16. Swarajya to Empire (Maratha period)

as Sant Nirmalaba (निर㔮ळाबाई), Sant Muktabai, 16.1 Contribution of Sants Sant Janabai, Sant Kanhopatra and Sant 16.2 Foundation and Expansion of Bahinabai Siurkar also belong to this period. Swarajya The sants, created a sense of belonging 16.3 Maratha war of independence among people toward their native region, 16.4 Administrative system established language, literature, and culture. They gave by Chhatrapati Maharaj message of equality to people. Their teachings 16.5 Release of Shahu Maharaj were based on the principles of humanity. 16.6 Peshwa period They preached harmonious community life, 16.7 Art, architecture, literature unity and love. Their efforts created social 16.8 Trade, industries and social life awakening. Their teaching helped people to survive situations like foreign invasions, draughts or other natural calamities. Their Alauddin Khalji defeated the Yadavas of devotional songs became a source of a great Devgiri and the rule of Delhi Sultans began moral support for people. Their work created in south India. After Khalji, the Tughluq and a sense of self-esteem among the people of Bahamani kingdoms ruled over Maharashtra. Maharashtra. Later Bahamani kingdom was disintegrated 16.2 Foundation and Expansion of into five parts. Among them, Nizamshahi and Swarajya Adilshahi ruled parts of Maharashtra. The th Mughals turn their attention to south India. In the first half of the 17 century, As a result, Nizamshahi came to an end. Nizamshahi and Adilshahi had established This was the general political scenario during their rule in Maharashtra. Many eminent 17th century, when Chhatrapati Shivaji Maratha sardars flourished under their rule. Maharaj established Swarajya marking the They held Jahagirs in the remote regions of rise of Maratha power. the Sahyadris. The difficult terrain of Sahyadri allowed them to operate independently. 16.1 Contribution of Sants Shahajiraje Bhosale was a prominent sardar Superstition and rituals ruled at large in in the Nizamshahi kingdom. After the end of the medieval Indian society. People had Nizamshahi rule, become fatalistic and inert. They had become he accepted the inert. The condition of the common people rank of a was miserable. These were the times when Mansabdar* in the sants in Maharashtra made efforts to the Adilshahi bring the masses back to life. court. Shahajiraje In Maharashtra, the tradition of sants, was valiant, which began with Chakradhar Swami, Sant courageous, wise Namdev, Sant Dnyaneshwar, Sant Eknath, and well-versed Sant Tukaram and Samarth Ramdas. It was in the science of continued by sants coming from various statehood. He strata of the society. For example Sant had successfully Chokhamela, Sant Goroba, Sant Sawata, handled many Shahajiraje Sant Narhari, Sant Sena, Sant Shaikh Adilshahi Muhammad etc. Similarly women sants such expeditions in Maharashtra, Karnataka and

117 Tamil Nadu. The provinces of Pune, Supe, Shirwal, Indapur and Chakan were given to Shahajiraje as Jahagir. He personally aspired to establish Swarajya. He is regarded as the visionary of Swarajya.

*A military officer who maintains his own division of soldiers. He sent his son Shivajiraje and his wife, Veermata Jijabai from Bengaluru to Pune along with his loyal and capable associates. Veermata Jijabai encouraged Shivaji Maharaj to fulfil the dream of Shahajiraje of establishing Swarajya. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj She was a visionary and an efficient Maharashtra, valour of the local Mawalas, Veermata Jijabai administrator. She the administrative and military experience constantly guided her son in the mission of gained by the Maratha sardars while working establishing Swarajya and provided him with with Nizamshahi and Adilshahi and above excellent education necessary for the king of all these the able leadership of Shivaji Swarajya. Maharaj could make it possible. The concept of Swarajya was visualised After joining the Adilshahi court, Shahaji by Shahajiraje and it was turned into reality Maharaj entrusted the administration of his by Shivaji Maharaj. Shivaji Maharaj laid the Jahagirs at Pune, Shirwal and Supe region foundation of Swarajya from the Mawal (pargana) to Shivaji Maharaj. Yet the forts region. Several factors like topography of located in those Jahagirs and nearby areas were in the custody of Adilshahi court. The one ‘who owns the forts owns the land’ was For Additional Information : The the ruling of the day. Hence Shivaji Maharaj Mawal region is a mountaineous terrain and began with capturing the forts in the vicinity is not easily accessible. The vallyes at the of his jahagirs. He took over the fort of foot of Sahyadri ranges in Maharashtra are Torana and laid the foundation of Swarajya. known as ‘Mawal’ and the local people of Shivaji Maharaj established the first capital Mawal are known as ‘Mawalas’. The of Swarajya at the fort of Rajgad. Chandrarao Mawalas in the army of Shivajiraje played a More proved to be a hindrance in Shivaji great role in establishing Swarajya. Shivaji Maharaj’s efforts to create Swarajya. Shivaji Maharaj had created a feeling of trust and Maharaj successfully took over Javali. After affection in their minds. Shivaji Maharaj set this victory the activities of Shivaji Maharaj himself on the task of establishing Swarajya in Konkan were escalated. Realising the with the support of these Mawalas. Many of danger of the increasing activities of Shivaji his close associates like Kanhoji Jedhe, Maharaj, the Bijapur court sent their powerful Tanaji Malusare, Netoji Palkar, Baji General Afzalkhan to curb the increasing Pasalkar, Baji Prabhu Deshpande, Murarbaji power of Shivaji Maharaj. Deshpande etc. were from the Mawal region. Shivaji Maharaj had anticipated the

118 For Additional Information : In the year could later build war ships on their own. Till 1657 C.E., after conquering Kalyan and 1675 C.E., Shivaji Maharaj had four hundred Bhiwandi, the boundaries of Swarajya extended small and big ships in his fleet. During the upto the coastline. The British and the French second sack of Surat, Shivaji Maharaj brought were involved in Salt trade. Shivaji Maharaj those ships to the coast of Surat and loaded wanted to establish control over the sea waters. the huge booty on them acquired from Surat. However, he did not have any knowhow of It is apparent that Shivaji Maharaj wanted to building war ships. The Portuguese were afraid establish complete control over the land as of the Siddis. Shivaji Maharaj assured the well as on the sea. Shivaji Maharaj was the Portuguese to fight the Siddis. In turn, Shivaji first to have the foresight to create his own Maharaj sent some selected fishermen with the navy. Hence, he is known as the ‘Father of Portuguese ship builders named Rui Leitao the Indian Navy’ Maynak Bhandari, Viegas and his son Fernao Viegas and got Daulatkhan, Kanhoji Angre were experts of twenty war ships built with their help. These Marine war strategies. fishermen were the people, who once trained, intentions of Afzalkhan, who had taken up the Shaistakhan had no alternative but to hastily challenge of killing Shivaji Maharaj. He met leave Lal Mahal. Shivaji Maharaj gained Afzalkhan at Pratapgad. As expected more confidence and he attacked Surat, the Afzalkhan attempted treachery but Shivaji prosperous economic capital of Maharaj was well prepared and killed and collected a large booty. Enraged by this, Afzalkhan in self defence. Afzalkhan’s huge Aurangzeb sent his powerful sardars Mirza army was set on the run and huge booty and Raje Jaising and Diler Khan to attack weapons were collected left behind by them. Swarajya. They captured many forts in the This made Swarajya’s treasury richer. Swarajya. Shivaji Maharaj had the wisdom After Afzalkhan’s defeat, the Bijapur to comprehend the situation and decided to court sent Siddi Jauhar to attack Swarajya. retreat tactically by signing the ‘Treaty of He seized the fort of Panhala and closed all Purandar’. According to the treaty, Shivaji posibilities of escape for Shivaji Maharaj. In Maharaj had to present himself before this difficult situation Shiva Kashid, a loyal Aurangzeb at Agra, along with his son servant of Swarajya, disguised himself as Maharaj. Aurangzeb acted Shivaji Maharaj and made it easy for Shivaji treacherously and put Shivaji under house Maharaj to escape. When Siddi came to arrest. Shivaji Maharaj very cleverly misled know the truth he killed Shiva Kashid. Thus the guards and escaped from Agra. Shiva Kashid sacrificed his life for the cause Soon after returning to Swarajya Shivaji of Swarajya. Bajiprabhu took up the task of Maharaj conqured the forts which were held blocking Siddhi Masud’s path in Ghodkhind by Aurangzeb. and stop him in his chase of Shivaji Maharaj. To announce the sovereign and Bajiprabhu was succussful in doing this. He independent status of Swarajya it was fell dead only after receiving the news of necessary to make it official. Realising this Shivaji Maharaj reaching Vishalgad safely. Shivaji Maharaj decided to get himself At the time of ascending the throne, coronated. With his coronation as a sovereign Aurangzeb was aware of the ambitious plans king the provinces under his rule assumed the of Shivaji Maharaj. He sent his maternal status of an independent kingdom. After uncle Shaistakhan on an expedition against coronation he began the Karnataka expedition. Shivaji Maharaj. Shaistakhan camped in Lal However, he did not live long after the Mahal in Pune. Shivaji Maharaj who knew victory in the south. He passed away on 3rd Shaistakhan’s intentions manage to enter the April 1680. His untimely death caused an Lal Mahal and cut off Shaistakhan’s fingers. irreparable loss to Swarajya.

119 16.3 Maratha war of independence thirty years. After the death of Chhatrapati Shivaji While leaving for Jinji, Rajaram Maharaj Maharaj, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was entrusted Ramchandrapant Amatya, coronated as the king of Swarajya. During Shankaraji Narayan Sachiv, Santaji Ghorpade his reign, a constant conflict continued with and Dhanaji the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Aurangzeb’s Jadhav with the rebellious son Akbar had established friendly responsibility of relations with Sambhaji Maharaj. Enraged by defending Raigad. this Aurangzeb The guerrilla came down to tactics of Santaji Deccan along and Dhanaji with a huge proved the large army and able scale artillery and sardars, who huge cannons of were veterans of the Mughals to be warfare. For the of little use. Chhatrapati Rajaram next 25 years he Despite of holding Maharaj camped in very few assets Maharashtra and the Marathas continued to create havoc for fought against the Mughals. Rajaram Maharaj safeguarded Chhatrapati Sambhaji the Marathas. Swarajya in these trying times. This was a Maharaj But he could not great task in itself and a great success of succeed in destroying the Swarajya. Aurangzeb Rajaram Maharaj. killed Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj in a After the death of Rajaram Maharaj very cruel manner (11th March 1689). (March, 1700 C.E.), his wife Maharani Aurangzeb hoped that the Maratha power Tarabai continued to fight against Aurangzeb. will be weakened with Sambhaji Maharaj’s Maharani Tarabai led the Swarajya movement death but it did not happen. Instead the under extremely unfavourable conditions. She Marathas unitedly fought against the Mughals single-handedly took charge of the and expanded their rule. administration and After Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, fought for Swarajya Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj took over the for twenty five years reins at Raigad. Aurangzeb sent Zulfikar with the help of her Khan to seize the fort of Raigad. Chhatrapati sardars. At times, Rajaram Maharaj, Maharani Tarabai, the Marathas had to Maharani Yesubai (Queen of Chhatrapati fight the Mughals on Sambhaji Maharaj) and her son Prince Shahu lands beyond the were staying on Rajgad. All the Maratha boundaries of royalties, thus staying at one place was Swarajya, but she dangerous. It would have been strategic to did not stop them. fight the Mughals from two places at a time. This was an Maharani Tarabai Hence, Maharani Yesubai asked Chhatrapati indication that the Rajaram Maharaj to leave for Jinji. Maharani scenario of the war was changing. The Yesubai herself stayed back at Raigad and Maratha War of Independence was a tussle continue to fight. In 1689 C.E., the Mughals between the Mughal ambition of expanding succeeded in taking charge of Raigad. their Empire and the desire of independence Maharani Yesubai and Prince Shahu were cherished by the Marathas. Finally the death arrested and sent to Delhi. Maharani Yesubai of Aurangzeb put an end to this fighting. In remained in captivity of the Mughals for next the beginning, the Mughal rulers adopted an

120 aggresive policy while the Maratha the administration. There was a special policy remained that of defence. But by the officer called ‘Darakdar’ appointed to look second half of the 18th century, this condition after every department of the ministry. Other changed. With the weakening of Mughal officers were ‘Diwan’ (secretary), ‘Majumdar’ power, the Marathas could extend their rule (auditor and accountant), ‘Phadnis’ (Deputy almost all over India. Auditor), ‘Sabnis’ (office in-charge), 16.4 Administrative system established ‘Karkhanis’ (Commissary), ‘Chitnis’ by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (Correspondence clerk), ‘Jamdar’ (Treasurer), ‘Potdar’ (assay master) etc. The regions in Maharashtra including The Kingdom was divided into two parts Nashik, Pune, Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur, for the sake of administration. One of it was Sindhudurga, Ratnagiri, Raigad; Belgaum, the province which was geographically bound Karwar, Dharwad in Karnataka; some regions together and the other comprised scattered of Andhra, Jinji and Vellore in Tamil Nadu regions in the south. The first province was comprised Swarajya. Shivaji Maharaj set up divided into three sections. The northern an ideal administrative system for the smooth section was assigned to the Peshwa which running of Swarajya’s affairs. included the regions from Salher to Pune and The formation of the Ashtapradhan North Konkan. The central part consisted of Mandal (council of eight ministers) and its south Konkan, Sawantwadi and Karwar. This growth took place alongwith the expansion was assigned to the Sachiv. In the third part of the kingdom. After coronation, Chhatrapati the regions of high plateau i.e. Satara-Wai to Shivaji Maharaj created special posts of Belgaum and Koppal was assigned to the Ashtapradhans. It included ‘Peshwa’, ‘Mantri’. A separate ‘Subha’ of Karnataka ‘Amatya’, ‘Sachiv’, ‘Mantri’, ‘Senapati, was created and Hambirrao Mohite and Raghunath Narayan Amatya were appointed ‘Sumant’, ‘Nyayadhish’ and ‘Panditrao’. on it. ‘Sarsubhedars’ were appointed on all Shivaji Maharaj had a strong intelligence these regions in association with the ‘Pradhans’ network of his own. Bahirji Naik was the (Ministers). This was known as ‘Rajmandal’. Chief of this network. Before starting on any The appointment of ‘Killedar’ (keeper of the expedition, Shivaji Maharaj obtained detailed fort) and ‘Karkun’ (clerks) was made by the information from his spies and then planned King himself. The Pradhans had to submit his expedition. annual accounts to Shivaji Maharaj. When the ministers went on expedition, Sarsubhedars taking care of provincial their representatives (Mutalik) looked after administration were known as ‘Deshadhikari’.

For additional information : village and determined various criteria of Determining the grade (prat) of the land calculating revenue such as ‘Dhara’, formed the basics of the Revenue System. ‘Chavarana’, ‘Pratbandi’ etc., based on the The land revenue system introduced by annual yield. Chavarana means deciding the Malik Amber of Nizamshahi was in practice. boundaries of land by measurng it. But Shivaji Maharaj introduced a new Assessment of land in the hilly regions was system. He fixed the measuring unit of not done areawise but yieldwise. While ‘Kathi’ (measuring stick) for the measurement collecting the revenue, the quality of the of the land. The length of this kathi was 5 yield was also taken into consideration cubits (length of a forearm) and 5 closed along with the grade of the land. Revenue fists. Based on this following units were was fixed only after the calculation of the decided: the area of 20 kathis was 1 ‘Bigha’ average yield of previous 3 years. Land and 120 Bighas made one ‘Chavar’. Annaji such as Barren land, jungle, grazing land Datto (Sachiv) travelled from village to etc. were not counted for land revenue.

121 There was a difference between the Nanasaheb was administration under the Islamic rulers and appointed as the the administrative system set by Chhatrapati Peshwa. Meanwhile, Shivaji Maharaj. Sarsubhas in the Swarajya the Marathas were were meant to be the zonal divisions for defeated in the third overall administration, while under Islamic battle of Panipat. rulers a division merely served the purpose The Maratha rule of revenue collection. became weak. The Subhedars were assisted by Madhavrao Peshwa ‘Deshmukhs’ and ‘Deshpandes’. The main tried to re-establish task of a Deshmukh was to collect the land the Maratha power. revenue, to develop waste land into cultivable The defeat in land and settle new villages. All government Bajirao Peshwa I Panipat was not officials received salary in the form of cash just a political instead of land grant (watan). defeat but it also lowered the morale of the ‘Village’ was the basic unit of the Marathas greatly. administrative system. New villages were Madhavrao Peshwa tried to elevate the settled. The people were provided with cattle, spirits of Marathas as well as re-establish the seed money, money for daily utilities. The Maratha power in farmer was given a period of two years, to the north. The repay the advance after a good harvest. This Marathas were system was known as ‘Batai system’. successful in 16.5 Release of Shahu Maharaj overcoming the great defeat at The Mughals continued their efforts to Panipat and create defeat the Marathas, even after the death of a politically strong Aurangzeb. For position for that purpose they themselves in the adopted the politics of the Madhavrao Peshwa strategy of dividing north. This factor the Marathas. was very important. Malharrao Holkar, They released Ahilyabai Holkar, Raghuji Bhosale, Mahadji Shahu Maharaj Shinde, Nana Phadanvis played a great role from captivity in in the re-establishment of Maratha influence. 1707 C.E. After his release there Malharrao was was a conflict the founder of the Chhatrapati Shahu Holkar State at between Maharani Maharaj Tarabai and Shahu Indore. He served Maharaj. Shahu Maharaj won the ensuing the Maratha power battle. Balaji Vishwanath played an important for a long time. He role on behalf of Shahu Maharaj and later had a great share in he was appointed as Peshwa. establishing the Maratha prestige in 16.6 Peshwa period the north. After the After Balaji Vishwanath, his son, Bajirao death of Khanderao, I was appointed as the Peshwa. He expanded Malharrao Holkar son of Malharrao. the Maratha empire upto Malwa, Rajasthan Ahilyabai Holkar and Bundelkhand. He defeated the Nizam. assumed the reins of Indore administration. After Bajirao I, Balaji Bajirao alias Maheshwar was the seat of administration

122 For additional information : The India. He invited Ahmedshah Abdali, the Pathans from Afghanistan had settled at the ruler of Afghanistan, to India. At the behest foothills of the Himalayas near Ayodhya of Najib Khan, Abdali invaded India. He province. These Pathans were known as returned to Afghanistan with a huge booty. ‘Rohillas’. This province later came to be However, the Marathas pursued Abdali’s known as ‘Rohilkhand’. Najib Khan was the soldiers upto Attock and raised there the leader of the Rohillas. He was not happy Maratha standard successfully. Attock is with the supremacy of the Marathas in North presently in Pakistan. under her. She built the regions in Eastern India upto Bengal temples, ghats, under the Maratha dominance. After the dharamshalas, and miserable defeat of drinking water facilities the Marathas at at various pilgrim Panipat, Mahadji centres. She was a Shinde was capable, astute, and instrumental in re- excellent administrator. establishing the Raghuji Bhosale Maratha supremacy was the most capable and prestige in North ruler among the Bhosales India. He trained his of Nagpur. He brought Ahilyabai Holkar Raghuji Bhosale

123 Army and Peshwa, Pilaji Jadhavrao are available. modernised his Murals are found on the facade of the artillery under the Wadas, as well as on the walls of reception guidance of French areas (Diwankhana) and bedrooms. In the military expert, temples, the mandapa wall, owri (varanda), Benoit de Boigne. shikhara, gabhara (sanctum sanctorum) and Mahadji managed chhat (ceiling) were also decorated with the difficult affairs paintings. The 18th century murals have with strong survived till today at places like the Naik- determination and Nimbalkar wada at Vathar, Nana Phadanavis remained incharge wada at Menavali, Rangamahal at Chandwad, of Delhi affairs Mayureshwar mandir at Morgaon, Shiva Mahadji Shinde during 1771 C.E. temple of Pandeshwar, and Matha at to 1794 C.E. Nana Phadanvis and Mahadji Benawadi. Mythological stories form the Shinde set the affairs of the state right after main theme of these murals. They include the death of Peshwa Madhavrao. scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharata The two Peshwas who succeeded Peshwa and Puranas. The paintings of Dashavatara Madhavrao, namely Narayanrao and Sawai and Krishnaleela are found almost everywhere. Madhavrao, did not live long. Their untimely The subjects of contemporary social life were death set the decline of Maratha power. At also popular in the paintings. Royal court, this time, the Mughal power had also become royal meetings, processions were also included weak. Taking advantage of this situation, the in them. British started interfering in the internal strife During the Maratha period, keertan and among the Maratha sardars. Peshwa Bajirao II was defeated by the British and the British established their supremacy over India. The British brought entire India under their dominance. 16.7 Art, architecture, literature Art : The development of Maratha miniature Paintings is seen through illustrations on the manuscripts such as pothis, pattachitra and patrikas. The same style is maintained in the glass paintings as well. Illustrated manuscripts of Sanskrit texts such as ‘Bhagvat Gita’, ‘Devi Saptashati’, ‘Bhagvat Purana’ as well as Marathi texts such as ‘Dnyaneshwari’ (Bhavarthadipika), ‘Shivaleelamrut’, ‘Pandavapratap’ etc. are available. The paintings of Dashavatara are included in them. The wooden stands of the pothis have Miniature painting - Maratha period paintings of various deities such as Ganapati, singing of Bhajans were popular. Powadas Riddhi-siddhi, Ramapanchayatana, (Ballads) were composed during this period Gopalkrishna, Vishnulakshmi in dark red, to encourage the spirit of heroism among the green and yellow colours. The miniature people. The ballads known as ‘powadas’ and paintings, include human portraits and themes ‘katavas’, composed by the Shahirs were the like ragamalas, talamala, processions etc. types of historical poetry. The powadas Remarkable portraits of Bajirao I, Nanasaheb

124 composed by Adnyandas on the slaying of Afzalkhan and Tulsidas on the battle of For additional information : Sinhagad are well-known. Dressed stones, raw and baked bricks The literary tradition of ‘Lavani’ were used in the construction of wadas. developed in the later Peshwa period. Shahirs The ground floor walls of the wada were built in stone while the upper storeys like Anantafandi, Prabhakar, Ramjoshi, were of bricks. There were generally Saganbhau and Honaji Bala are known for three to five storeys supported on wooden their beautiful compositions. pillars and beams. The rooms were built Various dance forms from the Maratha around the rectangular courtyard (chowk). period have existed till today such as Usually there use to be two courtyards including lavani, koli dance, Gaja Nrutya in the wada. However, sometimes there etc. The tradition of vocal music also received could be three to seven courtyards as patronage in Maratha States. well. Wadas such as Vishrambaug wada Architecture : Shivaji Maharaj gave in Pune and Nana Phadanavis wada in priority to build forts. The tradition of Menavali and Raghobadada’s wada are building forts was prevalent in the Deccan among the fine examples of wada since three centuries. This tradition proved to architecture. The wooden pillars and be of advantage to Shivaji Maharaj. The beams in the wada were square in shape. required expertise of maintaining forts was Motifs such as parrot, peacock, and easily available to him. The Kasaba temple monkeys were popular. in Pune and Vitthal temple in Vitthalwadi were reconstructed by Veermata Jijabai. Jejuri etc. These are huge in size. The plan During the Peshwa period, the Maratha of these temples is in star shaped design, the kingdom regained its prosperity and all forms foundation of the temple was multi layered, of art and architecture once again received and were named accordingly. The construction patronage. Pune, Satara and Nashik developed of shikhara is made in bricks and stucco into big cities. These cities had well paved method. The ‘Kalaram’, ‘Goraram’ and roads, wadas on both sides of the road and ‘Sundarnarayan’ temples at Nashik and arched gates at intervals. ‘Mahadev’ temple at Trimbakeshwar, The construction of temples began on a ‘Mohiniraj’ temple at Nevasa were similar to large scale during the later Peshwa period. the temples in Malwa and Rajasthan. The These temples were of three types. Examples temples were constructed in stone. These of the temple architecture of this period are temples were embellished extensively with found at Saswad (‘Vateshwar’, sculptures as compared to other contemporary ‘Sangameshwar’), Mahuli (‘Vishweshwar’), temples. In the third type of temples, the

Sindhudurga

125 wrote the history of India in 12 volumes named ‘Gulshane-i-Ibrahimi’. In the 18th century well-known literary works were composed such as, ‘Yatharthdeepika’ by Vaman Pandit, ‘Naladamayanti Swayamvara’ by Raghunath Pandit, Pandavapratapa, Harivijay, Ramavijay by Shridhar Pandit and the translation of Mahabharata by Moropant. Bakhar literature is important among the historical literature in Marathi. It contains eulogies of the heroes and stories of historic events, battles, lives of great men. Sabhasad Bakhar, Bhausahebanchi Bakhar, Panipatchi Jejuri Bakhar are some of its exmaples. Krushna temples at Pune, Satara, Wai, etc. were built Dayarnav and Shridhar were the main poets in independent style. It included arches, during the Peshwa period. Poet Mahipati wooden hall (sabhamandapa) and sanctum composed ‘Bhaktivijay’ in this period. sanctorum (gabhara). The Shikhara slopes 16.7 Trade, industries and social life inwards at the top. In the small niches of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was aware the Shikhara, beautiful sculptures are made of the importance of a flourishing trade for of stucco. It includes images of dashavataras the economic well being of the state. He and other deities as well as male and female encouraged the traders and merchants by figures. The stone deepmala is a remarkable creating Peths (market places). ‘Shete’ and feature of these temples. The stone deepmalas ‘Mahajan’ were the officers who supervised at Jejuri were built by Shahajiraje. Since the transaction of these Peths. Chaul, Rajapur, most of the villages and temples were located Dabhol, Kelshi, Ratnagiri were some of the on river banks, stone steps (ghats) were also important ports and trade centres of this built on the river. Such extensive ghats are period. Commodities like black pepper and seen at Nashik, Puntambe, Wai, Menavali, lac* etc. were exported from Dabhol. Silk, Mahuli etc. The Chhatris (Samadhis) built at various places are noteworthy. For additional information : Literature : Marathi literature developed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was keen greatly during this period. Sant Tukaram of on protecting the local industries. Here this period was a poet of the warkari sect. we can cite the example of salt industry. Samarth Ramdas wrote ‘Dasbodh’ and He protected the salt industry in Konkan. ‘Manache Shlok’ in Marathi. Chhatrapati At that time, traders imported salt from Shivaji Maharaj got the the Portuguese territory and sold in ‘Rajyavyavaharakosha’ prepared which was Swarajya. That affected the local trade a compilation of Sanskrit lexicon for Persian in Konkan areas. So Maharaj charged terms. Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was a heavy duty on the salt imported into great writer and Sanskrit scholar. The Sanskrit Swarajya from the Portuguese territory. text ‘Budhabhushan’ was written by him. The intention was that the salt imported This text is an overview of ancient texts on from the Portuguese territory would then polity. Apart from Sanskrit, he also knew cost more and as a result its import many other languages. He wrote texts in Brij would be discouraged and the sale of the language namely ‘Nayikabhed’, ‘Nakhshikh’ local salt would increase. and ‘Satasattak’. Muhammad Qasim Ferishta

126 opium, and indigo were exported from Nashik, Paithan, etc. Traditional festivals Chaul. Black pepper, cardamom, cotton cloth (utsavas), pious observances (Vrata vaikalye) were the items of trade in Rajapur. Foreign were celebrated with great enthusiasm in the traders procured required goods from Rajapur society. Celebrating the festivals was and transported them on ships to the Red Sea encouraged by the State, as such celebrations and Iran. help to create joyous and hormonius society. A self-sufficient village was the basic unit of the Swarajya. The economic system For Additional Information : of the village was never affected greatly by Urbanisation during Maratha period - external political changes. Every village had Many market cities of the Maratha 12 ‘balutedars’ (service providers in the period emerged because of political village). Their occupations were hereditary in expansion and development of various nature. Every occupation in this system had industries, trade, professions etc. The a specific status in the social hierarchy. The process of urbanisation gained balutedars, for example goldsmiths (sonar), momentum during the Peshwa period. blacksmiths (lohar), braziers (tambat) etc. There was extensive development of practiced their hereditary occupations. Weekly Pune, the capital of Peshwas. There markets were set up in big villages. Such was increase in the number of market villages were known as ‘Kasba’. People cities (Bazar peths). Pune, Indapur, visited weekly markets to buy daily provisions Saswad, Junnar, Kalyan, Bhiwandi, and other goods. Some industries of this Vengurla, Paithan, Kolhapur, Satara, period include textile industry, metallurgy, Ahmednagar, and small and big ports sugar industry etc. on the Konkan coast flourished with the development of trade and industries. *Lac is a resinous substance used for sealing, varnish, making ornaments, etc. The journey from the founding of The rural Maharashtra of Maratha period Swarajya to the expansion of the Maratha was organised into different social classes empire, is an important part of Indian history such as nobility (sardars), landlords of mediaeval times. The Maratha power (watandars), Balutedars and Ryot (rest of the came to an end and the British brought most subjects). of India under their dominance. The transition There were traditional schools took place in various sectors. It marks the (pathshalas) established in cities like Wai, onset of modern era.

Exercise

Q.1 (A) Choose the correct alternative and (2) The Pathans from Afghanistan had complete the sentence. settled in , the province at (1) is known as the Father of the foothills of the Himalayas. Indian Navy. (a) Varanasi (b) Mathura (a) Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (c) Ayodhya (d) Delhi (b) Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj (3) Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj wrote (c) Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj the Sanskrit text . (d) Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj (a) Nayikabhed (b) Budhabhushan (c) Nakhshikh (d) Satasattka

127 (B) Find the incorrect pair and write Q.3 Explain the statement with reasons. the correct ones. (1) Shahajiraje is known as the visionary (1) Naik-Nimbalkar wada – Vathar of Swarajya. (2) Nana Phadanvis wada – Menavali (2) Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj built (3) Kalaram temple – Jejuri the naval force. (4) Mohiniraj temple – Nevase (3) Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj charged (C) Write the name. heavy duty on the salt imported (1) He was the Chief of the intelligence from the Portuguese territory. network of Shivaji Maharaj - Q.4 Write short notes. (2) He assisted in the provincial affairs - (1) Maratha Art (3) Leader of the Rohillas - (2) Maratha Architecture Q.2 Complete the following concept map.

Characteristic architecture 

Sculpture Characteristic Places of Maratha Temples

Building material

128 B{Vhmg B. 11 dr

B{Vhmg B. 11 dr B{Vhmg B. 11 dr