Maratha Empire Emergence and End

Maratha Empire Emergence and End

Founded by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the 1674, the Maratha Empire was one of the best Empires in the world. It existed from 1674 to 1818 when peshawa Bajirao second had loss 3rd
Anglo-Maratha war with British and given control of empire to them.
It was founded in those situation when 50% of India was under control and nearly 25% was under adilashahi and kutubshahi. There were western invaders too e.g. British, Portugal, france, etc.
Shivaji  Maharaj along with his other supporters have dared and founded it.

Important Battle’s During Shivaji Maharaj’s life.

Battle of Pratapgad.-

Battle of Kolhapur.
Battle of Pavan Khind.
Battle of Chakan.
Conquest of Konkan.
Sacking of Surat.
Battle of Purandar.
Battle of Sinhagad

I will explain only few of them

Battle of Pratapgad- 

Adilshaha send his officer Aphajalkhan to defeat shivaji in 1659 . In this battle Shivaji killed Aphajalkhan.

Battle of Pavan Khind.

    Battle of Pävankhind was a rear guard battle and a last stand that took place on July 13, 1660 at a mountain pass in the vicinity of fort Vishalgad, near city of Kolhapur.

All other battles are also important .

Mughal- Maratha war(Deccan wars)

Mughal -Maratha wars also known as 27 years wars or Deccan wars  was the war fought between Marathas and  Mughals form 1681 to 1707.
The leader’s of Maratha’s
Sambhaji maharaj.
Rajaram Maharaj
Maharani Tarabai
In this wars Maratha defeated Mughals. It ultimately weakened Mughal’s. Taking the benefits of this situation Marathas captured Mughal territory.  

Peshawa Era-

Bajirao became peshawa in 1720. He expanded Maratha territory from 3% of total Indian territory to 30% of total Indian territory. He is one of the brightest generals in the world who fought 40 major battles and didn’t lose a single.
His son Nanasaheb peshawa also expanded the Maratha territory. In 1758, Maratha empire reached it’s peak form Peshawar in Pakistan to Tanjavar in Tamilnadu and from Attok in Pakistan to Cuttok in Odisha.   

3rd Battle of Panipat

The only major battle the Marathas lose after in 18th century is this battle.
It was fought between Marathas under leadership of Sadashivrao Peshawa and Ahamadshah Abhali’s  Afagan army. Maratha lost this battle due to lack of co-ordination between it’s general’s and also natural condition’s on that in north. But, Abdali also suffered badly. After this no one has even dared to invade India form Khaibarkhind.

3 wars with British and lost in 3rd battle

1st Anglo-Maratha war – Fought from 1775 to 1782 , Marathas won that war.
2nd Anglo-Maratha war – Fought from 1775 to 1782 British won that war. Marathas remained independent. But they have given control of Gujarat and Odisha to British.
3rd  Anglo-Maratha war- Peshawa was defeated by British and British raj in India was
Started.

Editor: Satish Mhetre ( Pune)