UNIT The Marathas 15 Learning Objectives To acquire knowledge in Conditions that facilitated the rise of Marathas Shivaji’s contribution to the establishment of Maratha kingdom Shivaji’s administrative system Peshwa rule and administration Role of Maratha in Tamilnadu with special reference to Serfoji II Introduction themselves on their loyalty, courage, discipline, cunningness, and endurance. They had earlier The Marathas played a major role in the served under the Bahmani Sultans and later, decline of Mughal power. Under the dynamic after its disintegration, under the Sultans of leadership of Shivaji, they posed a strong Ahmednagar, Bijapur, Golconda, Bidar and challenge to Mughal power during the 1670s. Berar. By the middle of the 18th century, they had Marathas avoided direct battles with the succeeded in displacing Mughal power in Mughal armies that were equipped with strong central India. Nayak rule ended in 1674 in cavalry and deadly cannons. "Guerrilla warfare" Thanjavur, when the Maratha General Venkoji was their strength. They possessed the ability to (half brother of Shivaji) leading the Bijapur plan and execute the surprise lightning attacks forces invaded Thanjavur and succeeded in at night. Further, they exhibited skills to change establishing Maratha rule in the Tamil region. their tactics according to the battle situation Maratha rule in Thanjavur which started from without waiting for orders from a superior 1674 continued until the death of Serfoji II in officer. 1832. (b) Bhakti Movement and its 15.1 Causes of the Rise of Impact the Marathas The spread of the Bhakti (a) Physical features and Nature movement inculcated the spirit of oneness among the of the People Marathas. Tukaram, Ramdas, The region of the Marathas consisted and Eknath were the leading of a narrow strip of land called Konkan. Its lights of the movement. The precipitous mountains, inaccessible valleys and hymns of the Bhakti saints impregnable hill-forts were most favourable were sung in Marathi and they for military defence. The Marathas claimed a created a bond among people Ramdas long tradition of military prowess and prided across the society. 225 XI History - Lesson 15.indd 225 29-02-2020 15:46:07 Military Conquests “The religious revival [in Maratha country] Shivaji began his military career at the age was not Brahmanical” in its orthodoxy, it of nineteen. In 1646, he captured the fortress was heterodox in its spirit of protest against of Torna from the Sultan of Bijapur. The fort forms, ceremonies and class distinctions. of Raigad, located five miles east of Torna, was The saints sprang chiefly from the lower captured and wholly rebuilt. After the death of order of the society other than Brahmins. Dadaji Kondadev in 1647, Shivaji took over all – Justice Ranade. the jagirs of his father. Subsequently, the forts of Baramati, Indapura, Purandhar and Kondana (c) External causes came under his direct control. The Marathas had already captured Kalyan, an important The degeneration of Bijapur and Golkonda prompted the Marathas to unite and fight town in that region. together. The Deccan wars against the Sultans Shivaji’s father had been humiliated of Bijapur, Golkonda and Ahmednagar had and imprisoned by the Sultan of Bijapur. He exhausted the Mughal treasury. Shivaji rallied negotiated with Prince Murad, the Mughal the Marathas who lay scattered in many parts of Viceroy of the Deccan and expressed his wish Deccan under his leadership and built a mighty to join Mughal service. The Sultan of Bijapur kingdom, with Raigarh (Raigad) as the capital. released Shahji in 1649 on some conditions. So, Shivaji refrained from his military activities 15.2 Shivaji (1627–1680) from 1649 to 1655. During this period, he Shivaji was born in consolidated his power and toned up his Shivner near Junnar. He was administration. the son of Shahji Bhonsle by In 1656, Shivaji re-started his military his first wife Jijabai. Shahji was activities. He captured Javli in the Satara district a descendant of the Yadava and the immense booty that he won made him rulers of Devagiri from his popular among the Marathas. Many young men mother’s side and the Sisodias joined his army. A new fort, Pratapgarh, was of Mewar on his father’s side. Shivaji built two miles west of Javli. Shahji Bhonsle served under Malik Ambar (1548–1626), former slave, and Confrontation against Bijapur the Abyssinian minister of Ahmed Shah of After Mohammad Adilshah of Bijapur died Ahmednagar. After the death of Malik Ambar, in November 1656, Adilshah II, a young man of Shahji played a vital role in its politics. After the eighteen, succeeded him. Aurangzeb captured annexation of Ahmednagar by the Mughals, he Bidar, Kalyani and Purandar in 1657. So, both entered the service of the Sultan of Bijapur. Shivaji and the Bijapur Sultan were forced Shivaji and his mother were left under the to make peace with Aurangzeb. At this time care of Dadaji Kondadev who administered Shahji Shah Jahan fell ill, and a war of succession was Bhonsle’s jagirs (land grants given in recognition imminent in Delhi. Aurangzeb left for Delhi to of military or administrative services rendered) take part in it. Using this opportunity, Shivaji at Poona. Shivaji earned the goodwill of the invaded north Konkan and captured the cities Mavali peasants and chiefs, who were a martial of Kalyan, Bhivandi and fort of Mahuli. people with knowledge about the hilly areas Shivaji and Afzal Khan, 1659 around Poona. Shivaji made himself familiar with the hilly areas around Poona. Religious heads, As there was no danger from the Mughals, Ramdas and Tukaram, also influenced Shivaji. Bijapur Sultan decided to attack Shivaji. Ramdas was regarded by Shivaji as his guru. Afzal Khan was sent with a huge army. He 226 The Marathas XI History - Lesson 15.indd 226 29-02-2020 15:46:08 boasted that he would bring the “mountain- June 1665. The heroic resistance of Shivaji rat” in chains. But, he found fighting in the became futile. Therfore he decided to come mountainous country extremely difficult. to negotiate with Jai Singh. According to the So, he planned to trick Shivaji but he was treaty of Purandar signed on 11 June 1665 outwitted. The Maratha forces ravaged South Shivaji yielded the fortresses that he had Konkan and Kolhapur district and captured captured and agreed to serve as a mansabdar the fort of Panhala. The Sultan of Bijapur and assist the Mughals in conquering Bijapur. himself led the army and the war dragged on Visit to Agra for more than a year. Nothing substantial was gained. Finally, after negotiations, Shivaji was Jai Singh persuaded Shivaji to visit the recognised as the ruler of the territories in his Mughal court. He fed Shivaji with high hopes possession. and took personal responsibility for his safety at the capital. Shivaji and his son Sambhaji Shivaji and the Mughals reached Agra in May 1666. But, they were not In July 1658, Aurangzeb ascended the shown due respect. Humiliated, he burst out throne as the Emperor. Shaista Khan was and abused the Emperor. When Shivaji was appointed the Governor of the Deccan in imprisoned, he managed to escape by hiding 1660 with the main purpose of crushing himself in a fruit basket. Shivaji. Shivaji hit upon a bold plan. He In 1666, Shivaji resumed his belligerent entered Poona at night with 400 soldiers in policy and led Maratha soldiers in new the form of a marriage party and attacked the conquests. As the Mughals were busy with home of Shaista Khan. Aurangzeb was forced the Afghan risings in the North-West, they to recall Shaista Khan from the Deccan in could not deal with Shivaji. Shivaji also December 1663. occupied himself with the re-organisation Shivaji and Jaisingh of his internal administration. Prince Muazzam, Viceroy of the Deccan, was weak In 1664, Shivaji attacked Surat, the major and indolent. Raja Jaswant Singh was friendly Mughal port in Arabian Sea and his soldiers towards Shivaji. Sambhaji was also made a plundered the city. Aurangzeb despatched mansabdar of 5000. an army under the command of the Rajput general Raja Jai Singh to defeat Shivaji and Conflict with the Mughals annex Bijapur. At that time, Prince Muazzam, (1670) (known as Bahadur Shah I), was the Governor Aurangzeb took of the Deccan. Jai Singh made elaborate plans back a part of the jagir to encircle Shivaji on all sides. Even Raigarh in Berar which was was under threat. Purandar was besieged in once given to Shivaji. Shivaji got annoyed and recalled his troops from Mughal service. He recovered almost all the forts he had ceded to the Mughals by the treaty of Aurangzeb Purandar. In 1670, he again sacked Surat, the most important port on the western coast. In 1672, the Marathas imposed chauth or one fourth of the revenue Shivaji and Jai Singh as annual tribute on Surat. The Marathas 227 XI History - Lesson 15.indd 227 29-02-2020 15:46:08 Coronation He allowed his half-brother Venkoji or Ekoji to On 6 June 1674, Shivaji was crowned at carry on administering Thanjavur. The Nayaks Raigarh. He assumed the title of “Chhatrapathi”( of Madurai promised a huge amount as tribute. metaphor for “supreme king ”). The Carnatic campaigns added glory and prestige to Shivaji. Senji, the newly conquered place, acted as the second line of defence for his successors. Last days of Shivaji Shivaji’s last days were not happy. His eldest son Sambhaji deserted him and joined the Mughal camp. Although he returned, he was imprisoned and sent to Panhala fort by Aurangzeb. The relentless campaigns affected Shivaji’s health. He died in 1680 at Raigarh (Raigad) Fort the age of 53. Deccan Campaigns At the time of his death, Shivaji’s kingdom In 1676, Shivaji began his career of conquests comprised the Western Ghats and the Konkan in the south.