Maratha Empire: Rise, History, Timeline, Kings, Peshwa Era & Wars

The rise of the Maratha empire was not a random event, but rather the result of a long-standing social and religious movement in Maharashtra. The Marathas, a tribe of Marathi-speaking warriors from the western Deccan Plateau, were important when the Adil Shahi kingdom was falling apart and the Mughal Empire was too big to handle.

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The Maratha Empire Map and Territorial Expansion

At its inception, the maratha empire map was confined to the rugged terrain of the Western Ghats (Sahyadri). However, at the maratha empire at its peak during the 18th century, it stretched from the Indus River in the north to the Kaveri in the south, and from Kutch in the west to Odisha in the east. This expansion was driven by a sophisticated military strategy involving "Ganimi Kava" (guerrilla warfare) and a decentralized administrative structure.

The Maratha Empire Flag

The Jaripatka is the flag of the Maratha Empire. It is a saffron-colored (Bhagwa) pennant. The Maratha cavalry carried this flag over the Indian subcontinent. It stood for "Hindavi Swarajya," or "Self-rule of Hindus." The saffron color stood for bravery and sacrifice, and it brought together the many Maratha clans.

History, Kings, and the Peshwa Era

There are two main parts to the history of the Marathas: the time of the Chhatrapatis (Kings) and the time of the Peshwas (Prime Ministers).

The Time of the Chhatrapatis (1674–1749)

• Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (1674–1680): The founder who set up the "Ashta Pradhan," or Council of Eight Ministers. He put the "Rayatwari" system into place, which got rid of middlemen and let him interact directly with farmers.

• Sambhaji Maharaj (1681–1689): He kept fighting Aurangzeb but was caught and killed.

• Rajaram and Maharani Tarabai: After Sambhaji died, they led the Maratha War of Independence against the Mughals.

• Chhatrapati Shahu (1708–1749): After being freed from Mughal prison, he ruled while power shifted from the emperor to the Peshwas.

The Peshwa Era (1713–1818)

At first, the Peshwas were the Prime Ministers, but over time they became the real rulers of the kingdom.

• Balaji Vishwanath was the first strong Peshwa. He got the right to collect Chauth (1/4th tax) and Sardeshmukhi (an extra 10% tax) from Mughal territories.

• Baji Rao I: He was known for never losing a fight and for expanding the empire into North India. He also came up with the idea of "Hindu Pad Padshahi."

• Balaji Baji Rao (Nana Saheb): The Maratha Empire reached its greatest size under his administration, but the Third Battle of Panipat was a calamity for the empire.

Maratha Administration and Military

The Marathas introduced unique administrative systems:  

1. Chauth: A tax consisting of one-fourth of the land revenue paid to avoid Maratha raids.  

2. Sardeshmukhi: An additional 10% tax claimed by the Chhatrapati as the hereditary head of the state.

3. Military Structure: While Shivaji Maharaj focused on infantry and forts, the Peshwa era saw a shift toward a massive cavalry-based system.

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Significant Wars and the Timeline of Decline

The Maratha Empire’s trajectory was defined by its constant state of warfare against the Mughals, Afghans, and eventually the British East India Company.  

The Three Anglo-Maratha Wars

1. First Anglo-Maratha War (1775–1782): Initiated by the Treaty of Surat and concluded with the Treaty of Salbai, which established a 20-year peace.  

2. Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803–1805): Internal conflicts between Maratha chiefs (Scindia, Holkar, Bhonsle) led to British intervention. The Treaty of Bassein forced the Peshwa into a subsidiary alliance.  

3. Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817–1818): This was the final conflict. The Marathas were defeated, the Peshwa office was abolished, and the Maratha territories were absorbed into the British Bombay Presidency.  

Timeline of Key Events

• 1674: Coronation of Shivaji Maharaj at Raigad.  

• 1719: Treaty with Mughals granting Marathas revenue rights in the Deccan.

• 1737: Baji Rao I raids Delhi.  

• 1761: The Third Battle of Panipat (Marathas vs. Ahmad Shah Abdali).

• 1818: Fall of the Maratha Empire at the Battle of Koregaon and Basti.

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Maratha Empire FAQs

1. Who was the most powerful king of the Maratha Empire?

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is considered the most powerful and influential king as he founded the empire and established the core administrative and military frameworks. In terms of expansion, Peshwa Baji Rao I is often cited as the greatest military commander.  

2. What caused the downfall of the Maratha Empire?

The downfall was caused by internal dissension among the Maratha confederacy (Scindia, Holkar, Gaekwad, and Bhonsle), the lack of a strong central leadership after the death of Madhavrao I, and the superior diplomatic and military technology of the British East India Company.

3. What were Chauth and Sardeshmukhi?

Chauth was a levy of 25% of the revenue of a district in exchange for protection against Maratha raids. Sardeshmukhi was an additional 10% tax charged by the Marathas as a claim of their legal suzerainty over the Deccan.  

4. Which battle is considered the turning point for the Marathas?

The Third Battle of Panipat (1761) is the major turning point. Although the empire recovered somewhat under Peshwa Madhavrao I, the massive loss of manpower and prestige allowed the British to gain a stronger foothold in India.  

5. Where was the capital of the Maratha Empire?

The capital changed over time: Raigad was the first capital under Shivaji Maharaj, followed by Jinji, Satara, and eventually Pune during the Peshwa era.