Rise of the Marathas

The Marathas were a Marathi-speaking warrior people from the western Deccan Plateau (modern-day Maharashtra) who rose to prominence through the establishment of Hindavi Swarajya (meaning “self-rule of Hindus”). Under the leadership of Shivaji, who revolted against the Adil Shahi dynasty and the Mughals to carve out a kingdom with Raigad as its capital in the 17th century, the Marathas rose to prominence. 

Background

• Raigad was the capital of the Maratha Empire, which began as a small kingdom in western India.
• The famous Maratha Chief Shivaji Maharaj established a Hindavi-Swarajya by leading Marathas against the Sultan of Bijapur (Adil Shahi Dynasty).
• Shivaji was crowned as Chatrapati, or Sovereign, in 1674.
• Shivaji’s son, Sambhaji, was seized and executed by Aurangzeb’s army in Deccan, while his son, Shahu, was taken, prisoner.
• Bahadur Shah I liberated Shahu in 1707, and the Marathas quickly established themselves.
• The states of Satara and Kolhapur were established, and Shahu appointed Balaji Vishwanath to the position of Sena-Karte (Organizer of Forces). Later, the post of Peshwa, or Prime Minister, was created.
• Balaji and his ancestors played a significant role in Maratha’s growth.
• Because of their mobility, they were able to maintain a strong position even further during the Mughal-Maratha Wars.
• As a result, their empire stretched to Tamil Nadu in the south, Peshawar in the north, and Bengal in the east.

Factors Responsible for Rise of Marathas

• The character of the Marathas: All of the Marathas are energetic, hardy, and preserving. If they lack the Rajputs’ pride and dignity, they also lack the Rajputs’ indolence and lack of worldly wisdom. And all of these characteristics were a result of their country’s unique physical characteristics.
• Influence of language and literature: Eknath promoted pride in the Marathas’ home tongue, which contributed to a sense of belonging and togetherness among the Marathas.
• The geographical conditions: Maharashtra’s geographic position and natural attributes aided the Maratha Empire’s ascent to dominance.
• A big portion of Maratha’s country is a plateau, and the Marathas had to fight for survival. As a result of this, the Marathas were brave and hardworking.
• Guerilla warfare: Because of the rugged terrain, the Marathas were able to use guerilla warfare to great effect. Soldiers were accommodated in the villages’ dispersed sections. The invaders were vulnerable to surprise attacks from forts on the crests of hills.
• Training in the art of administration: The Marathas had gained expertise and instruction in the art of administration long before Shivaji’s ascent to power.
• A large number of Marathas worked for the Muslim rulers of the Deccan in various departments, particularly the tax department.
• The Maratha Jagirdars had a significant part in the political affairs of Bijapur, Ahmednagar, Berar, and Golkonda, among other states. Maratha statesmen and warriors effectively governed several departments.
• The unstable political condition of the South: The Muslim kingdoms in the south were on the verge of collapsing. The political climate was ideal for the Marathas to rise to power.
• The charismatic personality of Shivaji: Before Shivaji Maharaj’s ascension, the Maratha race was scattered like atoms among several Deccan kingdoms.
• Shivaji united them into a powerful nation despite the opposition of four powerful forces: the Mughal Empire, Bijapur, Portuguese India, and the Abyssinians of Janjira.
• He was not only the founder of the Maratha Empire, but also the greatest constructive genius of medieval India, and the remembrance of a true hero like Shivaji has left an indelible historical legacy for humanity.