THE MARATHA SUPREMACY

In the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan series, the rise of the Marathas as a formidable challenge to Mughal hegemony is primarily covered in Volume VIII: The Maratha Supremacy (1707–1818 CE). However, the foundational period under Shivaji is introduced in the latter parts of Volume VII.

This volume marks the transition from a regional resistance movement to a pan-Indian empire that, for a time, became the de facto successor to the Mughals before the British ascent.

1. The Foundation: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

The "Maratha Spirit" is traced back to the military and administrative genius of Shivaji.

• Guerrilla Warfare: The volume details his use of the rugged Sahyadri geography, high-speed cavalry, and hill forts to neutralize the superior numbers of the Bijapur Sultanate and the Mughals.

• The Concept of Hindavi Swarajya: Shivaji’s vision of a self-ruled Hindu state that was inclusive and administratively sophisticated.

• Ashta Pradhan: The council of eight ministers that managed the kingdom, emphasizing a shift from feudalism to a structured bureaucracy.

2. The Era of the Peshwas (1713–1761)

After the death of Aurangzeb and the release of Shahu (Shivaji's grandson), the real power shifted from the Chhatrapati to the Peshwas (Prime Ministers).

• Balaji Vishwanath: The first great Peshwa who secured the right to collect Chauth (1/4th tax) and Sardeshmukhi from Mughal provinces, effectively making the Mughals tributaries.

• Baji Rao I: Often considered the greatest cavalry general in Indian history. He expanded Maratha power into North India, famously reaching the gates of Delhi and defeating the Nizam of Hyderabad.

• The Maratha Confederacy: Under Balaji Baji Rao (Nana Saheb), the empire became a confederacy of powerful families: the Gaekwads (Baroda), Scindias/Shindes (Gwalior), Holkars (Indore), and Bhonsles (Nagpur).

3. The Turning Point: Third Battle of Panipat (1761)

A significant portion of Volume VIII is dedicated to the clash between the Marathas and the Afghan invader Ahmad Shah Abdali.

• The Conflict: The Marathas fought to protect the "Empire of India" against a foreign invader, but were hampered by a lack of allies and supply line issues.

• The Aftermath: While the Marathas lost nearly an entire generation of leaders, the volume argues that the defeat was not a total collapse. It checked Afghan expansion and allowed the Marathas to regroup within a decade.

4. The Maratha Resurrection and the British Challenge

• Mahadji Shinde: He is credited with restoring Maratha prestige in North India, re-installing the Mughal Emperor as a puppet, and modernizing the Maratha army with European-style infantry and artillery.

• Nana Phadnavis: Known as the "Maratha Machiavelli," he managed the complex internal politics of the Confederacy and held off British intervention for years.

• The Anglo-Maratha Wars: The volume meticulously tracks the three wars against the British East India Company. It concludes with the Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817–1818), where internal dissensions and superior British diplomacy finally led to the dissolution of the Peshwa's office.

5. Socio-Economic Impact

The Maratha era is analyzed for its unique contributions to Indian governance:

• The Revenue System: Reliance on Chauth and Sardeshmukhi, which provided a steady income but often alienated neighboring states.

• Naval Power: The volume highlights the work of Kanhoji Angre, who established a powerful Maratha Navy that challenged European maritime powers on the Konkan coast.

• Cultural Patronage: The revival of Sanskrit, the promotion of Marathi as a court language, and the construction of numerous temples (like the Shaniwar Wada) in Pune.