Rise And Fall Of The Maratha Empire
Origins of Maratha Empire
The Maratha Empire
Formally the Maratha empire began with the coronation of Shivaji from Bhonsle dynasty in 1674 and ended with the defeat of Peshwa Baji Rao II by the British in the 3rd Anglo Maratha war in 1818. But its origins can be traced to the small battles that Shivaji fought against the Adil Shahi dynasty of Bijapur and later with the Mughals.The Maratha empire expanded at the cost of the decaying Mughal empire in the 18th century. It was only the Marathas who possessed the strength and resources to fill the political vacuum created by the disintegration of the Mughal empire. But unfortunately the Maratha sardars lacked unity, outlook and program necessary for founding an all-India empire even though they produced a number of brilliant commanders and statesmen needed for the task.
Shivaji died in 1680 after which his son Sambhaji continued the rivalry with the Mughals under Aurangazeb. Sambhaji was captured and executed by the Mughals. Then his son Shahu continued the rivalry with the Mughals who captured him too along with his family. Aurangazeb had adopted the policy of suppressing the Marathas which cost him a lot of resources and men. The long rivalry continued for 27 years. But soon after his death, his son and successor Bahadur Shah reversed many of his policies. Shahu was released from captivity, though his mother was still kept under arrest as a collateral.
