The Maratha Age
Shivaji
Shivaji belonged to the Bhonsle Clan of Marathas
Shvaji’s father Shahji Bhonsle was a military commander under NizamShahi ruler of Ahmednagar
Shivaji was born to Jijabai in the hill fortress of Shivner
Sivaji’s early career and life was influenced by Jijabai his mother
Dadaji- Kondev
Teacher – Guru Ramdas
He conquered the fort of Torna and built forts at Raigarh and Pratapgarh in 1646
He assumed full charge of his Jagir in 1647 AD
Shivaji killed Afzal Khan Ambassador of Ali Adil Shah in a meeting with his tiger paws
The Sultan then acknowledged the independent status of Shivaji
Shaista Khan a governor of Deccan was deputed by Aurangzeb to put down the rising power of Shivaji in 1660.
Shivaji lost Poona and suffered several defeats till he made a bold attack on Shaista’smilitary camp at night and plundered Surat and later Ahmednagar
Raja Jai Singh of Amber was then appointed by Aurangzeb to put sown Shivaji in 1665 and Jai Singh succeeded in besieging Shivaji in the fort of Purandhar
The Treaty of Purandhar was signed according to which Shivaji ceded some forts to the Mughals and paid a visit to the Mughal court at Agra
Shivaji also agreed to help Mughals in their attack on Bijapur
Shivaji visited Agra with his son Shambhaji in 1666. He was put on house arrest but escaped from there
He soon conquered the forts which he had surrendered to the Mughals
He defeated the Mughals forces in the Battle of Salher in 1672
He was crowned in 1674 at Raigarh and assumed the title of HaindavaDharmodharak and Chhatrapati
He became the sovereign ruler of Maharashtra
Violence against women was not tolerated in his regime. Severe punishments were given to people who didn't follow the rules. Even the women who were captured were treated with honour and integrity.
Shivaji suffered from fever and dysentery. He took his last breath on the 3rd of April, 1680 at the age of 52. His childless eldest surviving wife Putalabai committed Sati at his funeral.
Marathas after Shivaji
There was a dispute of succession between Sambhaji and Rajaram
Son of Shivaji, Sambhaji succeeded the throne 1680-89 AD
He was incapable ruler and poor diplomat
Prince Akbar the rebellious son of Aurangzeb took shelter with him.
Sambhaji was executed by Aurangzeb and his infant son
Shahu was taken captive by Aurangzeb
Sambhaji succeeded by Rajaram in 1869
Rajaram (1689-1700)
He succeeded the throne with the help of the ministers at Raigarh.
He fled from Raigarh to Jinji in 1689 due to a Mughal invasion in which Raigarh was captured along with Sambhaji’s wife and son (Shahu) by the Mughals.
Rajaram died at Satara, which had become the capital alter the fall of Jinji to Mughals in 1698.
Rajaram was killed by Aurangzeb
His wife Rarabaipur her infant son Shivaji II on the throne
Sivaji II and Tarabai (1700-1707)
Rajaram was succeeded by his minor son Sivaji II under the guardianship of his mother Tarabai.
Shahu (1707-1749)
Shahu was released by the Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah.
Tarabai’s army was defeated by Shahu at the battle of Khed (1700) and Shahu occupied Satara.
But the southern part of the Maratha kingdom with its capital at Kolhapur continued to be under the control of the descendants of Rajaram (Shivaji II and later Sambhaji II).
Shahu’s reign saw the rise of Peshwas and transformation of the Maratha kingdom into an empire based on the principle of confederacy.
Peshwas (1713-1818)
BalajiViswanath (1713-20)
He began his career as a small revenue official and was given the title of “SenaKarte” (marker of the army) by Shahu in 1708.
He became Peshwa in 1713 and made the post the most important and powerful as well as hereditary.
He played a crucial role the final victory of Shahu by winning over almost all the Maratha sardars to the side of Shahu.
Lie concluded an agreement with the Sayyid brothers (1719) by which the Mughal emperor (FarukhSiyar) recognizedShahu as the king of the swarajya.
He also helped Sayyid brothers in over throwing Farrukhsiyar
Baji Rao 1720-1740 AD
He was a bold and brilliant commander and was considered the greatest exponent in guerilla tactics after Shivaji
Maratha power reached its zenith under him
The Maratha compelled the Mughals first to give them the right to collect chauth of the vast areas and then to cede those areas to the Maratha Kingdom
He conquered Salsettle and Bassin from Portuguese in 1733
He also defeated the Nizam-ul-Mulk near Bhopal and concluded the treaty of Durai Sarai via which he got Malwa and Bundelkhand 1737 AD
BalajiBaji Rao (Nana Sahib 1740 – 1761 AD)
In an agreement with the Mughal emperor (Ahmed Shah ) the Peshwa agreed to protect the Mughal empire form internal and external enemies in retyrn for the Chauth
The Third Battle of Painpat in 1761 between Maratha and Ahmed Shah Abdali, Biswas Rao the son of Bana Sahib died.
PeshwaMadhav Rao I 1761-1762 AD
Balajibaji Rao was succeded by hi younger son Nadhav Rao I
Raghunath Rao the eldest surviving member of Peshwa family became regent to the young Peshwa and de facto ruler of the state
After the death of Madhav Rao Peshwaship had lost its all power
Later Peshwas
Narayan Rao – 1772-73 AD
SawaiMadhav Rao – 1773-95 AD
Baji Rao II – 1795-1818 AD
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