• Ganimi Kava: Guerrilla warfare technique used by the Marathas.

Insight: The Wagh Nakh also known as the Tiger’s Claw, is a small concealed metal
weapon associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who used it in one of the most
dramatic encounters in Indian history that is the slaying of Afzal Khan, the general of
the Bijapur Sultanate

Shivaji Maharaj: Military Campaigns and Legacy

Shaista Khan's Invasion

• Shaista Khan, a Mughal aristocrat, invaded Shivaji's territory with a large army.

• He remained in Maharashtra for three years.

• Shivaji launched a night raid on Shaista Khan's camp with a small group of
soldiers.

• Shaista Khan lost several fingers during the attack.

• He was forced to retreat from Maharashtra.

• Shivaji attacked Surat, a prosperous Mughal port city (present-day Gujarat).

• The attack was in retaliation for Shaista Khan's three-year campaign.

• Shivaji captured a huge treasure worth nearly one crore rupees.

• He avoided attacking the houses of philanthropist Mohandas Parekh.

• A few years later, Shivaji sacked Surat once again.

London Gazette Report

• The English newspaper The London Gazette reported Shivaji's attack on Surat.

• It stated that Shivaji demanded "immediate presents of money" from European

diplomatic representatives.

• He warned that failure to comply would result in him returning and destroying
the city.

Purandar Treaty

• The sacking of Surat greatly damaged the prestige of the Mughal Empire.

• Aurangzeb sent Rajput General Jai Singh to defeat Shivaji.

• Shivaji was defeated at Purandar Fort (near Pune).

• He signed the Treaty of Purandar.

• He surrendered a large part of his kingdom.

• His son Sambhaji entered Mughal service.

Visit to Agra and Escape

• Jai Singh persuaded Shivaji to visit the Mughal court at Agra.

• Shivaji was insulted in Aurangzeb's court.

• Aurangzeb placed him under house arrest.

• Shivaji devised an escape plan by sending gifts to Mughal generals and holy men.

• The gifts were packed in large baskets containing mithai (sweets) and fruits.

• After the guards stopped checking the baskets, Shivaji and Sambhaji hid inside
them and escaped.

Military and Maritime Legacy

• The Sindhudurg Fort near the Maharashtra–Goa border was one of the Marathas'
major naval forts.

• Shivaji's court symbolized his strong administration and leadership.

• Today, the Indian Navy honours Shivaji's maritime legacy through ships such as:

o INS Angre

o INS Sindhudurg

Shivaji Maharaj: Coronation, Expansion and Legacy

Coronation (1674)

• Shivaji was crowned with full Vedic ceremonies at Raigad Fort in 1674.

• He received the title "Shri Raja Shiva Chhatrapati."

• He started a new era known as the Rajyabhisheka Shaka.

Conquest of the South (Dakshina Digvijaya)

• Launched successful military campaigns in the late 1670s.

• Expanded into:

o Parts of Karnataka
 o Northern Tamil Nadu

• Strengthened Maratha strategic position against Mughal invasions.

• Expanded the Maratha Empire beyond Maharashtra.

• Demonstrated Shivaji's:

o Strategic brilliance

o Courage

o Political vision

Class 3

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Slave Trade

• In the 17th century, India's western coast was part of the Arabian Sea trade
network.

• Trade included:

o Spices

o Textiles

o Metals

o Enslaved people

• European powers involved:

o Portuguese

o Dutch

o English

• Shivaji strongly opposed the slave trade.

• His naval and administrative policies aimed to:

o Protect India's coastline

o Prevent foreign exploitation

o Ensure the dignity and safety of his people

Extent of the Maratha Empire (Around 1680)

• The Maratha Empire expanded across large parts of western, central, and
southern India.
• Southern expansion provided strategic depth against Mughal invasions.

Death and Legacy

• Shivaji died at the age of 50 after a brief illness.

• Left behind a powerful and lasting legacy.

• Transformed a small regional power into a disciplined and self-reliant kingdom.

• Remembered as:

o Brilliant strategist

o Efficient administrator

o Nation-builder

• Became a hero across India, not just Maharashtra.

Influence and Recognition

• European chroniclers compared Shivaji to:

o Alexander the Great

o Hannibal

• His ideals of Swarajya (self-rule) and Hindavi Rajya inspired future rulers.

• Chhatrasal of Bundelkhand followed Shivaji's example and established an

independent kingdom in Central India.

• The Hindi poet Bhushan admired Shivaji and dedicated poems in his honour.

The Marathas After Shivaji

After Shivaji's Death (1680)

• Maratha Empire entered a challenging phase.

• Shivaji's strong foundation kept the dream of Swarajya (self-rule) alive.

• Aurangzeb launched major campaigns to crush the Marathas.

• The period was marked by:

o Courage

o Struggle

o Revival

• Successive Maratha leaders defended and expanded the empire across India.
 Sambhaji Maharaj (1681–1689)

Early Rule

• Shivaji's eldest son and successor.

• Brave warrior and skilled commander.

• Continued Shivaji's fight against the Mughals and regional powers.

Conflict with Aurangzeb

• Aurangzeb shifted his focus to the Deccan after conquering:

o Bijapur (Adil Shahi) – 1686

o Golconda (Qutub Shahi) – 1687

• Sambhaji defended the Maratha capital, Raigad Fort.

Capture and Martyrdom

• Captured by the Mughals in 1689.

• Tortured and executed for refusing to surrender or convert.

• Remembered as a martyr for Swarajya.

• His sacrifice became one of the most inspiring chapters in Maratha history.

Rajaram Maharaj and the Struggle from Gingee

Leadership

• Rajaram Maharaj, Sambhaji's younger brother, assumed leadership after

Sambhaji's death.

• Shifted the Maratha resistance from Raigad to Gingee Fort (Senji), Tamil Nadu.

Resistance from Gingee

• Organised a strong resistance against Aurangzeb.

• Frustrated Mughal forces for many years.

• Although several forts were lost, the Mughals failed to destroy the spirit of
Maratha independence.