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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

Following the death of Aurangzeb in 1707, the Mughal Empire began to disintegrate. Into this vacuum, the Marathas—originally founded under Chhatrapati Shivaji in the 17th century—rose as a powerful military and political confederacy. Though initially regional rebels, the Marathas eventually transformed into de facto rulers of much of India by the mid-18th century. Their ambition brought them into frequent conflict with both the declining Mughals and the rising British East India Company, setting the stage for one of the most important power struggles in pre-colonial Indian history.

1. Origins and Foundation under Shivaji

  • Chhatrapati Shivaji Bhonsle (1630–1680) laid the foundation of the Maratha kingdom in the Western Ghats.

  • Created a professional army and navy, and implemented a well-organized administration.

  • His guerrilla warfare tactics, knowledge of terrain, and strategic forts made him a formidable force against the Mughals.

  • Crowned in 1674 at Raigad, he declared sovereignty from the Mughals and established Hindavi Swarajya (self-rule).

2. Post-Shivaji Developments and the Role of the Peshwas

a. Sambhaji and Shahu

  • Shivaji's son Sambhaji was captured and executed by Aurangzeb in 1689.

  • After Aurangzeb’s death, Shahu, Shivaji’s grandson, was released by the Mughals to divide the Maratha camp.

  • Shahu appointed Balaji Vishwanath as Peshwa (Prime Minister), beginning the real shift of power from the king to the Peshwas.

b. Rise of Peshwa Supremacy

  • The Peshwas, beginning with Balaji Vishwanath (1713–1720) and followed by Baji Rao I (1720–1740), expanded Maratha influence deep into North India.

  • Under Baji Rao I, the Marathas became the real power in India, defeating the Mughals and other regional kingdoms.

3. Maratha Expansion and the Confederacy

The Maratha Confederacy was not a unified empire but a network of semi-autonomous chiefs, loyal to the Peshwa:

  • Gaekwads in Baroda

  • Holkars in Indore

  • Scindias in Gwalior

  • Bhonsles in Nagpur

  • Peshwas in Pune (central leadership)

They extended Maratha control from the Deccan Plateau to Punjab in the north, Bengal in the east, and Gujarat and Malwa in the west.

4. The Third Battle of Panipat (1761): A Turning Point

  • The Marathas clashed with Ahmad Shah Abdali (Durrani) near Panipat in 1761.

  • Sadashiv Rao Bhau led the Maratha army, which included the teenage prince Vishwas Rao.

  • Though well-organized, the Maratha forces were overstretched and lacked local support.

  • Decisive defeat for the Marathas: over 100,000 soldiers died, and leadership was shattered.

  • This marked the end of their northward expansion and a major psychological blow.

5. Post-Panipat Recovery and British Confrontation

a. Madhav Rao I (1761–1772)

  • Despite the Panipat disaster, Madhav Rao I, a young and capable Peshwa, revived the Maratha power.

  • He reasserted control over central India and re-established dominance over rebellious Sardars.

  • The confederacy regained its former strength but was soon challenged by a new force: the British East India Company.

b. Anglo-Maratha Wars

First Anglo-Maratha War (1775–1782)

  • Triggered by a succession dispute after the death of Madhav Rao I.

  • Ended with the Treaty of Salbai, restoring status quo but recognizing the Marathas as a formidable power.

Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803–1805)

  • Sparked by British involvement in internal Maratha rivalries.

  • Scindia and Bhonsle forces were defeated at Assaye and Argaon by Arthur Wellesley (later Duke of Wellington).

  • Resulted in significant loss of Maratha territory to the British.

Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817–1818)

  • Led by Peshwa Baji Rao II, this was the final resistance against British rule.

  • Marathas were completely defeated, and the Peshwa was dethroned.

  • The Maratha Confederacy was formally dissolved, and its territories annexed.

6. Administration and Military

  • Ashtapradhan council system of Shivaji was replaced by centralized Peshwa rule.

  • Adopted revenue reforms, and fort-based military planning.

  • Marathas were known for their light cavalry and guerrilla warfare skills.

  • Revenue collection through Chauth (25%) and Sardeshmukhi (10%) from subdued territories.

7. Maratha Legacy

  • Unified large parts of India post-Mughals.

  • Played a major role in delaying British expansion in the 18th century.

  • Helped preserve indigenous administrative, military, and social structures.

  • Influenced regional politics, language (Marathi), and culture even after their political fall.

Conclusion

The rise of the Maratha Confederacy represented a powerful indigenous challenge to Mughal hegemony and later to British colonial ambitions. While their confederal structure allowed flexibility and rapid expansion, it also resulted in lack of unity during crisis—as seen at Panipat. Their military prowess, strategic acumen, and administrative innovations left an indelible mark on Indian history. Despite their fall in the early 19th century, the Marathas remained a symbol of resistance and pride in India’s long fight for sovereignty.