Causes of rise
The rise of the Marathas In the second half of the seventeenth century is an epoch-making event in Indian history. The factors responsible for it were as follows:
- The unique geography of the region
- Religious revivalist movements of the preceding centuries creating a sort of renaissance among the larger Maratha peasantry
- Evolution of Marathi as a common language
- Military training under the Deccani Sultans
Shivaji
Shivaji belonged to the Bhonsle Clan of Marathas. His father Shahji was a Military commander under Nizam Shahi, ruler of Ahmadnagar. Alter the fall of Ahmadnagar, he transferred his service to Bijapur. Shivaji was born to Jijabai in the hill fortress of Shivner in Poona In 1627. Apart irom Jijabai the two persons who influenced the life of Shivaii were Dadaji Konddev and Gur Ramdas.
Shivaji first captured the fort of Torana in1646. With the booty he built the fort of Raigarh. Ali Adil Shah of Bijapur sent Afzal Khan to teach Shivaji a lesson In 1659, but Afzal Khan was killed by Shivaii. On April 14, 1663 Shivaii carried out a very daring night attack on the camp of Shaista Khan, the Mughal Governor of Deccan. Aurangzeb transferred Shaista Khan to Bengal as punishment. In I664, Shivaji sacked the rich port town of Surat for the first time.
Aurangzeb sent Mirza Raja Jai Singh and Diler Khan to destroy Maratha power. The ‘Treaty of Parandhar’ was signed in 1565. By this treaty Shivaji surrendered 23 out of the 35 forts he had hold. His son was arrested and later freed. In 1670, he sacked Surat for the second time. He defeated the Mughals in the 'Battle of Salher’ in 1672. He was coronated with great pomp and show at Raigarh in 1674 and assumed the title of ‘Maharaja Chatrapati’. He died 1n 1680.
Shivaji was succeeded by Sambhaji and he in turn succeeded by Rajaram. He shifted his headquarters to Jingi. Rajaram claimed that he was ruling on behalf of Shahu and so never sat on throne. On the death of Rajaram his gallant wife Tarabai became the regent of her infant son Shivaji II.
Azam Shah the son of Aurangzeb released Shahu in 1707. His advisor Zulfikar Khan hoped that it would led to a civil war among the Marathas. In November 1707 Tarabai was defeated in a place called Khed. In 1708 Shahu was coronated at Satara. Thus Shahu emerged victorious and a new imperialism started in Peshawar.
The Peshwas
Balaji Vishwanath (1712-1720 A.D): Helped Shahu in consolidating his position and played a Crucial role in the treaty signed by Shahu and Hussain Ali, died 1n 1720; He was the 7th peshawa.
Balaji Rao I (1720-1740 A.D.): The eldest son of Balaji Vishwanath, popularized the ideal of ‘Hindu Padshahi’, or Hindu empire, defeated the Nizam near Palkhed (1728), again defeated Nizam, who fought on Mughal side at the battle of Bhopal (1737).
Balaji Baji Rao (1740-1761 A.D.): Defeated Alivardi Khan of Bengal to surrender Orissa and annual payment of 12 lakhs as Chauth. Under him the Supreme power had passed in the hands of Peshwa after the Saugola Argument(l750). The Third Battle of Panipat took place in 1761.
Madhava Rao (1761 - 1772 A.D.): Thereafter Maratha kingdom divided into semi-independent States; important among them were-Holkar at Indore, Bhonsle at Nagpur, Scindia at Gwalior and Gaekwad at Baroda.
Administration
The Maratha administration was based on the pattern adopted by Malik Ambar in Ahmadnagar and Mahmood Gawah in Bahmani Kingdom. The Maratha Kingdom was called 'Swarajya' or ‘Mulk-i-Kadim'.
Shivaji Kingdom was parcelled out into four provinces (Mahal or Suba) under the charge of a Subedar or Mahalutdar. The Mahals were divided into parganas and parganas into ’Tarfs’ and Tarfs were divided into Mauza. The Marathas collected 'Chauth' or one fourth of the land revenue. The 'Sardesh Mukhi' or one tenth of the standard land revenue was imposed on the entire population. The territories of the enemies on which Chauth and Sardeshmukhi were levied was called 'Mughlai'. Saranjami System was sa system of revenue grants given to soldiers instead of their salaries. Shivaji was helped by eight ministers or 'Ashtapradhan'
Ashtapradhan of Shivaji
Peshwa or Mukya Pradhan - Prime Minister
Amatya or Maujadar - Finance Minister
Mantri or Waqianavis - Recorded proceedings of Court
Sachiva or Suranavis - Incharge of royal secretariat and king's correspondence
Sumant of Dabir - Foreign Minister
Senapati or Sar-i-naubat - Commander-in-chief
Pandit Rao or Dandadhyaksha - Religious advise of King
Nyayadish - Highest court of appeal; Next after the king.
Rajaram created a new post of Pratinidhi.
All Ministers except Pandit Rao and Nyayadhish participated in war
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