Why this matters now
The Marathas are a key medieval/early-modern topic — Shivaji’s state and administration, the Peshwa era and confederacy, the Third Battle of Panipat, and the causes of decline are commonly tested.
Chhatrapati Shivaji
Shivaji (crowned 1674) carved out an independent Maratha kingdom against the Mughals (Aurangzeb) and Bijapur, using guerrilla warfare (ganimi kava) and hill forts. He built an efficient administration guided by his council of eight ministers, the Ashta Pradhan (headed by the Peshwa), and levied the taxes chauth and sardeshmukhi.
The Peshwas and confederacy
After Shivaji, power shifted to the Peshwas (hereditary prime ministers from Balaji Vishwanath and Baji Rao I), who expanded Maratha power across much of India. The empire evolved into a confederacy of great houses — the Gaekwads (Baroda), Holkars (Indore), Scindias (Gwalior) and Bhonsles (Nagpur) — under nominal Peshwa leadership.
The Third Battle of Panipat and decline
The Maratha bid for supremacy was checked by the disastrous Third Battle of Panipat (1761) against Ahmad Shah Abdali. Though they recovered briefly, the confederacy’s internal rivalries and three Anglo-Maratha Wars led to British dominance — the Marathas were the last major Indian power to fall to the British (1818).
UPSC angle
Know Shivaji (guerrilla war, Ashta Pradhan, chauth/sardeshmukhi), the Peshwas (Baji Rao I), the confederacy houses (Scindia/Holkar/Gaekwad/Bhonsle), Third Panipat (1761) and the Anglo-Maratha Wars.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded the Maratha Empire?
Chhatrapati Shivaji, who established an independent Maratha kingdom and was crowned in 1674.
What was the Ashta Pradhan?
Shivaji’s council of eight ministers, headed by the Peshwa, that administered the Maratha state.
What were chauth and sardeshmukhi?
Taxes levied by the Marathas — chauth (one-fourth of revenue) and sardeshmukhi (an additional levy) on territories.
What was the significance of the Third Battle of Panipat?
In 1761 the Marathas were defeated by Ahmad Shah Abdali, checking their bid for all-India supremacy and aiding the British rise.