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Rise of Marathas and Peshwas – Detailed Summary
Book: Samacheer Kalvi 7th Social Science
Term: Term 2
Subject: History
Unit: Unit 3
Lesson Name: Rise of Marathas and Peshwas
About the Lesson
“Rise of Marathas and Peshwas” is an important History lesson in the Samacheer Kalvi 7th Social Science book. This lesson explains the rise of Maratha power in western India, the role of Shivaji, the administrative system introduced by him, and the growth of Maratha power under the Peshwas.
The Marathas became a strong power in the Deccan and challenged the Mughal Empire. Shivaji laid the foundation of Maratha power through courage, guerrilla warfare, strong forts, disciplined administration, and efficient leadership. Later, the Peshwas expanded Maratha influence over large parts of India.
Learning Objectives
- To understand the factors responsible for the rise of the Marathas.
- To learn about the impact of geographical features on Maratha warfare.
- To know the influence of the Bhakti movement and Marathi language.
- To understand the role of Shivaji in strengthening Maratha power.
- To learn about Shivaji’s confrontation with Bijapur and the Mughals.
- To understand Shivaji’s administration and Ashtapradhan system.
- To know the meaning of Chauth and Sardeshmukhi.
- To learn about Shambhuji and Shahu.
- To understand the rise of the Peshwas.
- To know about Bajirao, Balaji Bajirao, Kamavisdar, and the Battle of Panipat in 1761.
Detailed Summary of the Lesson
1. Introduction
The rise of the Marathas was one of the most important developments in medieval Indian history. The Marathas rose in the south-western part of India and became a serious challenge to the Mughal Empire.
Shahji Bhonsle, Shivaji’s father, served first under Ahmednagar and later under Bijapur. But it was Shivaji who brought glory to the Marathas by resisting Mughal expansion in the Deccan.
2. Shivaji as a Leader
Shivaji was a brave fighter, army general, and guerrilla leader.
He built a band of brave mountaineers who were loyal to him. With their help, he captured many forts and troubled the commanders of Aurangzeb.
3. Marathas and the Decline of the Mughals
As Maratha power grew stronger, the Mughal Empire became weaker in the Deccan.
The Mughal emperor had to recognise the right of the Marathas to collect Chauth tax in the Deccan. The Marathas used warfare and revenue collection to expand their power.
4. Rise of the Peshwas
The Prime Minister of the Maratha rulers was called the Peshwa.
From the time of Shahu, the Peshwas became very powerful. They held real power and carried Maratha influence forward until 1761.
5. Factors Responsible for the Rise of Marathas
The rise of the Marathas was caused by several factors. These factors created unity, courage, military skill, and political awareness among the Maratha people.
- Geographical features of the Maratha country.
- Rocky and mountainous terrain.
- Bhakti movement in Maharashtra.
- Growth of Marathi language and literature.
- Strong leadership of Shivaji.
- Use of guerrilla warfare.
- Weakness of the Mughal Empire.
6. Geographical Features
The Maratha country had rocky and mountainous terrain. These physical features developed special qualities among the Marathas.
The mountains protected the Marathas from invaders. They also helped the Marathas practise guerrilla warfare. Forts, hills, forests, and narrow passes became useful in war.
7. Guerrilla Warfare
Guerrilla warfare means attacking the enemy suddenly and then disappearing quickly.
The rocky and mountainous land of Maharashtra was suitable for this method. Shivaji used guerrilla warfare effectively against stronger enemies like Bijapur and the Mughals.
8. Bhakti Movement and the Marathas
The spread of the Bhakti movement in Maharashtra helped the Marathas develop a sense of identity and unity.
Bhakti saints promoted social equality and religious devotion. Important Bhakti saints such as Eknath, Tukaram, and Ramdas influenced Maratha society.
9. Tukaram and Ramdas
Tukaram and Ramdas had considerable influence on the life of Shivaji.
Their teachings gave moral strength, religious inspiration, and social unity to the Maratha people.
10. Marathi Language and Literature
Marathi language and literature helped develop unity among the Marathas.
Hymns composed by Bhakti saints in Marathi were sung by people of all castes and classes. This strengthened cultural unity among the people.
11. Shivaji’s Early Life
Shivaji was born in 1627. He grew up under the care of his mother, Jijabai.
Jijabai inspired Shivaji by telling stories from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. These stories developed courage, devotion, and love for justice in him.
12. Dadaji Kondadev
Dadaji Kondadev was the teacher and guardian of Shivaji.
He trained Shivaji in horse riding, warfare, and state administration. His guidance helped Shivaji become a capable ruler and military leader.
13. Shivaji’s Early Conquests
Shivaji began his military career at a young age. At the age of eighteen, in 1645, he captured Kondana, a fort near Poona.
In the following year, he captured Torna. Later, he conquered Raigarh and rebuilt it. Raigarh later became an important centre of Maratha power.
14. Shivaji and Bijapur
Shivaji’s military activities angered the Sultan of Bijapur.
The Sultan of Bijapur sent Afzal Khan to defeat Shivaji. But Shivaji killed Afzal Khan in 1659 and strengthened his position.
15. Mavali Foot Soldiers
In the beginning, the backbone of Shivaji’s army was infantry.
The strength of his army was the Mavali foot soldiers. They were brave, loyal, and familiar with the hill regions.
16. Importance of Forts
Shivaji gave great importance to forts. Forts helped him defend his kingdom and attack enemies strategically.
He captured and strengthened many hill forts. Forts became the backbone of Maratha military power.
17. Shivaji and the Mughals
Shivaji challenged the Mughal power in the Deccan. He captured Puranthar from the Mughals.
His raids and military strength troubled Mughal commanders. Aurangzeb was determined to stop Maratha interference in his Deccan campaigns.
18. Shivaji’s Political System
Shivaji’s political system consisted of three circles. At the centre was Swaraj, the land directly ruled by Shivaji.
Shivaji protected people from harassment, loot, and plunder. He wanted a disciplined and just administration.
19. Chauth
Chauth was one-fourth of the revenue collected as protection money.
People paid Chauth to the Marathas for protection from loot and plunder.
20. Sardeshmukhi
Sardeshmukhi was an extra one-tenth of the revenue.
It was collected as the chieftain’s due. Chauth and Sardeshmukhi became important sources of Maratha income.
21. Shivaji’s Army
Shivaji gave great attention to his army and training of soldiers.
In the beginning, infantry was the backbone of his army. Later, cavalry, forts, and guerrilla warfare strengthened his military power.
22. Ashtapradhan
Shivaji appointed eight ministers to help him in administration. This council of eight ministers was called Ashtapradhan.
Each minister had a specific responsibility. This system helped Shivaji organise his administration efficiently.
23. Peshwa
Peshwa was the Prime Minister in the Maratha administration.
Later, during the time of Shahu, the Peshwas became the real holders of power in the Maratha state.
24. Amatya or Mazumdar
Amatya or Mazumdar was the Finance Minister in Shivaji’s Ashtapradhan system.
This minister looked after the financial matters of the kingdom.
25. Sumant or Dubeer
Sumant, also called Dubeer, was the Foreign Minister.
He looked after foreign affairs and relations with other powers.
26. Senapati
Senapati was the Commander-in-Chief of the army.
He was responsible for military organisation and leadership in war.
27. Nyayadhish
Nyayadhish was the Chief Justice.
He looked after justice and legal matters in the Maratha state.
28. Shivaji’s Revenue Administration
Shivaji was influenced by the Mughal revenue system.
Revenue assessment was made on actual yield. Three-fifths of the produce was left to the cultivator, and two-fifths was taken by the government.
29. Village Administration
Each village had a powerful headman called Patil.
The Patil was assisted by the village accountant or record keeper called Kulkarni.
30. Shambhuji
Shambhuji was the son of Shivaji. He succeeded Shivaji after a succession struggle with Anaji Datto.
Shambhuji faced strong Mughal pressure. During his period, Aurangzeb himself came to the Deccan in 1681.
31. Kavi Kalash
Kavi Kalash was the family priest of Shambhuji.
He influenced Shambhuji in day-to-day administration. When Shambhuji was captured by the Mughals, Kavi Kalash was also captured and executed.
32. Execution of Shambhuji
Aurangzeb wanted to annex Bijapur and Golconda. These kingdoms fell to him by 1687.
Later, Shambhuji was captured by the Mughals and put to death after torture. This was a serious blow to the Marathas, but they continued their resistance.
33. Shahu Maharaja
Shahu was the grandson of Shivaji. He ruled from 1708 to 1749.
During Shahu’s reign, Maratha territory increased. Tribute was regularly collected, and a stronger state structure began to take shape.
34. Maratha State Under Shahu
Shahu strengthened Maratha power by giving titles and authority to those who served him.
During his rule, the Peshwas became very powerful and began to control the real administration of the Maratha state.
35. Balaji Vishwanath
Balaji Vishwanath became Peshwa in 1713. He had started his career as a small revenue official.
He helped Shahu consolidate Maratha power. After him, the office of the Peshwa became hereditary and more powerful.
36. Bajirao I
Bajirao became Peshwa in 1720 when he was about twenty years old.
He decided to launch a strong Maratha attack against the Mughals and the Nizam of Hyderabad. He assumed the powers of commander-in-chief.
37. Bajirao’s Military Policy
Bajirao selected capable commanders from loyal Maratha families.
He gave commands to the Gaikwad, Holkar, and Shinde or Scindia families. These families later became prominent Maratha houses.
38. Prominent Maratha Families
- Gaikwad – Baroda
- Bhonsle – Nagpur
- Holkar – Indore
- Shinde or Scindia – Gwalior
- Peshwa – Pune
39. Bajirao’s Achievements
Bajirao proclaimed wars against Malwa and Gujarat and freed them from Mughal domination.
He defeated the Mughal army and the troops of the Nizam. He succeeded in getting recognition for Shahu as the king of Maharashtra and overlord of the Deccan.
40. Chauth and Sardeshmukhi Under Bajirao
Bajirao secured the right to collect Chauth and Sardeshmukhi legally in the Deccan.
He centralised fiscal functions in Pune. This helped the Marathas receive tribute from the Deccan quickly.
41. Balaji Bajirao
Balaji Bajirao became Peshwa in 1740 and remained in power until 1761.
During his period, Emperor Shahu died in 1749. Balaji Bajirao prevented succession struggles and concentrated power in the office of the Peshwa.
42. Pune as Capital
Balaji Bajirao decided that Pune would be the capital instead of Satara.
From this time, real power and authority were concentrated in the Peshwa’s office.
43. Maratha Army Under Balaji Bajirao
Balaji Bajirao commanded an army of paid soldiers.
Maratha soldiers were no longer permitted to return every year to cultivate their fields. They were required to live in forts and towns far away from home.
44. Maratha Expansion Under Balaji Bajirao
During Balaji Bajirao’s period, the northern frontier of the Maratha state rapidly moved towards Rajasthan, Delhi, and Punjab.
Maratha raids from Nagpur reached Bihar, Bengal, and Odisha. Tamil, Kannada, and Telugu regions also came under Maratha influence.
45. Peshwa Revenue Administration
The revenue administration of the Peshwas was headed by a key official called Kamavisdar.
The Kamavisdar was appointed by the Peshwa. He maintained a small body of soldiers to police the area from which tribute or tax had to be collected.
46. Record Keeping Under Peshwas
The Peshwas were careful in keeping records.
Ledgers, correspondence, and account books show that they maintained accurate records of revenue and administration.
47. Revenue Collection Contracts
Revenue collection contracts were auctioned annually after the expected revenue of an area was estimated.
The person who won the contract had to be wealthy and honest. He had to pay a portion of the anticipated revenue in advance.
48. Fall of the Marathas
The high point of Maratha power ended at Panipat in 1761.
The Marathas tried to extend their power beyond Punjab, but they were checked by Ahmad Shah Abdali, the king of the Afghans.
49. Battle of Panipat in 1761
Ahmad Shah Abdali inva
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