The First Anglo-Maratha War took place in 1775.

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.

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.

Sambhaji succeeded Shivaji as the Chhatrapati of the Maratha kingdom.

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

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

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.

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.

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.