Maratha

The Marathas - Indian History - Rise of Marathas

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• published: 13 Oct 2015
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The Marathas' rise to power was a dramatic turning point that accelerated the demise of Muslim dominance in India. Maratha chieftains were originally in the service of Bijapur sultans in the western Deccan, which was under siege by the Mughals. Shivaji Bhonsle (1630-80 A.D) is recognized as the "father of the Maratha nation." Shivaji Bhosle, founder of the Maratha Empire, was born in 1630 AD, in the fort of Shivneri, 40 miles north of Pune. By 1647, Shivaji had captured two forts and had the complete charge of Pune. He slowly started capturing forts in the region, Purandar, Rajgad, Torna. In 1659 Shivaji succeeded in killing of famous Adilshahi general Afzal Khan and demoralizing his army. He took advantage of this conflict and laid the foundation of Maratha Kingdom near Pune, which later became the Maratha capital. Shivaji used guerilla tactics and brilliant military strategies to lead a series of successful assaults in the 1660s against Mughal strongholds, including the major port of Surat. He lost to Aurangzeb's General Jai Singh and was arrested in 1666. He made a daring escape and regained his lost territory and glory. By 1673, he had control over most of western Maharashtra and had made 'Raigad' capital. In 1674 he assumed the title of "Chhatrapati" at his elaborate coronation. At the time of his death in 1680, nearly whole of the Deccan belonged to his kingdom. He had developed an efficient administration and a powerful army. His son Sambhaji succeeded Shivaji. He was taken prisoner and executed by Aurangzeb, in 1689. Rajaram, Shivaji's second son then took the throne. After the death of Rajaram in 1700 Tarabai, the widow of Rajaram, put her young son Sambhaji II on the throne, at the tender age of ten, and continued the struggle against Aurangzeb. Tarabai continued to fight against the Mughals and captured Rajgad, the former capital of the Maratha's. The fight against the Mughals ended with the death of Aurangzeb in 1707. Balance of power shifted towards Marathas, which was soon to be controlled by Peshwas. Shivaji's grandson and Sambhaji's son Sahuji was released from Mughals captivity in 1707. He challenged Tarabai and Sambhaji II for the Maratha leadership and with the help of his Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath, Sahuji became the Maratha Empror. Though as a Maratha Emperor Shahuji had a huge territory in his possession but he was mostly a titular head of the Maratha emipre. He kept away from regular politics and settled down at Satara. Maratha Empire was virtually governed by the Peshwas of Pune. After Shahuji's death in 1749 his adopted son, Rajaram II succeeded him.