The Rise of the Marathas — Practice

Question 1

Who founded the Maratha Empire and when was he crowned?

Accepted Answer

✦ Answer: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (1630-1680) founded the Maratha Empire. Crowned at Raigad on 6 June 1674.

Question 2

Why is the Third Battle of Panipat (1761) important?

Accepted Answer

✦ Answer: The Marathas were defeated by Ahmad Shah Abdali (Afghan) on 14 January 1761 at Panipat. Tens of thousands killed. Halted Maratha expansion temporarily. One of India's most consequential battles.

Question 3

Describe Shivaji's Ashta Pradhan system.

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — What it is.
  Ashta Pradhan = 'Council of Eight Ministers' established by Shivaji to administer his kingdom. Each minister had specific portfolio.

Step 2 — The 8 ministers.
  1. PESHWA (Prime Minister) — overall coordination
  2. AMATYA (Finance) — revenue and accounts
  3. MANTRI (Secretary) — diary, official records
  4. SENAPATI (Commander-in-Chief) — military
  5. SUMANT (Foreign Affairs) — diplomacy
  6. SACHIV (Records) — official records
  7. PANDITRAO (Religion) — Hindu religious matters
  8. NYAYADHISH (Justice) — legal matters

Step 3 — Significance.
  • Specialised administration (modern concept)
  • Checks and balances
  • Each minister directly accountable to king
  • Influenced future Indian and even British administration
  • Many of these portfolios continue today (PM, Finance, Defence, etc.)

Step 4 — Continuation.
  Under successors, Peshwa became most powerful — eventually became effective ruler. By Bajirao I (1720), Peshwa dominated.

✦ Answer: Shivaji established the ASHTA PRADHAN — Council of 8 Ministers: Peshwa (PM), Amatya (Finance), Mantri, Senapati (Commander), Sumant (Foreign), Sachiv (Records), Panditrao (Religion), Nyayadhish (Justice). Each had specific portfolio. Modern-style specialised administration. Peshwa later became dominant role, becoming effective ruler.

Question 4

Discuss the rise and decline of the Maratha Empire and its legacy.

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — RISE under Shivaji (1630-1680).
  Shivaji founded Maratha kingdom in 1674 (Raigad coronation). Built forts in Western Ghats, used guerrilla warfare, defeated Bijapur (Pratapgarh 1659), challenged Mughals (escape from Agra 1666). Set foundation through Ashta Pradhan administration.

Step 2 — SUCCESSORS (1680-1707).
  Sambhaji continued resistance against Aurangzeb (executed 1689). Rajaram and Tarabai fought Mughal expansion. Aurangzeb spent 27 years in Deccan fighting Marathas — wars exhausted Mughal Empire.

Step 3 — PESHWA ERA (1713-1761).
  Shahu introduced Peshwa-led system. Bajirao I (1720-1740) was greatest Peshwa — won 41 battles, expanded Marathas across India. By 1758, Marathas controlled most of subcontinent.

Step 4 — PANIPAT III (1761).
  Sadashiv Rao Bhau led Maratha army against Ahmad Shah Abdali. Marathas suffered huge defeat. Generation of leaders lost.

Step 5 — RECOVERY under Madhavrao I (1761-1772).
  Marathas recovered remarkably. Re-established control.

Step 6 — DECLINE and CONFEDERACY (1772-1818).
  Internal conflicts among Holkars, Scindias, Gaikwads, Bhonsles, Peshwa. British exploited divisions through 'Subsidiary Alliance' system.

Step 7 — ANGLO-MARATHA WARS.
  Three wars (1775-82, 1803-05, 1817-18). British gradually defeated Marathas. Peshwa Bajirao II surrendered 1818. End of Maratha Empire.

Step 8 — REASONS FOR DECLINE.
  • Internal divisions in Confederacy
  • Weak Peshwas after Madhavrao I
  • British military and political tactics
  • Adapting too slowly to changing warfare (artillery)
  • Heavy taxes alienating peasants

Step 9 — CULTURAL LEGACY.
  • Marathi language and literature flourished
  • Marathi theatre, music, cinema
  • Maharashtra state identity
  • Forts of Western Ghats (Raigad, Sinhagad, etc.) — heritage sites

Step 10 — POLITICAL LEGACY.
  • Showed Indians COULD govern themselves effectively
  • Inspired Bal Gangadhar Tilak's swarajya call (1916)
  • Inspired Bose, freedom fighters
  • Shivaji is national hero, especially in Maharashtra

Step 11 — MILITARY LEGACY.
  • Maratha Light Infantry of Indian Army
  • Guerrilla warfare techniques used by Indian forces
  • Fort architecture still admired

Step 12 — MODERN HONOURS.
  • Mumbai: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, CSMT railway station
  • Statues across Maharashtra and India
  • Films, TV serials about Shivaji
  • Maharashtra Day on 1 May celebrates Shivaji's legacy

Step 13 — KEY INSIGHT.
  The Maratha story teaches India about:
  • Power of one visionary leader (Shivaji)
  • Importance of internal unity (lost during decline)
  • Adapting to new military realities
  • Building lasting institutions (Ashta Pradhan model)

✦ Answer: Maratha Empire (1674-1818) rose under Shivaji, expanded through Peshwas (especially Bajirao I), peaked around 1758 controlling most of India. Declined after Panipat III (1761), though briefly recovered. Three Anglo-Maratha Wars (1775-1818) ended the empire. Decline due to internal divisions and British tactics. LEGACY: cultural (Marathi language), political (inspired freedom fighters), military (Indian Army), and modern honours (Mumbai airport, statues). Shivaji remains a national icon for courage, statecraft, justice.

Practice — The Rise of the Marathas

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