Medieval History notes · Chapter 15 of 15 · Marathas · 1627–1761
Marathas
7 sections, 20 flashcards. Open a card to check your answer, or revise them in the app with spaced revision.
At a glance
- Shivaji built an independent Maratha kingdom in the 17th century. Under the Peshwas in the 18th century the Marathas became the strongest power in India, until their defeat at the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761.
Timeline
- 1627 Shivaji born at Shivneri (many sources give 1630)
- 1659 Afzal Khan of Bijapur killed at Pratapgarh
- 1665 Treaty of Purandar with Raja Jai Singh
- 1666 Shivaji escapes from Mughal custody at Agra
- 1672 Chauth imposed on Surat
- 1674 Coronation as Chhatrapati at Raigad
- 1680 Shivaji dies
- 1689 Sambhaji captured and executed by Aurangzeb
- 1708 Shahu, backed by Balaji Vishwanath, wins the throne from Tarabai’s faction
- 1720–40 Peshwa Baji Rao I
- 1740–61 Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao (Nana Saheb)
- 1761 Third Battle of Panipat
Check yourself
With whom did Shivaji sign the Treaty of Purandar (1665)?
Raja Jai Singh, Aurangzeb’s general.
Who executed Sambhaji, and when?
Aurangzeb, in 1689.
Who helped Shahu win the Maratha throne?
Balaji Vishwanath.
When did Baji Rao I serve as Peshwa?
1720–40.
Which Peshwa was known as Nana Saheb?
Balaji Baji Rao (1740–61).
Shivaji (1627–80)
- Son of Shahji Bhonsle and Jijabai.
- Regarded Ramdas as his guru.
- 1659 — Battle of Pratapgarh: defeated and killed Afzal Khan, general of the Bijapur Sultan.
- Raided Surat (1664, 1670); 1672: imposed chauth — one-fourth of the revenue — as annual tribute on Surat.
- 1665 Treaty of Purandar with Jai Singh; 1666 imprisoned at Agra and escaped.
- 1674: crowned “Chhatrapati” at Raigad.
- Died in 1680.
Check yourself
Whom did Shivaji regard as his guru?
Ramdas.
What happened at the Battle of Pratapgarh (1659)?
Shivaji killed Afzal Khan, general of the Bijapur Sultan.
When and where was Shivaji crowned?
1674, at Raigad, as Chhatrapati.
After Shivaji
- 1689: Sambhaji (Shivaji’s son) was killed by Aurangzeb.
- Rajaram and then his widow Tarabai led the resistance against the Mughals.
- 1708: Shahu (Sambhaji’s son, released by the Mughals in 1707) ascended the throne after defeating the rebellion of Tarabai — assisted by Balaji Vishwanath, whom he made Peshwa.
Check yourself
Who led the rival faction against Shahu?
Tarabai.
The Peshwas
- Balaji Vishwanath (1713–20) — made the Peshwa the real power; in 1719 he won from the Mughals the right to collect chauth and sardeshmukhi in the Deccan.
- Baji Rao I (1720–40) — carried Maratha power into north India (Malwa, Gujarat, Bundelkhand).
- Balaji Baji Rao (1740–61), also known as Nana Saheb — Maratha power reached its height.
- 1761 — Third Battle of Panipat: Ahmad Shah Abdali of Afghanistan defeated the Marathas, led by Sadashiv Rao Bhau.
Check yourself
Who was the first of the great Peshwas under Shahu?
Balaji Vishwanath (1713–20).
Third Battle of Panipat: year and result?
1761; Ahmad Shah Abdali of Afghanistan defeated the Marathas.
Administration: the Ashta Pradhan
- Shivaji’s council of eight ministers:
| Minister | Role |
|---|---|
| Peshwa | Prime minister |
| Amatya | Finance minister |
| Waqia-Navis (Mantri) | Records and the royal household |
| Sumant | Foreign secretary |
| Sachiv | Royal correspondence (the mindmap: home secretary) |
| Panditrao | Religious head |
| Nyayadhish | Chief justice |
| Senapati (Sar-i-Naubat) | Commander-in-chief |
Check yourself
What was the Ashta Pradhan?
Shivaji’s council of eight ministers.
What was the Sumant’s portfolio?
Foreign affairs.
Who was the Panditrao?
The religious head.
Who was the Nyayadhish?
The chief justice.
What was the Amatya’s portfolio?
Finance.
Who was the Senapati (Sar-i-Naubat)?
The commander-in-chief.
Chauth and sardeshmukhi
- Taxes collected from territories adjoining the empire — lands not under direct Maratha rule.
- Chauth — one-fourth (25%) of the land revenue, paid to escape Maratha raids.
- Sardeshmukhi — an additional 10%, claimed by Shivaji as the hereditary sardeshmukh (chief deshmukh).
Check yourself
When did Shivaji escape from Agra?
1666.
What share was chauth?
One-fourth (25%) of the land revenue.
What share was sardeshmukhi?
An additional 10%.
Source check
- Where the mindmap differs from standard textbooks. Use the standard version in the exam.
Mindmap says: Walkia Nawis, Summant, Sari Naubat
Standard texts: Usual spellings: Waqia-Navis, Sumant, Sar-i-Naubat.
Standard texts: Usual spellings: Waqia-Navis, Sumant, Sar-i-Naubat.
All 15 chapters of Medieval History notes
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- Mahmud of Ghazni7 sections
- Muhammad Ghori9 sections
- Mamluk (Slave) dynasty10 sections
- Khalji dynasty13 sections
- Tughlaq dynasty7 sections
- Sayyid dynasty4 sections
- Lodi dynasty5 sections
- Bahmani kingdom10 sections
- Vijayanagara empire11 sections
- Karnata dynasty5 sections
- Oinwar dynasty5 sections
- Mughal empire15 sections
- Sur dynasty7 sections
- Marathas7 sections