Questions and Answers
Who was the key figure in the rise of Maratha power?
What was the central element of the Maratha administrative system?
What type of military strategy was notably utilized by the Marathas?
Which Maratha leader significantly expanded the influence of the empire into northern territories?
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What was the relationship between the Marathas and the Mughal Empire?
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What was the role of the Peshwas in the Maratha Confederacy?
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What area is regarded as the homeland of the Maratha power?
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Which feature characterized the Maratha military forces?
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What was the main consequence of the Third Battle of Panipat for the Marathas?
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Which factors contributed to the decline of Maratha power in the late 18th century?
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What was one of the significant outcomes of the Anglo-Maratha Wars?
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What did the Treaty of Bassein signify for the Maratha Confederacy?
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How did the Marathas influence the socio-political landscape of 18th-century India?
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What role did the Marathas play in the decline of the Mughal Empire?
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Study Notes
Origins and Rise
- Emerged in the late 17th century, centered in the Deccan plateau.
- Shivaji Bhonsle (1630-1680) founded the Maratha Empire.
- Key strategies included military tactics, administrative reforms, and local self-governance.
- Captured key forts and established a revenue collection system.
Expansion under Successors
- Shivaji's successors: Sambhaji and grandson Shahu, continued expansion after his death.
- The Peshwas transitioned from prime ministers to de facto rulers of the Maratha Confederacy.
- Notable Peshwas like Balaji Vishwanath and Bajirao I extended influence into central India and approached Delhi.
Administration and Military Prowess
- Empire categorized into swaraj (controlled territories) and a larger confederacy.
- Decentralized administration with local chieftains (sardars) holding substantial power.
- Military tactics emphasized guerrilla warfare, rapid cavalry movements, and agile armies.
Conflicts and Diplomacy
- Continuous conflicts with the Mughal Empire, Nizam of Hyderabad, and British East India Company.
- The Third Battle of Panipat (1761) marked a significant defeat against Ahmad Shah Abdali, temporarily stalling Maratha expansion.
Decline
- Decline began in the late 18th century due to internal conflicts, regional power growth, and British influence.
- Series of Anglo-Maratha Wars (1775-1818) led to Maratha defeats and British supremacy.
- The Treaty of Bassein (1802) contributed to the weakening of the Maratha Confederacy.
Legacy
- Marathas played a crucial role in the decline of the Mughal Empire.
- Their administrative and military systems influenced future Indian rulers.
- Established foundations for regional resistance against British colonialism.
- Legacy marked by contributions to governance, military strategy, and socio-political transformation in 18th-century India.
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Description
Explore the emergence and rise of the Maratha power in India during the late 17th century. This quiz covers their resistance against the Mughal Empire and the significance of their establishment as a dominant force in the Deccan and western regions of the subcontinent.
