Eternal India Encyclopedia

Eternal India encyclopedia

LURE - THRU THE AGES

MARATHAS 1627-1848 A.D.

Overview * Chhatrapathi Shivaji was the founder of the Maratha empire. * The mountainous geography of the Ma- ratha country had made them brave, self- reliant and rugged people. * Spread of Bhakti movement by saints Tukaram, Ramdas and Eknath fostered unity among them. * At one time the Maratha empire ex- tended under the Peshwas upto Punjab in the north. Advent * Oppression of the Hindus by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb was the chief cause of the rise of Maratha empire. * In the south the Marathas who lived in mountainous regions of Western Ghats, the Konkan and the Deccan were welded together by Shivaji who was assisted in this by several factors like a common literature and language (Marathi) and Marathi religious reformers. * Chhatrapathi Shivaji (1627-80). * Sambhaji (eldest son of Shivaji) (1680-89) * Raja Ram (son of Shivaji by second wife) (1689- 1700) * Tarabai (widow of Raja Ram) (1700-1707) * Sahu (son of Sambhaji) (1707-49) * Ram Raja (grandson of Raja Ram) (1749-1777) * Sahu II (adopted son of Ram Raja) (1777-1808) * Pratap Sinh (son of Sahu II) (1808-1839) * Shahji Appasaheb (brother of Pratap Sinh) (1839-1848). Chronology /

adventurous soldier; born leader of men, who could throw a spell over all who came in contact with him; the growing weakness of the Deccan Sul- tanates, and the prolonged campaigns of the imperialists in the north, fa- voured the rise of the Maratha power under the leadership of Shivaji.

Impact The third battle of Panipat pro- duced di sastrous consequences for the Mara- thas. They could not regain the position they had before 1761. Friends : Rajputs, Sikhs. Foes : Mughals; English East India Com- pany; Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan, the rulers of Mysore; Afghan invader, Ahmed Shan Abdali. Achievements * The welding together of the Maratha race scattered through many Deccan King- doms. * The nation he built up defied the Mughal empire during and after Aurangzeb's reign. * Competed with the English for suprem- acy in India till its decline. Administration * Shivaji was assisted by a Council of 8 ministers known as the Ashta Pradhan. Peshwa (Prime Minister) Amatya (Finance Minister) Mantri (Chronicler) Sumanth (Foreign Secretary) Sachiv (Home Secretary) Danadhyaksha (Ecclesiastical Head) Nyayadhish (Chief Justice) Senapathi (Commander-in-Chief) * System of granting Jagirs was abolished. He was a military genius and was very anxious to maintain a disciplined army. * He abolished the system of taxing of farmers; started the system of Chauth *

and Sardeshmukhi. * Justice was of primitive nature; Panchayats continued to decide disputes in the villages; Hazir Majlis was the final Court of Ap- peal. Strengths * His moral virtues were exceptionally high; sincerely religious; tolerant of other faiths; both in diplomacy and statecraft he had no equal. A cheerful person, he always strived to maintain the honour of people in his territories; entirely abstained from disgraceful acts and was careful to main- tain the honour of women and children of Mohammadans, when they fell into his hands. Weakness * Constant disputes among the Marathas, no well-considered attempt was made to educate the people of Maharashtra and to improve their intellect and character; the ignorance of the people was a great ob- stacle in the way of the success of the Maratha nation. Decline * Inherent defects in the character of the Maratha State; lack of a sound economic policy; revival of the jagir after the death of Shivaji; dependence on uncertain sources of income like chauth.

Wars 1646

S hivaji captured fort of Toma and Raigarh Shivaji killed Mughal general Afzal Khan

1659

1663 Shivaji defeated Shayista Khan 1664 Shivaji attacked and plundered Surat. 1761 Third battle of Panipat. Afghan invader Ahmed Shah Abdali defeated Marathas. 1778-82 First Maratha war ended with Treaty of Salbai.

1802-04 Second Maratha War 1817-18 Third Maratha War

Shivaji ( 1627-1680) Shivaji was bom in the hill-fort of Shivner near Junnar in 1627 to Shahji Bhonsle and Jijabai; brought up under the guidance of Dadaji Kondadev; his mother infused in him high and inspiring ideals with a deep zeal in defence of religion; grew up as a brave and