About the Maratha Empire and the Peshwas
The Maratha Empire was one of the greatest powers of India in the 17th and 18th centuries. It was founded by Shivaji Bhonsle, who built a strong kingdom in the Deccan by fighting the Mughals, the Adil Shahi kingdom of Bijapur and other enemies. After Shivaji, the office of the Peshwa (prime minister) became all-powerful, and the Peshwas turned the Maratha kingdom into a vast empire that at its height controlled much of India.
Shivaji (1627–1680)
Shivaji was born in 1627 AD at Shivneri fort. His father was Shahaji Bhonsle and his mother was Jijabai; his spiritual guide was Ramdas. He fought many battles against the Bijapur Sultanate and the Mughals. In 1659 he killed the Bijapur general Afzal Khan at Pratapgarh. He also fought Shaista Khan and Raja Jai Singh, and in 1665 he signed the Treaty of Purandar. He was taken to Agra by Aurangzeb in 1666 but made a daring escape. In 1674 AD he crowned himself Chhatrapati at Raigad.
Shivaji’s administration was remarkable. He was assisted by the Ashtapradhan (council of eight ministers), the most important being the Peshwa. He collected two taxes from neighbouring territories: Chauth (one-fourth of the revenue) and Sardeshmukhi (an additional one-tenth). He built a strong army of Mavali infantry and cavalry, a navy, and about three hundred forts.
The Peshwas
After Shivaji, his successors Sambhaji, Rajaram and Tarabai struggled against the Mughals. Gradually the Peshwas became the real rulers. The great Peshwas were:
- Balaji Vishwanath (1713–1720): the first Peshwa; secured recognition and rights for the Marathas.
- Baji Rao I (1720–1740): the greatest Peshwa, who is said never to have lost a battle. He expanded Maratha power into Malwa, Gujarat and Bundelkhand and carried Maratha arms to the gates of Delhi and beyond.
- Balaji Baji Rao (Nana Saheb) (1740–1761): during his time the Marathas reached their greatest extent but suffered a terrible defeat at the Third Battle of Panipat (1761).
- Madhav Rao and later Peshwas: capable, but eventually overshadowed by the Maratha chiefs.
The Maratha Confederacy
After the Third Battle of Panipat the Marathas recovered under Madhav Rao, but the empire gradually became a confederacy of five chiefs: the Peshwa (Pune), the Gaekwad (Baroda), the Bhonsle (Nagpur), the Scindia (Gwalior) and the Holkar (Indore). Because these chiefs often quarrelled among themselves, the confederacy became weak.
The Anglo-Maratha Wars
The British fought three Anglo-Maratha Wars: the First (1775–1782), the Second (1803–1805) and the Third (1817–1818). The Treaty of Bassein (1802) with the Peshwa gave the British great influence. After the Third War the Maratha power came to an end by 1818 AD, and the British became the paramount power in India.
Timeline of the Maratha Empire
- 1627 AD: Birth of Shivaji at Shivneri.
- 1659 AD: Shivaji kills Afzal Khan at Pratapgarh.
- 1665 AD: Treaty of Purandar.
- 1666 AD: Shivaji’s visit to Agra and his escape.
- 1674 AD: Shivaji crowned Chhatrapati at Raigad.
- 1680 AD: Death of Shivaji.
- 1713 AD: Balaji Vishwanath becomes Peshwa.
- 1720–1740 AD: Baji Rao I expands the Maratha Empire.
- 1761 AD: Third Battle of Panipat; the Marathas are defeated by Ahmad Shah Abdali.
- 1802 AD: Treaty of Bassein.
- 1818 AD: End of Maratha power after the Third Anglo-Maratha War.
Main Facts about the Maratha Empire (Quick Revision Bullets)
- Founder of the Maratha Empire: Shivaji (crowned 1674).
- Shivaji’s birthplace: Shivneri.
- Shivaji’s mother and guru: Jijabai and Ramdas.
- Shivaji’s title: Chhatrapati.
- Bijapur general killed by Shivaji: Afzal Khan (1659).
- Treaty of Purandar: 1665 AD.
- Council of eight ministers: Ashtapradhan.
- Taxes collected by Shivaji: Chauth and Sardeshmukhi.
- First Peshwa: Balaji Vishwanath.
- Greatest Peshwa: Baji Rao I.
- Third Battle of Panipat: 1761 AD; Ahmad Shah Abdali defeated the Marathas.
- Five Maratha chiefs: Peshwa, Gaekwad, Bhonsle, Scindia and Holkar.
- Treaty of Bassein: 1802 AD.
- End of Maratha power: 1818 AD.
Important Persons and Terms
- Shivaji: founder of the Maratha Empire; Chhatrapati; builder of forts and a navy.
- Jijabai: mother of Shivaji; Ramdas: his spiritual guru.
- Afzal Khan: Bijapur general killed by Shivaji at Pratapgarh.
- Tarabai: capable regent after Rajaram.
- Balaji Vishwanath: first Peshwa.
- Baji Rao I: greatest Peshwa; expanded the empire.
- Balaji Baji Rao (Nana Saheb): Peshwa during the Third Battle of Panipat.
- Ahmad Shah Abdali: Afghan invader who won at Panipat (1761).
- Ashtapradhan: council of eight ministers of Shivaji.
- Chauth and Sardeshmukhi: taxes collected from neighbouring lands.
Why the Marathas Matter for Exams
Common questions: Who founded the Maratha Empire? (Shivaji.) Who was the greatest Peshwa? (Baji Rao I.) Who killed Afzal Khan? (Shivaji.) When was the Third Battle of Panipat? (1761.) Who invaded India at that time? (Ahmad Shah Abdali.) What were Chauth and Sardeshmukhi? (Taxes collected by Shivaji.) A common trap is to confuse the first Peshwa (Balaji Vishwanath) with the greatest Peshwa (Baji Rao I), and to place the Third Battle of Panipat at the wrong date.
How to Prepare This Topic
- Learn Shivaji’s career. Birth, Afzal Khan, Purandar, Agra and the coronation.
- Learn the Ashtapradhan and the taxes. Peshwa and Chauth/Sardeshmukhi.
- Learn the Peshwas in order. Balaji Vishwanath, Baji Rao I and Balaji Baji Rao.
- Learn the three Anglo-Maratha Wars and the Treaty of Bassein.
- Learn the five chiefs of the confederacy.
Common Exam Traps
- Shivaji founded the empire; the Peshwas later became the real rulers.
- Baji Rao I, not Balaji Vishwanath, was the greatest Peshwa.
- Afzal Khan was killed at Pratapgarh in 1659.
- The Third Battle of Panipat (1761) was a Maratha defeat, not a victory.
- The Treaty of Bassein (1802) was signed with the British.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded the Maratha Empire and when was Shivaji crowned?
The Maratha Empire was founded by Shivaji Bhonsle. He was crowned Chhatrapati at Raigad in 1674 AD after building a strong kingdom in the Deccan by fighting the Bijapur Sultanate and the Mughals.
Who was the greatest Peshwa and what did he achieve?
Baji Rao I (1720–1740) was the greatest Peshwa. He is said never to have lost a battle. He expanded Maratha power into Malwa, Gujarat and Bundelkhand and carried Maratha arms to the gates of Delhi and beyond.
What were Chauth and Sardeshmukhi?
Chauth was one-fourth of the revenue (or produce) collected by Shivaji from neighbouring territories, and Sardeshmukhi was an additional one-tenth. These taxes helped finance his army and administration.
What was the Third Battle of Panipat and what was its result?
The Third Battle of Panipat was fought in 1761 AD between the Marathas and the Afghan invader Ahmad Shah Abdali. The Marathas suffered a heavy defeat, which checked their expansion for some time, though they recovered under Madhav Rao.
What were the five parts of the Maratha confederacy?
The Maratha confederacy consisted of five chiefs: the Peshwa (Pune), the Gaekwad (Baroda), the Bhonsle (Nagpur), the Scindia (Gwalior) and the Holkar (Indore). Their mutual quarrels weakened the confederacy.
How did the Maratha power come to an end?
The British fought three Anglo-Maratha Wars (1775–1782, 1803–1805 and 1817–1818). The Treaty of Bassein (1802) gave the British great influence, and after the Third War the Maratha power ended by 1818 AD, making the British the paramount power in India.