The Maratha Empire (1674-1818) emerged from the Deccan as the most formidable indigenous power to challenge Mughal supremacy and later British expansion. Shivaji (1630-1680) founded the Swarajya through guerrilla warfare, forts, and a mobile cavalry. The Peshwas (Balaji Vishwanath, Baji Rao I, Balaji Baji Rao) transformed it into a confederacy controlling much of India. The Third Battle of Panipat (1761) and Anglo-Maratha Wars (1775-1818) ended Maratha dominance.[TOPIC CLASSIFICATION]
Topic type: Medieval History - Maratha Empire
PYQ frequency: Very High
Exam stage: Prelims + Mains
Primary GS paper: GS 1
[EXAMINER REASONING]
Trap: Attributing the Maratha Confederacy's structure to Shivaji. Shivaji created a centralized monarchy with the Ashtapradhan (8 ministers); the confederacy (Peshwa, Holkar, Scindia, Bhonsle, Gaekwad) evolved later under the Peshwas.
Most confused: The sequence of Peshwas: Balaji Vishwanath (1713-20, diplomacy) -> Baji Rao I (1720-40, expansion, 'cavalry never tied to a post') -> Balaji Baji Rao/Nanasaheb (1740-61, Panipat) -> Madhav Rao (1761-72, recovery) -> Narayan Rao (1772-73, murdered) -> Sawai Madhav Rao (1774-95) -> Baji Rao II (1796-1818, last).
Key anchor: Shivaji's coronation (1674, Raigad, Gagabhatta) and the Ashtapradhan: Peshwa (PM), Amatya (finance), Sachiv (correspondence), Mantri (intelligence), Senapati (commander), Sumant (foreign), Nyayadhish (justice), Panditrao (religion). The Chauth (1/4 revenue) and Sardeshmukhi (1/10) as revenue claims.
Current affairs hook: Shivaji's 350th coronation anniversary (2024). Raigad fort UNESCO nomination. Maratha naval bases (Sindhudurg, Vijaydurg) as 'blue economy' precursors. The 'Maratha military system' (guerrilla, forts, light cavalry) in modern defense studies. Panipat 260th anniversary (2021).
Mains hinge: Evaluate: Was the Maratha Confederacy a centralized empire or a feudal coalition? The tension between Peshwa authority and sardar autonomy (Holkar, Scindia, Bhonsle, Gaekwad) and its role in the 1818 collapse is the Mains frame.
Core Concept
Shivaji (1630-1680) carved out the Swarajya from the Bijapur Sultanate and Mughal Deccan. Key events: Torna fort (1646, first capture), Afzal Khan killing (1659, Pratapgad), Shaista Khan attack (1663, Pune), Surat sack (1664, 1670), coronation (1674, Raigad), Karnataka campaign (1677-78). Administration: Ashtapradhan (8 ministers), revenue system (ryotwari, 30-40% state share), forts (360+), navy (Angre). Guerrilla warfare (ganimi kava), light cavalry, hill forts.
After Shivaji: Sambhaji (1680-89, captured/executed by Aurangzeb), Rajaram (1689-1700, Jinji), Tarabai (regent, 1700-07). Shahu (1707-49, released by Bahadur Shah I) appointed Balaji Vishwanath as Peshwa (1713).
Peshwa era (1713-1818): Balaji Vishwanath (1713-20, Treaty of Lonavla 1714, Mughal recognition of Chauth/Sardeshmukhi). Baji Rao I (1720-40, 'cavalry never tied to a post', expanded to Malwa, Gujarat, Bundelkhand, defeated Nizam at Palkhed 1728, Portuguese at Bassein 1739). Balaji Baji Rao/Nanasaheb (1740-61, expanded to Punjab, Bengal, Orissa; Third Battle of Panipat 1761 vs Ahmad Shah Abdali, lost). Madhav Rao (1761-72, recovery, defeated Hyder Ali, Nizam). Anglo-Maratha Wars: 1st (1775-82, Treaty of Salbai), 2nd (1803-05, Treaty of Surji-Anjangaon), 3rd (1817-18, end of Maratha power). Confederacy: Peshwa (Poona), Holkar (Indore), Scindia (Gwalior), Bhonsle (Nagpur), Gaekwad (Baroda).
exam_relevance: Very High PYQ frequency, tested in GS1 Prelims and Mains
UPSC Question Themes (Illustrative)
Treat these as original practice prompts unless a linked official UPSC paper is provided; they are not represented as verbatim PYQs.
| Type | Stage | What was tested |
|------|-------|-----------------|
| Practice | Prelims | Shivaji's coronation took place at: Raigad (1674) |
| Practice | Prelims | The Ashtapradhan was the council of: Eight ministers |
| Practice | Mains | Analyze the rise of the Maratha power under Shivaji and the Peshwas |
| Practice | Prelims | The Third Battle of Panipat (1761) was fought between: Marathas and Ahmad Shah Abdali |
| Practice | Prelims | Chauth and Sardeshmukhi were: Maratha revenue claims on Mughal territories |
| Practice | Mains | Discuss the causes of the decline of the Maratha Empire |
| Practice | Prelims | Baji Rao I's famous quote: 'Cavalry never tied to a post' |
| Practice | Prelims | The Treaty of Salbai (1782) ended: First Anglo-Maratha War |
| Practice | Mains | Evaluate the Maratha administrative system under Shivaji |
| Practice | Prelims | The Maratha navy was commanded by: Kanhoji Angre |
Statement Elimination Guide
Correct: Shivaji's Ashtapradhan had eight ministers with specific portfolios.
False: The Maratha Confederacy was created by Shivaji. (False. Shivaji created a centralized monarchy; the confederacy evolved under the Peshwas.)
Trap: Chauth was a tax collected by the Mughals from Marathas. (False. Chauth was Maratha claim for 1/4 revenue from Mughal/other territories.)
Correct: Baji Rao I expanded Maratha power to Malwa, Gujarat, and Bundelkhand.
False: The Third Battle of Panipat was fought between Marathas and the British. (False. Marathas vs Ahmad Shah Abdali/Afghans.)
Trap: All Peshwas were hereditary from Balaji Vishwanath. (False. Narayan Rao and Sawai Madhav Rao were adopted; Baji Rao II was adopted son of Raghunath Rao.)
Current Affairs Hook
Shivaji's 350th coronation anniversary (2024, June 6). Raigad fort UNESCO World Heritage nomination. Maratha naval forts (Sindhudurg, Vijaydurg) as early 'blue economy' models. Panipat 260th anniversary (2021). The 'Maratha military system' (guerrilla, hill forts, light cavalry) studied in modern defense courses. Shiv Jayanti (Feb 19) as state holiday in Maharashtra.
Interlinkages
GS 1 (Primary): Medieval History - Maratha Empire, Swarajya, Confederacy