1. The Foundation: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (1627–1680)
Shivaji was the visionary who carved out an independent kingdom (Swarajya) from the Adil Shahi Sultanate of Bijapur and the Mughal Empire.
A. Military Tactics
Guerrilla Warfare: Shivaji used the hilly terrain of the Western Ghats to his advantage, relying on speed, surprise, and "hit-and-run" tactics rather than open-field battles.
The Hill Forts: He captured and built over 300 forts (like Raigad and Pratapgad), which acted as the backbone of his administration.
Father of Indian Navy: He realized the importance of naval power to check the English, Portuguese, and Siddis along the Konkan coast.
B. Administration (Ashta Pradhan)
Shivaji didn't rule alone; he had a council of eight ministers known as the Ashta Pradhan.
Peshwa: The Prime Minister (looked after general administration).
Amatya: Finance Minister.
Senapati: Military Commander.
2. Revenue System: The Secret to Their Wealth
The Marathas had a unique way of collecting taxes, especially from territories they didn't directly rule:
Chauth: 25% (one-fourth) of the land revenue paid to the Marathas to avoid being raided.
Sardeshmukhi: An additional 10% tax levied as a sign of Shivaji’s position as the head of the hereditary revenue collectors.
3. The Era of the Peshwas (1713–1818)
After Shivaji’s descendants became weak, the real power shifted from the Chhatrapati to the Peshwas (Prime Ministers), based in Pune.
Balaji Vishwanath: The first powerful Peshwa who helped Shahu (Shivaji's grandson) stabilize the empire.
Baji Rao I: Known for his military genius. He expanded the empire toward North India and never lost a battle in his life.
Balaji Baji Rao (Nana Saheb): Under him, the Maratha Empire reached its greatest extent, touching the borders of Afghanistan in the North and Karnataka in the South.
4. The Third Battle of Panipat (1761)
This was a massive turning point.
Who: Marathas vs. Ahmad Shah Abdali (the Afghan ruler).
Why it matters: The Marathas were defeated. While Abdali didn't stay to rule India, the defeat weakened the Marathas and cleared the path for the British East India Company to expand.
5. The Maratha Confederacy
After Panipat, the empire became a "Confederacy" of five powerful families who ruled different regions:
Peshwa – Pune
Gaekwad – Baroda
Bhonsle – Nagpur
Holkar – Indore
Scindia (Shinde) – Gwalior
6. Conflict with the British (Anglo-Maratha Wars)
The British fought three major wars to dismantle Maratha power:
First Anglo-Maratha War (1775–1782): Ended with the Treaty of Salbai; neither side won decisively.
Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803–1805): British gained territories like Odisha and parts of North India.
Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817–1818): The British finally crushed Maratha power. The office of the Peshwa was abolished, and Baji Rao II was sent to Bithur (near Kanpur) on a pension.
Why the Marathas are Important for Your Exam:
Key Concept: The Marathas were the most significant indigenous power to fill the "power vacuum" left by the declining Mughals. Their fall in 1818 marks the beginning of undisputed British supremacy in India