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Context:

A scene from the trailer of the upcoming Bollywood film Chhava, based on the life of Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, has led to controversy in Maharashtra.

The eldest son of the celebrated Maratha emperor, Chhatrapati Shivaji, Sambhaji was the second ruler of the kingdom after his father’s death.

About Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj

Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was the military king of Maratha and the child of Shivaji Maharaj, another legendary monarch. The Maratha Empire was founded in the area of Indian children in a country that wanted to defeat the ruler, who swore loyalty to the heirs of Turkish, Persian, and Mongolian attackers.

Sambhaji Maharaj ruled for only 9-10 years until he succumbed to Aurangzeb, but people from Maratha never forgot his heroism. Sambhaji Maharaj, son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, had a big task to defend the Maratha empire against the power of the Mughal Emperors in Delhi, who were subsequently presented and destroyed by Marat's soldiers, as well as Shivaji Maharaj's mission and ideas.

Shivaji Maharaj Empire

The Empire of Shivaji Maharaji was a Hindu warrior in the western part of the Indian plateau Deccan, to which the plateau connects with the eastern Ghats Hills.

They forgave Muslim attacks on Mughals in northern India and liberated them from the princes in Bijapur in the southeast.

In 1674, Shivaji Maharaj declared himself an emperor and took over the title. He felt influenced by the Mighty Vijayanagara Empire, which served as a bastion for a Muslim invasion in southern India, and Kanthirava Zarasaraja Wodeyar, the ruler of Mysore.

Aspect	Details
Birth	May 14, 1657
Place of Birth	Near Pune, Maharashtra, India
Parents	Shivaji Maharaj (father), Saibai Nimbarkar (mother)
Father's Care	After his mother's death, raised by his father Jijabai
Reign	July 20, 1680 – March 11, 1689
Dynasty	Maratha Empire
Coronation	July 20, 1680, at Raigad Fort
Predecessor	Shivaji Maharaj
Successor	Rajaram Maharaj
Coronation as Prince	June 6, 1674, during Shivaji Maharaj's coronation
Major Battles	Battle for Burhanpur (1681)
	Campaigns in Konan (1683-1684)
	Siege of Ramsej (1682-1688)
	Battle of Wai (1687)
	Battle of Bhupalgarh (1687)
Marital Status	Married to Yesubai
Children	Shah I (son)
Notable Achievements	Expanded Maratha Empire, maritime successes against Siddis & Portuguese, resistance to Mughal oppression
Death	March 11, 1689, near Tulapur, Pune, Maharashtra, India
Cause of Death	Executed by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb
Legacy	Remembered for bravery, resistance to Mughal oppression, and contributions to the Maratha Empire

About Maratha Empire

Factors/Events	Details
Geographic Advantages	Mountainous terrain and dense forests facilitated guerrilla warfare and fort construction.
Religious & Political Unity	Bhakti movement instilled unity; spiritual leaders like Tukaram and Ramdas promoted social cohesion. Shivaji's leadership united the Marathas politically.
Maratha Political Influence	Marathas held key positions in Deccan Sultanates; Shivaji established the Maratha state, expanding through territorial gains.
Shivaji’s Leadership	Founded the Maratha state (1630); established Hindavi Swarajya, built forts, created a navy, and improved administration.
Successors of Shivaji	Sambhaji and Rajaram succeeded Shivaji, followed by Shahu, who empowered the Peshwas.
Maratha Empire Administration	Central: Ashtapradhan council; Provincial: Divided into provinces for direct taxation; Revenue: Chauth, Sardeshmukhi, Ryotwari system; Military: Strong, with focus on cavalry and navy.
Peshwa Era	Began in 1713 with Balaji Vishwanath, leading to consolidation and Maratha expansion under Baji Rao I.
Maratha Empire Under Baji Rao I	Established the Maratha Confederacy; fought key battles like Palkhed, Delhi, and Bhopal.
Maratha Empire Under Balaji Baji Rao	Strengthened agriculture, agreed to protect Mughals; Battle of Panipat (1761) weakened Maratha power.
Maratha-Mughal Conflict	Marathas resisted Mughal expansion through guerrilla tactics, challenging Mughal dominance.
Anglo-Maratha Wars	Three wars (1775-1818), with the British emerging victorious due to Maratha divisions and British diplomacy.
First Anglo-Maratha War	The Treaty of Surat (1775) and Salbai (1782) resulted in temporary peace with territorial gains for the British.
Second Anglo-Maratha War	The Treaty of Rajpurghat (1806) weakened Maratha's power.
Third Anglo-Maratha War	British defeat of Marathas in 1818; Peshwa surrendered, leading to the collapse of the Maratha Confederacy.
Reasons for Decline	Ineffective leadership, weak military structure, disunity among Maratha chiefs, lack of economic stability, and skilled British diplomacy.

Source:

Indian Express

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Discuss the administrative and military strategies that contributed to the rise and expansion of the Maratha Empire in the 17th and 18th centuries. Highlight the challenges faced during its decline. (250 words)