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Maratha State and Confederacy Notes with PDF

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 Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

A. Early Life and Key Events

  • Birth: Born in 1627 (or 1630) at Shivner Fort.
  • Coronation: Formally crowned as ‘Chhatrapati’ in 1674 at Raigarh.
  • Coronation Priest: The ceremony was performed by Ganga Bhatt (Vishweshwar) from Banaras, who declared him a Kshatriya.
  • Death: Died in 1680 at the age of 50 or 53.
  • Spiritual Guru: His spiritual advisor was Samarth Ramdas, author of ‘Daasbodh’ and ‘Shivastuti’.

B. Military Campaigns & Conflicts

  • Clash with Mughals: The conflict began in 1657.
  • Afzal Khan (1659): Shivaji killed Afzal Khan, who was sent by the Sultan of Bijapur to repress him.
  • Sack of Surat: Attacked and sacked Surat in 1664.
  • Mughal Captivity: Held captive by Aurangzeb in 1666 and imprisoned in the Jaipur Bhawan at Agra, from where he famously escaped.
  • Battle of Salher (1672): A significant military victory where Shivaji defeated the Mughals.

C. Administration (Ashtapradhan)

  • Established a council of eight ministers called the ‘Ashtapradhan’.
  • Ministers held independent charges, but final authority always rested with Shivaji.
  • The Eight Ministers:
    • Peshwa: Prime Minister.
    • Amatya: Finance and Revenue Minister.
    • Mantri: Interior Minister (intelligence and espionage).
    • Sachiv: In charge of official correspondence.
    • Sumant: Foreign Minister.
    • Senapati: Commander-in-Chief.
    • Pandit Rao: High Priest (religious affairs).
    • Nyayadhish: Chief Justice.

D. Miscellaneous Facts

  • Capital: His capital was Raigarh.
  • Coinage: Silver coins included the Rupaya, Lari, and Taka. The Ruka was not his coin (it was from the Kakatiya dynasty).

The Maratha Empire After Shivaji

A. Chronology of Rulers (Chhatrapatis)

  • The correct order after Shivaji is:
    1. Sambhaji (1680-1689) – Elder son of Shivaji.
    2. Rajaram (1689-1700) – Second son of Shivaji.
    3. Shivaji II (1700-1708) – Son of Rajaram.
    4. Chhatrapati Shahu (1708-1749) – Son of Sambhaji.

B. The Rise of the Peshwas

  • Balaji Vishwanath (1713-1720): Streamlined administration; his appointment marked the transfer of power from the Chhatrapati to the Peshwas.
  • The Peshwa’s position became hereditary starting with Balaji Bajirao (son of Bajirao I).
  • By 1750, the Maratha King became a nominal figurehead, and the Peshwa became the virtual ruler of the Maratha Confederacy (a union of powerful families).

C. Key Personalities

  • Tarabai: Wife of Rajaram, she led the Maratha struggle against the Mughals after his death (from 1700 AD) as regent for her infant son, Shivaji II. She was in charge at the time of Aurangzeb’s death (1707) and won back key forts.

Maratha Administration & Revenue

A. Revenue Systems

  • Chauth: A tax (claim to revenue) levied on Mughal provinces in return for protection.
  • Sardesh Mukhi: An additional tax claim, typically 10% of the revenue.
  • Saranzami System: Land revenue system where land grants were given to Maratha Jagirdars for maintenance.
  • Taxes in Chhattisgarh Region: Included Takoli (annual tribute), Sair (sales tax), Pandari (tax from non-agriculturists), and Sewai (a pecuniary tax/penalty).

B. Documentation

  • Modi Script: A distinct script used primarily for administrative and revenue documents in the Maratha Empire.

The Third Battle of Panipat (1761)

A. Basic Facts

  • Date: Fought on 14 January 1761.
  • Opponents: Maratha Empire (led by Sadashivrao Bhau) vs. Afghan forces of Ahmad Shah Abdali.
  • Result: Decisive defeat for the Marathas.

B. Causes and Aftermath

  • Immediate Cause: Ahmad Shah Abdali wanted to avenge the expulsion of his viceroy, Timur Shah, from Lahore by the Marathas.
  • Aftermath: Described as a catastrophic (“boisterous”) defeat by the eyewitness historian Kashiraj Pandit.
  • Key Figure: Najib-ud-Daula, a Rohilla chief, was the chief agent of Ahmad Shah Abdali in Delhi.

Reasons for the Rise of the Marathas

  • A combination of factors led to their rise:
    • Religious consciousness and unity among the people.
    • Geographical security of the Maharashtra region.
    • Political awakening.
    • High-quality and strong leadership, particularly of Shivaji.

Know More About the Maratha State and Confederacy:

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