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× #1 The Indus Valley Civilization: Foundations of Urban Culture in Ancient India #2 The Indus Valley Civilization: Foundations of Urban Culture in Ancient India #3 Vedic Civilization: Evolution of Society and Thought in Ancient India #4 Mahajanapadas and the Rise of Kingdoms in Ancient India #5 The Rise of the Mauryan Empire under Chandragupta Maurya #6 Emperor Ashoka and the Spread of Buddhism #7 Decline of the Mauryan Empire #8 The Rise of the Shunga Dynasty and the Brahmanical Revival #9 The Satavahana Dynasty – Bridging North and South India #10 The Indo-Greek and Kushan Invasions – Crossroads of Cultures #11 The Sangam Age – Literature, Trade, and Tamilakam’s Golden Past #12 Mauryan Empire – Political Centralization and Ashoka’s Dhamma #13 Post-Mauryan Age – Indo-Greeks, Shakas, Kushans, and Cultural Exchanges #14 The Rise and Achievements of the Gupta Empire (c. 320–550 CE) #15 Post-Gupta Period and the Rise of Regional Kingdoms (c. 550–750 CE) #16 Pallavas and Chalukyas: South India’s Classical Kingdoms (c. 6th–8th Century CE) #17 Rashtrakutas and Their Contributions to Art and Empire (c. 8th–10th Century CE) #18 Pandyas and Cheras: Southern Trade and Cultural Flourishing (c. 6th Century BCE – 13th Century CE) #19 The Rise of the Maurya Empire and the Role of Chandragupta Maurya #20 The Reign of Bindusara – Consolidation and Expansion of the Maurya Empire #21 Foundation and Expansion of the Delhi Sultanate #22 Alauddin Khalji’s Market Reforms and Military Expansion #23 Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s Ambitious Experiments and Their Consequences #24 Firoz Shah Tughlaq’s Welfare State and Religious Orthodoxy #25 Rise of the Vijayanagara Empire: Foundation, Expansion, and Administration #26 Bahmani Sultanate: Origin, Administration, and Cultural Contributions #27 Delhi Sultanate under the Tughlaq Dynasty: Reforms, Failures, and Legacy #28 Vijayanagara Empire: Rise, Administration, Culture, and Downfall #29 Bahmani Kingdom: Origin, Culture, and Struggle with Vijayanagara #30 Delhi Sultanate in the South: Influence on the Deccan #31 Krishna Deva Raya: The Philosopher King and His Administration #32 Battle of Talikota (1565) and the Decline of the Vijayanagara Empire #33 Mughal Empire: Rise under Babur and Humayun #34 Akbar the Great: Expansion and Consolidation of the Mughal Empire #35 Jahangir and Shah Jahan: Continuity, Culture, and the Peak of Mughal Aesthetics #36 Aurangzeb: Orthodoxy, Expansion, and the Seeds of Decline #37 Later Mughals and the Decline of the Empire (1707–1857) #38 The Maratha Confederacy: Rise, Expansion, and Conflicts with the Mughals and British #39 The Rise and Fall of the Sikh Empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh #40 Bhakti and Sufi Movements: Spiritual Awakening in Medieval India #41 Mughal Administration: Centralization, Mansabdari, and Provincial Governance #42 Rise of the Marathas: Shivaji, Administration, and Expansion #43 Peshwa Administration and the Expansion of Maratha Power in North India #44 Third Battle of Panipat (1761): Causes, Course, and Consequences #45 Decline of the Mughal Empire: Internal Weaknesses and External Pressures #46 Establishment of British Power in India: From Trading Company to Political Empire #47 The Revolt of 1857: Causes, Events, and Consequences #48 Social Reform Movements in 19th Century India: Bridging Tradition and Modernity #49 Formation of the Indian National Congress (1885): The Birth of Political Awakening in India #50 Partition of Bengal (1905): Divide and Rule Strategy and the Rise of Extremist Nationalism #51 The Surat Split (1907): Clash of Moderates and Extremists in the Indian National Congress #52 The Home Rule Movement (1916): Laying the Foundation for Self-Governance #53 The Lucknow Pact (1916): A Rare Moment of Hindu-Muslim Unity #54 The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms and the Government of India Act, 1919: A Step Forward or a Tactical Delay? #55 The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22): Gandhi’s Mass Awakening of India #56 Simon Commission and Nehru Report (1927–28): Rejection, Resistance, and the Quest for Dominion Status #57 Lahore Session of 1929 and the Demand for Purna Swaraj: The Tricolour of Defiance #58 Civil Disobedience Movement (1930–34): Salt, Satyagraha, and the Spirit of Rebellion #59 Round Table Conferences (1930–1932): Dialogues Amidst Dissonance #60 Government of India Act 1935: The Last Colonial Blueprint #61 Quit India Movement (1942): A Call for “Do or Die” #62 Indian National Army and Subhas Chandra Bose: The Armed Resistance Against Empire #63 The Royal Indian Navy Revolt (1946): Mutiny That Rocked the Empire #64 The Mountbatten Plan and the Partition of India (1947): Final Steps to Freedom #65 Integration of Princely States and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s Role: The Iron Man’s Mission to Unite India #66 Formation and Adoption of the Indian Constitution: The Framing of a Republic #67 Nagara style of Temple Architecture and its regional variations #68 Dravida Style of Temple Architecture and Its Features #69 The Legacy and Philosophy of Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati #70 The Arya Samaj Movement and Its Impact on Indian Society #71 India’s Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) and the UNESCO list #72 Tribal Art and Culture of India: Warli, Gond, and Santhal Traditions #73 The syncretic nature of Sufi and Bhakti movements in promoting social harmony #74 Contributions of ancient India to Science and Mathematics (e.g., metallurgy, astronomy) #75 Development of Rock-Cut Architecture from Mauryan caves to Pallava Rathas #76 Maritime history of ancient and medieval India: Trade, cultural exchange, and naval power #77 The role and status of women in the Vedic and post-Vedic periods #78 The influence of Buddhist art and philosophy on Southeast Asian culture #79 Raja Ram Mohan Roy #80 Swami Vivekananda #81 Swami Dayananda Saraswati #82 Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar #83 Sri Ramakrishna Paramhamsa #84 Rani Lakshmibai: The Warrior Queen of Jhansi #85 Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: The Architect of Modern India's Social Justice #86 Jyotirao Phule: The Pioneer of Social Reform and Education in Modern India #87 Gopal Krishna Gokhale: The Moderate Reformer and Mentor of Gandhi #88 Bal Gangadhar Tilak: The Father of Indian Unrest and the Awakening of National Consciousness #89 Annie Besant: The Theosophist, Reformer, and Catalyst for Indian Nationalism #90 Dadabhai Naoroji: The Grand Old Man of India and the Architect of Economic Nationalism #91 Gopal Krishna Gokhale: The Liberal Reformer and Mentor of Mahatma Gandhi #92 Bal Gangadhar Tilak: Father of Indian Unrest and Champion of Swaraj #93 Bhagat Singh: The Revolutionary Who Lit the Flame of Freedom #94 Lala Lajpat Rai: The Lion of Punjab and a Voice of Assertive Nationalism #95 Robert Clive (1754-1767) #96 Warren Hastings (1772–1785): The First Governor-General of India #97 Lord Cornwallis (1786–1793): Reformer of British Administration in India #98 Lord Wellesley (1798–1805): Architect of British Supremacy through Subsidiary Alliance #99 Tipu Sultan: The Tiger of Mysore and the Struggle Against British Colonialism #100 DEVELOPMENT OF CIVIL SERVICES #101 Champaran Satyagraha

HISTORY

Introduction

The Maratha Empire, originally shaped by Shivaji’s brilliance, found renewed vigor and administrative sophistication under the Peshwas. The role of the Peshwa evolved from a mere minister to the actual head of the Maratha polity. From the early 18th century till the mid-1770s, Peshwas like Balaji Vishwanath, Baji Rao I, and Madhavrao I carried the Maratha banner deep into North India. They created a federated structure, controlled multiple provinces, and engaged in diplomacy with Mughals, Rajputs, and even the British.

1. Evolution of the Peshwa Office

  • Under Shivaji, the Peshwa was part of the Ashta Pradhan (Council of Eight Ministers).

  • After Shivaji's death, the Peshwa's role became more powerful, especially from the time of Balaji Vishwanath.

  • Eventually, the Peshwas became the de facto rulers, with the Maratha king reduced to a figurehead.

2. Prominent Peshwas and Their Contributions

a. Balaji Vishwanath (1713–1720)

  • Negotiated with the Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar to recognize Shahu (Shivaji's grandson) as the legitimate Maratha ruler.

  • Secured the right to collect Chauth (25%) and Sardeshmukhi (10%) from Mughal provinces.

  • Established diplomatic relations with Rajputs and other Deccan powers.

b. Baji Rao I (1720–1740)

  • Considered one of the greatest military strategists in Indian history.

  • Expanded Maratha power into Malwa, Bundelkhand, Gujarat, and even up to Delhi.

  • Famous for his lightning-fast cavalry raids, often covering hundreds of miles in days.

  • Supported Bundela chief Chhatrasal, married his daughter Mastani.

  • Quote attributed to him: “Let us strike at the trunk of the withering tree (the Mughals), not its branches.”

c. Balaji Baji Rao (Nana Saheb) (1740–1761)

  • Expanded the empire but faced administrative challenges.

  • Maratha territory at its peak—stretching from Tamil Nadu to Attock (now in Pakistan).

  • Faced defeat in the Third Battle of Panipat (1761), marking a major turning point.

d. Madhavrao I (1761–1772)

  • Rebuilt Maratha strength after Panipat.

  • Focused on internal reforms, restoring discipline in the army, and improving finances.

  • Successfully re-established Maratha supremacy in the Deccan and parts of North India.

3. Peshwa Administration and Governance

a. Confederacy Structure

  • The Maratha Empire under the Peshwas evolved into a confederacy.

  • Major Maratha houses operated semi-autonomously:

    • Scindias of Gwalior

    • Holkars of Indore

    • Gaekwads of Baroda

    • Bhonsles of Nagpur

  • Peshwas acted as chief coordinators, collecting tribute and settling disputes.

b. Centralized Revenue System

  • Maintained land revenue collection through the Ryotwari system.

  • Chauth and Sardeshmukhi were important sources of external revenue.

c. Judicial and Military Structure

  • Maintained district-level military commanders (Sardars) and tax officials (Deshmukhs).

  • No codified laws; decisions were based on custom, dharma, and royal decrees.

4. Expansion into North India

  • Marathas moved aggressively into Delhi, Punjab, and Awadh.

  • In 1737, Baji Rao I even attacked Delhi, forcing the Mughals into submission.

  • Played a key role in protecting Hindus and regional rulers from Afghan and Mughal oppression.

  • Controlled and collected revenues from Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa by the mid-18th century.

5. Third Battle of Panipat (1761)

  • A watershed moment in Maratha history.

  • Fought between the Marathas and Ahmad Shah Abdali (Durrani king of Afghanistan).

  • Though they fielded a large army under Sadashivrao Bhau, internal disunity and strategic errors led to a devastating defeat.

  • Nearly 100,000 soldiers died, including key Maratha leaders and Vishwasrao (heir apparent).

6. Post-Panipat Recovery and Legacy

  • Madhavrao I’s reign restored Maratha pride and political strength.

  • Recovered lost territories and reorganized military units.

  • Set the stage for later confrontations with the British East India Company.

7. Impact and Importance of the Peshwas

  • Converted the Maratha kingdom into a pan-Indian empire.

  • Introduced federalism, rare in medieval Indian polity.

  • Played a decisive role in weakening the Mughals.

  • Their fall in the early 19th century marked the end of native Indian empires before full British colonization.

Conclusion

The era of the Peshwas was one of administrative efficiency, military expansion, and political foresight. Leaders like Baji Rao I and Madhavrao I demonstrated that Indian empires could still challenge foreign domination with unity and strategy. While internal divisions and overextension led to setbacks, the Peshwas undeniably left a lasting imprint on Indian history. Their story is also a tale of vision, ambition, and the fragile nature of political alliances—offering deep insights into pre-colonial Indian polity.