Maratha Empire

The Maratha Empire, often called the Maratha Confederacy, was a major political power in the Indian subcontinent.

It functioned as a collection of states under the nominal leadership of the Chhatrapatis. The Chhatrapatis were the sovereign rulers who succeeded the founder, Shivaji. While the Chhatrapatis held the title, the actual administration was often led by the Peshwa. The Peshwa was a position similar to a prime minister. This complex structure allowed the Marathas to manage vast territories across India. Historians sometimes debate the best name for this system. Some argue "empire" implies too much central control. Others suggest "confederacy" implies a stability that the changing power dynamics did not always show.

The empire began with the rise of Shivaji in the 17th century. Shivaji was an aristocrat from the Bhonsle clan. He sought to establish Hindavi Swarajya, or self-rule. He began his resistance against the Bijapur Sultanate in 1645 by capturing the fort of Torna. Shivaji eventually established an independent kingdom with Raigad as its capital. In 1674, he was crowned Chhatrapati. At the time of his death, his dominion covered about 4.1% of the subcontinent. His military was strong, consisting of 40,000 cavalry and 50,000 soldiers. He also reinforced his territory with approximately 300 forts and naval establishments on the west coast.

After Shivaji died, his son Sambhaji succeeded him in 1681. Sambhaji continued to expand Maratha influence by defeating the Portuguese and the ruler of Mysore. However, the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb launched a massive campaign against the Marathas. Aurangzeb brought an army of about 500,000 troops to the south. In 1689, Sambhaji was captured and executed by the Mughal forces. Following his death, his half-brother Rajaram took the throne. Rajaram had to flee to places like Vishalgad and Gingee to stay safe from Mughal sieges. His widow, Tarabai, later assumed control to protect her son's interests.

A new era of growth began under Shahu, the grandson of Shivaji. Shahu appointed the Bhat family as hereditary Peshwas. This shift moved effective power from the Chhatrapatis to the Peshwas. One of the most significant leaders was Peshwa Bajirao I, who served from 1720 to 1740. Under his leadership, the Maratha Kingdom expanded tenfold. It grew from covering 3% of the Indian landscape to 30%. Bajirao I was known for his brilliant military strategy. He famously defeated the Nizam at the Battle of Palkhed in 1728. He also led a successful raid on the suburbs of Delhi in 1737.

The Maratha state functioned as a confederacy of several powerful families. These families expanded conquests into northern and central India. The Scindia family was one of the major leading houses. The Holkar family was based in Indore. The Bhonsle family operated out of Nagpur. The Gaekwad family was based in Baroda. These rulers became increasingly independent over time. By 1737, the stable borders of the confederacy reached from modern-day Maharashtra to Gwalior. The territory also stretched east toward Orissa. This covered about 2.5 million square kilometers, or one-third of the subcontinent.

The Marathas used specific methods to fund their vast administration. They collected two important types of revenue: chauth and sardeshmukhi. These were taxes collected from various provinces. The Marathas also maintained a strong presence on the sea. They used various types of ships to protect their interests. Their naval strength helped them challenge European powers like the Portuguese. For example, Chimaji Appa led the Marathas to victory against the Portuguese at the Battle of Vasai. This victory was a major achievement during the era of Bajirao I.

The empire faced a major turning point at the Battle of Panipat in 1761. They were defeated by the Durrani Empire, which halted their rapid expansion. However, the Marathas were resilient. Under Peshwa Madhavrao I, they retook most of their lost territories ten years later. Eventually, internal conflicts weakened the bond between the chiefs. In 1802, after being defeated by the Holkar dynasty, Peshwa Baji Rao II sought help from the British East India Company. This intervention led to the Second and Third Anglo-Maratha Wars. By 1818, the British had destroyed the confederacy, ending Maratha political dominance in the region.