Maratha Empire

Shivaji (1627-1680) was a Maratha aristocrat of the Bhosle clan who is considered to be the founder of the Maratha empire. Shivaji led a resistance to free the Marathi people from the Sultanate of Bijapur from 1645 and establish Hindavi Swarajya (self-rule of Hindu people). He created an independent Maratha kingdom with Raigad as its capital and successfully fought against the Mughals to defend his kingdom. He was crowned as Chhatrapati (sovereign) of the new Maratha kingdom in 1674. The state Shivaji founded was a Maratha kingdom comprised about 4.1% of the subcontinent but spread over large tracts. At the time of his death, it was dotted with about 300 forts, about 40,000 cavalry, 50,000 foot soldiers and naval establishments all over the west coast. Over time, the kingdom would increase in size and heterogeneity; by the time of his grandson, and later under the Peshwas in the early 18th century, it was a full-fledged empire.

Sai Bhosale (c.1633- 5 September 1659) was the first wife and chief consort of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha Empire. She was the mother of her husband's successor and the second Chhatrapati, Sambhaji.

Saibai was a member of the prominent Nimbalkar family, whose members were the rulers of Phaltan from the era of the Pawar dynasty and served the Deccan sultanates and the Mughal Empire. She was a daughter of the fifteenth Raja of Phaltan, Mudhojirao Naik Nimbalkar and a sister of sixteenth Raja, Bajaji Rao Naik Nimbalkar. Saibai's mother Reubai was from the Shirke family.

After his accession to the throne and the dramatic death of Afzal Khan, Aurangzeb sent Shaista Khan as viceroy of the Deccan with a large army to defeat Shivaji. In January 1660 Shaista Khan arrived at Aurangabad and quickly advanced, seizing Pune, the center of Shivaji's realm. He also captured the fort of Chakan and Kalyan and north Konkan after heavy fighting with the Maratha, 259-60 The Maratha were banned from entering the city of Pune and Mughal distance from the locals turned out to be an error. On the evening of 5 April 1663, a wedding party had obtained special permission for holding a procession. Shivaji and many of his nearly 400 men disguised as the bridegroom's procession members entered Pune. Others entered in small parties dressed as labourers and soldiers of Maratha generals serving under Shaista Khan. After midnight, they raided the Nawab's compound and then entered the palace in an attempt to assassinate Shaista Khan.

Shaista Khan was clearly unaware and unprepared. The Marathas broke into the courtyard of the palace and slaughtered the palace guards. Shaista Khan lost three fingers in a skirmish with Shivaji, while his son was killed in an encounter with the Marathas in the palace courtyard. Forty attendants were also killed. Taking advantage of the confusion and darkness, the Marathas escaped the palace and Pune, despite the widespread camping of Mughal forces. Shocked by the sudden and bold attack in Pune, Aurangzeb angrily transferred Shaista Khan to Bengal, even refusing to give him an interview at the time of transfer as was the custom.

Battle of Surat, also known as the Sack of Surat, was a land battle that took place on January 5, 1664, near the city of Surat, Gujarat, India between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Inayat Khan, a Mughal captain. The Marathas defeated the small Mughal force and engaged in sacking Surat.

According James Grant Duff, a captain in the British India Regiment, Surat was attacked by Shivaji on 5 January 1664. This was a wealthy port city in Mughal empire for the sea trade of the era. The city was well populated mostly by Hindus and a few Muslims, specially the officials in the Mughal administration of the city. The attack was so sudden that the population had no chance flee. The plunder was continued for six days, two-thirds of the city was burned down and there was smoke in the air for many days. The loot was then transferred to Raigad fort.

The Treaty of Purandar was signed on June 11, 1665, between the Rajput ruler Jai Singh I, who was commander of the Mughal Empire, and Maratha Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Shivaji was forced to sign the agreement after Jai Singh besieged Purandar fort. When Shivaji realized that war with the Mughal Empire would only cause damage to the empire and that his men would suffer heavy losses, he chose to make a treaty instead of leaving his men under the Mughals.

Following are the main points of the treaty:

1.Shivaji kept twelve forts, along with an area worth an income of 100,000 (1 lakh) huns.

2.Shivaji was required to help the Mughals whenever and wherever required.

3.Shivaji's son Sambhaji was tasked with the command of a 5,000-strong force under the Mughals.

4.If Shivaji wanted to claim the Konkan area under Vijapur's control, he would have to pay 4 million (40 lakh) huns to the Mughals.

5.He had to give up his forts at Purandar, Rudramal, Kondana, Khandagla, Lohagad, Isagad, Tung, Tikona, Rohida fort, Nardurga, Mahuli, Bhandardurga, Palaskhol, Rupgad, Bakhtgad, Morabkhan, Manikgad, Saroopgad, Sakargad, Marakgad, Ankola, Songad, and Maangad.

Along with these requirements, Shivaji agreed to visit Agra to meet Aurangzeb for further political talks.

In 1666, Aurangzeb invited Shivaji to Agra, along with his nine-year-old son Sambhaji. Aurangzeb's plan was to send Shivaji to Kandahar, now in Afghanistan, to consolidate the Mughal empire's northwestern frontier. However, in the court, on 12 May 1666, Aurangzeb made Shivaji stand behind mansabdārs (military commanders) of his court. Shivaji took offence and stormed out of court,[23]:78 and was promptly placed under house arrest under the watch of Faulad Khan, Kotwal of Agra.

Shivaji feigned severe illness and requested to send most of his contingent back to the Deccan, thereby ensuring the safety of his army and deceiving Aurangzeb. Thereafter, on his request, he was allowed to send daily shipments of sweets and gifts to saints, fakirs, and temples in Agra as offerings for his health. After several days and weeks of sending out boxes containing sweets, Sambhaji, being a child had no restrictions and was sent out of the prison camp and Shivaji, disguised as labourer carrying sweet basket escaped on 17 August 1666, according to the Mughal documents. Shivaji and his son fled to the Deccan disguised as sadhus (holy men). After the escape, rumours of Sambhaji's death were intentionally spread by Shivaji himself in order to deceive the Mughals and to protect Sambhaji. Recent research has proposed that Shivaji simply disguised himself as a Brahmin priest after performance of religious rites at the haveli grounds on 22 July 1666, and escaped by mingling within the departing priestly entourage of Pandit Kavindra Paramananda. Sambhaji was removed from Agra and taken to Mathura later by Shivaji's trusted men.

Shivaji was crowned king of the Marathas in a lavish ceremony at Raigad on 6 June 1674. In the Hindu calendar it was on the 13th day (trayodashi) of the first fortnight of the month of Jyeshtha in the year 1596. Pandit Gaga Bhatt officiated, holding a gold vessel filled with the seven sacred waters of the rivers Yamuna, Indus, Ganges, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri over Shivaji's head, and chanted the coronation mantras. After the ablution, Shivaji bowed before Jijabai and touched her feet. Nearly fifty thousand people gathered at Raigad for the ceremonies. Shivaji was bestowed with the sacred thread jaanva, with the Vedas and was bathed in an abhisheka. Shivaji was entitled Shakakarta ("founder of an era") and Kshatriya Kulavantas ("head of Kshatriyas"), and Chhatrapati ("paramount sovereign"). He also took the title of "Haindava Dharmodhhaarak".

His mother Jijabai died on 18 June 1674, within a few days of the coronation. Considering this a bad omen, a second coronation was carried out 24 September 1674, this time according to the Bengali school of Tantricism and presided over by Nischal Puri.

The state as Shivaji founded it was a Maratha kingdom comprising about 4.1% of the subcontinent at the time he died, but over time it was to increase in size and heterogeneity, and by the time of the Peshwas in the early 18th century the Marathas were dominant across the northern and central regions of the Indian subcontinent.

Jijabai Shahaji Bhosale (12 January 1598-17 June 1674), sometimes referred to as Rajmata Jijabai or even simply Jijai, was the mother of Shivaji, founder of Maratha Empire.

Jijabai was born on 12 January, 1598, as the daughter of Lakhojirao Jadhav of Deulgaon, near Sindkhed, in present-day Buldhana district of state (maharastra) Her mother's name was Mhalsabai. As per the customs of that age, Jijabai was married at an early age to Shahaji, son of Maloji Bhonsle of Verul village, a military commander serving under the Adil Shahi sultans of Bijapur Sultanate in present-day Karnataka. The wedding was held in Sindkhed on 5 Nov, 1605, when Jijabai was eight years old and her husband was twelve years old. She was his first wife. As per custom, Jijabai remained with her parents for several years before joining her husband.

Jijabai's father-in-law, Maloji Bhonsle, had begun his career as a shilledar serving under the command of her father, Lakhojirao Jadhav. Her natal family (the Jadhav family) was of relatively high standing in the region, whereas her husband's family were just rising into importance newly and according to some accounts, they had risen from the ranks of the Kunbi caste of cultivators. This difference in background and status meant that Jijabai's father had not been very happy to give his daughter in marriage to Shahaji, son of Maloji Bhonsle. He had wanted that his daughter should be given in marriage to an even higher house and he had agreed to the proposal made by Maloji only after some pressure.

Sambhaji Bhosale (May 14, 1657-March 11, 1689) was the eldest son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of Maratha Empire and his first wife Maharani Saibai. He was successor of the realm after his father's death. Sambhaji's rule was largely shaped by the ongoing wars between the Maratha kingdom and Mughal Empire as well as other neighbouring powers such as the Siddis, Mysore and the Portuguese in Goa. He ruled for 9 years. Sambhaji was captured, tortured and executed by the Mughals, and succeeded by his brother Rajaram Chhatrapati.

Rajaram Raje Bhonsle (24 February 1670 - 3 March 1700 Sinhagad) was the younger son of Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji, and half-brother of Sambhaji. He took over the Maratha Empire as its third Chhatrapati after his brother's death at the hands of the Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb in 1689. He had a very short reign, during which he was engaged in a struggle with the Mughals.

Chauth (from Sanskrit meaning one-fourth) was a regular tax or tribute imposed, from early 18th century, by the Maratha Empire in India. It was an annual tax nominally levied at 25% on revenue or produce, hence the name. It was levied on the lands which were under the nominal Mughal rule. The Sardeshmukhi was an additional 10% levy on top of the Chauth. It is a tribute paid to the king.

Both type of tax started by Shivaji.

In March 1680, Shivaji fell ill with fever and dysentery, dying around 3-5 April 1680 at the age of 52, on the eve of Hanuman Jayanti. Putalabai, the childless eldest of the surviving wives of Shivaji committed sati by jumping in his funeral pyre. The other surviving spouse, Sakwarbai, was not allowed to follow suit because she had a young daughter. Rumours followed Shivaji's death, with Muslims opining he had died of a curse from Jan Muhammad of Jalna, and some Marathas whispering that Soyarabai, the youngest of the three wives who survived him, had poisoned him so that his crown might pass to her 10-year-old son Rajaram. After Shivaji's death, Soyarabai made plans with various ministers of the administration to crown her son Rajaram rather than her prodigal stepson Sambhaji. On 21 April 1680, ten-year-old Rajaram was installed on the throne. However, Sambhaji took possession of the Raigad Fort after killing the commander, and on 18 June acquired control of Raigad, and formally ascended the throne on 20 July. Rajaram, his wife Janki Bai, and mother Soyrabai were imprisoned, and Soyrabai executed on charges of conspiracy that October.

Moropant Trimbak Pingle (1620-1683), also known as Moropant Peshwa, was the first Peshwa of the Maratha Empire, serving on Shivaji's Ashta Pradhan Council of Eight.

Balaji Vishwanath (Bhatt) (1662-1720), better known as Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath, was the sixth Peshwa and the first of a series of hereditary Peshwas (Marathi for Prime Minister) hailing from the Chitpavan Kokanastha Brahmin Hindu family who gained effective control of the Maratha Empire during the 18th century. Balaji Vishwanath assisted a young Maratha Emperor Shahu to consolidate his grip on a kingdom that had been racked by civil war and persistent attack by the Mughals under Aurangzeb. He was called "the second founder of the Maratha State." Later,his son Bajirao became the peshwa. His second son Chimnaji Appa won the vasai fort.

Shahu appointed Balaji Vishwanath as Peshwa on 16 November 1713.

Sambhaji Bhosale (May 14, 1657-March 11, 1689) was the eldest son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of Maratha Empire and his first wife Maharani Saibai. He was successor of the realm after his father's death. Sambhaji's rule was largely shaped by the ongoing wars between the Maratha kingdom and Mughal Empire as well as other neighbouring powers such as the Siddis, Mysore and the Portuguese in Goa. He ruled for 9 years. Sambhaji was captured, tortured and executed by the Mughals, and succeeded by his brother Rajaram Chhatrapati.

Bajirao was born into the Bhat family of Kokanastha Chitpavan Brahmin lineage. His father Balaji Vishwanath was the first Peshwa of Chhatrapati Shahu; his mother was Radhabai. Baji Rao had a younger brother Chimaji Appa and two sisters, Bihubai Joshi and Anubai Ghorpade. He spent his childhood in his father's newly acquired fiefdom of Saswad.

Kavi Kalash (died March 1689 CE, Tulapur) was an Indian Brahmin from Kanauj, a poet, and friend and personal advisor to Maratha king Sambhaji (reigned 1680-1689). Though liked by his king, Kavi Kalash was widely disliked by the Maratha aristocracy, who called him Kalusha - "instigator of strife".

Kavi Kalash was captured, along with Sambhaji, by the enemy Mughal army in Sangmeshwar. Kavi Kalash was heavily chained to prevent his using "sorcery", and the two high-ranking captives were paraded through the Mughal camp attired as clowns, and tied to camels.

After the death of Sambhaji, Rajaram was crowned at Raigad on 12 March 1689. As the Mughals started laying siege to the region around Raigad on 25 March 1689, the widow of Sambhaji, Maharani Yesubai and her minister Ramchandra Pant Amatya sent young Rajaram to the stronghold of Pratapgad through Kavlya ghat. The Maratha army fought with the Mughals and led the new Maratha king, Rajaram to escape through Kavlya ghat to the fort of Jinji in present-day state of Tamil Nadu via Pratapgad and Vishalgad forts, Rajaram reached Keladi in disguise and sought refuge from Keladi Chennamma - The brave queen fought the Mughals and ensured safe passage and escape of Rajaram to Jinji, Keladi Chennamma fought the jungle warfare which frustrated the Mughals and the Mughals proposed peace accord for the first time with an Indian ruler, Keladi Chennamma ensured safe travel of Rajaram to jingi by fighting the mughals where he reached after a month and a half long journey on 1 November 1689. Details of this escape are known from the incomplete poetical biography of Rajaram, the Rajaramacharita written by his Rajpurohit, Keshav Pandit, in Sanskrit.

Rajaram occupied the fort at Jinji from 11 Nov. 1689, but left before it fell in 1698, setting up his court at fort Satara. During that period when Jinji remained unconquered, "the intrepid Maratha commanders, Santaji Ghorpade and Dhanaji Jadhav, wrought havoc in the Karnataka and Maharashtra by defeating the Mughal generals and cutting off their lines of communication."

The captured Sambhaji and Kavi Kalash were taken to Bahadurgad, where Aurangzeb humiliated them by parading them wearing clown's clothes and they were subjected to insults by Mughal soldiers. Accounts vary as to the reasons for what came next: Mughal accounts state that Sambhaji was asked to surrender his forts, treasures, and names of Mughal collaborators with the Marathas and that he sealed his fate by insulting both the emperor and the Islamic prophet Muhammad during interrogation and was executed for having killed Muslims. The ulema of the Mughal Empire sentenced Sambhaji to death for the atrocities his troops perpetrated against Muslims in Burhanpur, including plunder, killing, rape, and torture.

Maratha accounts instead state that he was ordered to bow before Aurangzeb and convert to Islam and it was his refusal to do so, by saying that he would accept Islam on the day the emperor presented him his daughter's hand, that led to his death. By doing so he earned the title of Dharmaveer ("protector of dharma"). Aurangzeb ordered Sambhaji and Kavi Kalash to be tortured to death; the process took over a fortnight and included plucking out their eyes and tongue, pulling out their nails and removing their skin. Sambhaji was finally killed on March 11, 1689, reportedly by tearing him apart from the front and back with wagh nakhe(metal "tiger claws") and beheading with an axe at Tulapur on the banks of the Bhima river near Pune.

Sahuji bestowed Balaji Vishwanath with the title of "Senakarte" or "Organiser of Maratha armies" in 20th August 1711.

Balaji returned in triumph from Delhi to Satara, having also secured the release after decades of Mughal captivity, the mother (Yesubai), wife (Savitribai) and half-brother (Madan Singh) of Shahu. Weary from his labors and the tiresome journey back from the imperial capital, Balaji Vishwanath's health began to fail. In October 1719 he obtained leave from Shahu to retire to the village of Saswad near Pune that had been granted by Shahu to the Peshwa. Balaji Vishwanath died on 12 April 1720. He was succeeded by his elder son, the celebrated Baji Rao I, who was appointed Peshwa by Chattrapati Shahu.

Baji Rao is credited with expanding the Maratha Empire, especially in North India, which contributed to its reaching a zenith during his son's reign twenty years after his death. In his military career spanning 20 years, Baji Rao never lost a battle. According to the British Army officer Bernard Montgomery, Baji Rao was possibly the finest cavalry general ever produced by India.

On November 12, 1736, the Peshwa started a march to the Mughal capital Delhi from Pune. On hearing about the advancing Maratha army, Mughal emperor asked Saadat Ali Khan I to march from Agra and check the Maratha advance. The Maratha chiefs Malhar Rao Holkar and Pilaji Jadhav crossed Yamuna and plundered the Mughal territories in the Ganga-Yamuna Doab. Saadat Khan led a force of 150,000 against them, and defeated them. He then retired to Mathura, thinking that the Marathas had retreated. However, Baji Rao advanced to Delhi and encamped at Talkatora. The Mughal emperor dispatched a force led by Mir Hasan Khan Koka to check his advance. The Marathas defeated this force in the Battle of Delhi on March 28, 1737. Baji Rao then retreated from Delhi, apprehensive about the approach of a larger Mughal force from Mathura.

Baji Rao (18 August 1700 - 28 April 1740) was a general of the Maratha Empire in India. He served as Peshwa (Prime Minister) to the fifth Maratha Chhatrapati (Emperor) Shahu from 1720 until his death. He is also known by the name Bajirao Ballal.

The Battle of Palkhed was fought on February 28, 1728 at the village of Palkhed, near the city of Nashik, Maharashtra, India between the Maratha Peshwa, Baji Rao I and the Nizam-ul-Mulk of Hyderabad. The Marathas defeated the Nizam.

Mastani was the second wife of Maratha Peshwa Bajirao I. She is said to have been a beautiful and brave woman, skilled in arts, literature, and warfare.

Mastani was born to Bundelkhand's Maharaja Chhatrasal of the Rajput clan. She was born in Mau Sahaniya, now a village in the Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh. There is a Mastani Mahal in Dhubela where Mastani lived.

In April 1740, while Bajirao was inspecting his lands at Khargon, he suddenly became ill from fever and died. Bajirao's mortal remains were consigned to flames on April 28, 1740, at Raver Khedi on the banks of Narmada River.

Bajirao's mother and brother; Chimaji Appa put Mastani and her son in a prison cell. She tried to escape but the guards ganged up on her and knocked her unconscious. She stayed there for a few years. During this course of time she became weak, ill and eventually died, a sad, tragic painful death. After the death of Bajirao, Mastani died soon in 1740 and Kashibai took care of their son Shamsher Bahadur and made facilities to train him in weaponry.

Mastani's grave is in Pabal and is called Mastani's samadhi or mazaar

In the 2015 drama film Bajirao Mastani directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Mastani was portrayed by Deepika Padukone.

Bajirao intended to plant the Maratha flag upon the walls of Delhi and other cities governed by the Mughals and their subjects. He intended to replace the Mughal Empire and create a Hindu-Pat-Padshahi.

Shamsher Bahadur I (1734-14 January 1761), also known as Krishna Rao, was a Maratha ruler of the dominion of Banda in northern India. He was the son of Bajirao I and Mastani.

Shamsher Bahadur was the son of Maratha Peshwa Bajirao I and his second wife Mastani. Bajirao wanted Shamsher Bahadur to be accepted as a Hindu Brahmin, but because of his mother's Muslim ancestry, the priests refused to conduct the Hindu upanayana ceremony for him. His education and military training were conducted in line with other sons of the Peshwa royal family, although Maratha nobles and chiefs didn't recognize Mastani as a legitimate wife of the Peshwa. After the death of both Bajirao and Mastani in 1740, Shamsher was taken into the household of Kashibai, Bajirao's first wife, and raised as one of her own.

Balaji Baji Rao (December 8, 1720-June 23, 1761), also known as Nana Saheb, was a Peshwa (prime minister) of the Maratha Empire in India.

During his tenure, the Chhatrapati (Maratha king) was reduced to a mere figurehead. At the same time, the Maratha empire started transforming into a confederacy, in which individual chiefs--such as the Holkars, the Scindias and the Bhonsles of Nagpur kingdom--became more powerful. During Balaji Rao's tenure, the Maratha territory reached its zenith. A large part of this expansion, however, was led by the individual chiefs, whose acts of plundering alienated the masses.

Shahu died in 1749. His adopted son Rajaram II of Satara claimed to be Tarabai's grandson and succeeded him. But the actual power was held by others: first by Tarabai and then by Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao.

Madhav Rao I (February 14, 1745-November 18, 1772) was the fourth Peshwa of the Maratha Empire. During his tenure, the Maratha empire recovered from the losses they suffered during the Third Battle of Panipat, a phenomenon known as Maratha Resurrection. He is considered one of the greatest Peshwas in Maratha history.

From June 23, 1761 he became a Peshwa.

Shaniwarwada is a historical fortification in the city of Pune in Maharashtra, India. Built in 1732, it was the seat of the Peshwas of the Maratha Empire until 1818, when the Peshwas lost control to the British East India Company after the Third Anglo-Maratha War. Following the rise of the Maratha Empire, the palace became the center of Indian politics in the 18th century.

The fort itself was largely destroyed in 1828 by an unexplained fire, but the surviving structures are now maintained as a tourist site.

During the Ganesh Festival of 1773 (the actual date was 30 August 1773, the last day of Ganesh Festival i.e. Anant Chaturdashi), several Gardi guards, led by their captain, Sumer Singh Gardi, entered the palace and started creating a commotion. They then charged towards the sleeping Peshwa's chambers, killing a clerk on the way. They intended to release Raghunathrao. Raghunathrao and his wife Anandibai, who were opposed to Narayanrao, had promised the Gardis that they would mediate in their dispute with Narayanrao. The Gardis followed Narayanrao to his uncle's chamber and a menial pulled him while Sumer Singh Gardi cut him down. His corpse was cremated secretly by the river at midnight.

According to popular legend, Raghunathrao had sent a message to Sumer Singh Gardi to fetch Narayanrao using the Marathi word dharaa (धरा) or 'hold' (actual phrase in Marathi - "Narayanrao-ana dhara"). This message was intercepted by his wife Anandibai who changed a single letter to make it read as maaraa or 'kill' . The miscommunication led the Gardis to chase Narayanrao, who, upon hearing them coming, started running towards his uncles' residence screaming, "Kaka! Mala Vachva!!" ("Uncle! Save me!"). But nobody came to help him and he was killed in the presence of his uncle. Rumour has it that Narayanrao's body was hacked into so many pieces that they had to carry the pieces in a pot, henceforth it was taken near the river and cremated at midnight. This act brought ill fame to the Peshwa administration, which was being looked after by the minister Nana Phadnavis. The Chief Justice of the administration, Ram Shastri Prabhune was asked to conduct an investigation into the incident, and Raghunathrao, Anandibai and Sumer Singh Gardi were all prosecuted in absentia. Although Raghunathrao was acquitted, Anandibai was declared an offender and Sumer Singh Gardi the culprit. Sumer Singh Gardi died mysteriously in Patna, Bihar in 1775, and Anandibai performed Hindu rituals to absolve her sins.

The First Anglo-Maratha War (1775-1782) was the first of three Anglo-Maratha wars fought between the British East India Company and Maratha Empire in India. The war began with the Treaty of Surat and ended with the Treaty of Salbai.

Aurangzeb headed south in 1681 to nullify the alliance between Sambhaji's rebel son and the Marathas.

According to the paragraph, the growth in power of feudal lords like Malwa sardars, landlords of Bundelkhand, and Rajput kingdoms of Rajasthan, they refused to pay tribute to Mahadji, so he sent his army to conquer the states.

The decline of the Maratha Empire was largely due to the expansion of British colonialism in India and the growing power of the British East India Company. The Marathas were weakened by frequent wars and conflicts, and their decline was accelerated by the British conquest of Indian territories and resources.

Sambhaji defeated the Portuguese and Chikka Deva Raya of Mysore.

At its peak in 1758, the Maratha Empire stretched for a brief time from Tamil Nadu in the south, to Peshawar (modern-day Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan) in the north.

To effectively manage the large empire, Madhav Rao gave semi-autonomy to the strongest of the knights, creating a confederacy of Maratha states.

Maratha rule officially began in 1674 with the coronation of Shivaji of the Bhonsle Dynasty as the Chhatrapati.

The Maratha Empire was also referred to as the Maratha Confederacy.

Shivaji and the Marathas are largely credited for ending Mughal control over the Indian subcontinent.

Shivaji's father, Shahaji, had earlier conquered Thanjavur which Shivaji's half-brother, Venkoji Rao (alias Ekoji) inherited. This kingdom was known as the Thanjavur Maratha kingdom.

Balaji and his descendants played a key role in the expansion of Maratha rule.

Ten years after the Third Battle of Panipat, the young Peshwa Madhav Rao I's Maratha Resurrection reinstated Maratha authority over North India.

To effectively manage the large empire, Madhav Rao I gave semi-autonomy to the strongest of the knights, creating a confederacy of Maratha states. These leaders became known as the Gaekwads of Baroda, the Holkars of Indore and Malwa, the Scindias of Gwalior and Ujjain, the Bhonsales of Nagpur, the Jadhavs of Vidarbha, the Dabhades of Gujarat, the Puars of Dhar and Dewas.

The First Anglo-Maratha War was triggered by the East India Company's intervention in a Peshwa family succession struggle in Pune in 1775.

Balaji Vishwanath helped Shahu to become the Maratha ruler after his release from Mughal captivity and was appointed as the Peshwa. He and his descendants played a key role in the expansion of Maratha rule.

At the peak of their empire in 1758, the Marathas controlled a large part of the Indian subcontinent from Tamil Nadu in the south, to Peshawar in the north, and Orissa & West Bengal up to the Hooghly River in the east. However, Assam was not under their control.

The Marathas lost the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761, which resulted in the decline of their empire. They lost their occupations beyond Delhi and their authority over North India was severely weakened.

Shivaji was succeeded by his son Sambhaji, who was later executed by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. After a brief period of instability, Shahu, the grandson of Shivaji, became the Maratha ruler with the help of Balaji Vishwanath.

Shivaji established Raigad as the capital of the Maratha Empire after he established Hindavi Swarajya or self-rule of Hindus. Raigad was a strategic location and was well-suited for defense against enemy attacks.

Kanhoji Angre was a prominent Maratha naval commander who played a crucial role in securing the Maratha coastline and keeping foreign naval powers such as the Portuguese and British at bay. He is known for his naval prowess and his successful defense of Maratha territories against foreign naval attacks.

To effectively manage the large Maratha Empire, Madhav Rao gave semi-autonomy to the strongest of the knights, creating a confederacy of Maratha states. These leaders became known as the Gaekwads of Baroda, the Holkars of Indore and Malwa, the Scindias of Gwalior and Ujjain, the Bhonsales of Nagpur, the Jadhavs of Vidarbha, the Dabhades of Gujarat, and the Puars of Dhar and Dewas.

In 1775, the British East India Company intervened in a Peshwa family succession struggle in Pune, which led to the First Anglo-Maratha War

Shivaji revolted against the Adil Shahi dynasty to establish his own kingdom.

After a brief struggle with his aunt Tarabai, Shahu became the Maratha ruler.

The Peshwas were prime ministers of the Maratha Empire who were appointed by Shahu, the Maratha ruler, as a reward for helping him become the ruler. Balaji Vishwanath was the first Peshwa.

The Maratha Army lost the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761, which marked the end of their dominance over North India

Shivaji was the founder of the Maratha Empire, which rose to dominate much of the Indian subcontinent in the 18th century. He established Hindavi Swarajya, meaning "self-rule of Hindus," and revolted against the Adil Shahi dynasty and the Mughals to carve out a kingdom with Raigad as his capital.

The Gaekwads, Holkars, Scindias, and Bhonsales were the strongest of the knights who were given semi-autonomy by Madhav Rao. They became known as the Gaekwads of Baroda, the Holkars of Indore and Malwa, the Scindias of Gwalior and Ujjain, and the Bhonsales of Nagpur.

The First Anglo-Maratha War took place in 1775.

The outcome of the Second and Third Anglo-Maratha Wars was that the East India Company seized control of most of the Indian subcontinent, leading to the end of the Maratha Empire.

Shahu became the Maratha ruler after his release from Mughal captivity.

Balaji Vishwanath and his descendants played a key role in the expansion of Maratha rule as Peshwas or prime ministers of the empire.

The Thanjavur Maratha Kingdom was ruled by Shivaji's half-brother Venkoji Rao and was established outside of Maharashtra. However, its significance in the history of the Maratha Empire lies in the fact that it helped in expanding Maratha rule in the South, specifically in Tamil Nadu.

Sambhaji succeeded Shivaji as the Chhatrapati of the Maratha kingdom.

Aurangzeb had about 500,000 troops when he headed south in 1681.

Sambhaji led the Marathas successfully against the Mughals for eight years after his father's death.

Shivaji established Hindavi Swarajya to achieve self-rule for the Hindu people.

At the time of Shivaji's death, the Maratha dominion had about 300 forts.

The Maratha dominion had about 40,000 cavalry soldiers at the time of Shivaji's death

The text states, "Under the leadership of Mahadji Shinde, the ruler of the state of Gwalior in central India, the Marathas defeated the Jats, the Rohilla Afghans and took Delhi which remained under Maratha control for the next three decades."

The text states, "His forces conquered modern day Haryana."

The text states, "After the growth in power of feudal lords like Malwa sardars, landlords of Bundelkhand and Rajput kingdoms of Rajasthan, they refused to pay tribute to Mahadji, so he sent his army to conquer the states such as Bhopal, Datiya, Chanderi, Narwar, Salbai and Gohad."

The text states, "The Battle of Gajendragad was fought between the Marathas under the command of Tukojirao Holkar (the adopted son of Malharrao Holkar) and Tipu Sultan from March 1786 to March 1787 in which Tipu Sultan was defeated by the Marathas."

The text states, "In a bid to effectively manage the large empire, Madhavrao Peshwa gave semi-autonomy to the strongest of the aristocracy."

The text states, "After the death of Peshwa Madhavrao I, various chiefs and jagirdars became de facto rulers and regents for the infant Peshwa Madhavrao II."

The paragraph states that Mahadji Shinde was instrumental in resurrecting Maratha power after the debacle of the Third Battle of Panipat.

The paragraph mentions that the Battle of Gajendragad was fought between the Marathas under the command of Tukojirao Holkar and Tipu Sultan.

According to the paragraph, Mahadji Shinde intervened and killed Ghulam Kadir, who had deposed and blinded Shah Alam II, placing a puppet on the Delhi throne. Mahadji then restored Shah Alam II to the throne and acted as his protector.