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Rise of Marathas: Foundation of Swaraj by Shivaj, Expansion under Peshwas

Rise of Marathas history in this topic you learn how Shivaji established Swaraj his administration military strategies Mughal conflicts and how Peshwas expanded Maratha power across India shaping early modern politics

May 5, 2026
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Rise of Marathas & foundation of Swaraj by Shivaji marks one of the most transformative political movements in medieval Indian history. For ugc net aspirants, this topic explains how a regional resistance evolved into a powerful empire that challenged Mughal supremacy and later expanded across India under the Peshwas.

The Maratha movement began as a quest for Swaraj (self-rule) under Shivaji. It later transformed into a confederacy that controlled large parts of India. This article provides a complete analytical explanation for ugc net preparation.

Rise of Marathas Historical Background

The Deccan region in the 17th century remained under. Political instability and heavy taxation created dissatisfaction. In this environment, the Rise of the Marathas & the foundation of Swaraj by Shivaj emerged as a regional assertion of autonomy.

The declining Deccan Sultanates
Expanding Mughal authority
Local chieftains (Deshmukhs)

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Rise of Marathas foundation of Swaraj

Shivaji Bhonsle (1630–1680) laid the foundation of Swaraj. He aimed to establish independent Maratha rule free from Mughal and Bijapur control.

Early Achievements

Captured Torna Fort (1646)
Defeated Afzal Khan at Pratapgad (1659)
Conducted guerrilla warfare
Raided Surat (1664)

His coronation in 1674 at Raigad declared sovereign authority. The Rise of the Marathas & the foundation of Swaraj by Shivaj became a symbol of Hindu kingship revival.

Administrative Reforms Under Shivaji

Shivaji built a structured administration that ensured efficient governance, strong revenue collection, disciplined military control, and stable provincial management, which laid the foundation of a well-organized Maratha state. Shivaji built a structured administration.

Ashtapradhan Council

Peshwa (Prime Minister)
Amatya (Finance)
Sachiv (Secretary)
Mantri (Interior)
Senapati (Army Chief)
Sumant (Foreign Affairs)
Nyayadhish (Justice)
Panditrao (Religious Affairs)

This system strengthened governance during the Rise of the Marathas & the foundation of Swaraj by Shivaj.

Revenue System

Land measurement
Direct collection
Reduced exploitation
Chauth (25% tribute)
Sardeshmukhi (10% additional tax)

Revenue reforms ensured financial stability.

Military Organization

A disciplined standing army directly paid by the state instead of relying only on feudal chiefs.
A strong fort system with strategically located hill forts for defense and quick retreat.

A well-organized guerrilla warfare strategy (Ganimi Kava) that used speed, surprise, and local terrain knowledge.
A small but effective navy to protect the western coast from the Siddis, Portuguese, and other rivals.
Strict military discipline with merit-based promotion rather than hereditary rank.

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Shivaji introduced:

Guerrilla warfare (Ganimi Kava)
Strong navy under Kanhoji Angre
Fort-based defense
Mobile cavalry units

Military innovation played a central role in the Rise of the Marathas & the foundation of Swaraj by Shivaj.

Mughal–Maratha Relations

Mughal–Maratha Relations refers to the complex political, military, and diplomatic interactions between the Mughal Empire and the Maratha Empire from the 17th to 18th centuries.

The conflict began during the rise of Shivaji, who challenged Mughal authority in the Deccan and established an independent Maratha state.
Under Aurangzeb, relations turned hostile, leading to long Deccan wars that drained Mughal resources.
After Aurangzeb’s death, Mughal power weakened while Marathas expanded north under leaders like Baji Rao I.
The two powers shifted from open warfare to political negotiation, tribute arrangements, and influence over imperial succession.
By the mid-18th century, Marathas became dominant in Indian politics, while Mughal emperors survived mainly as symbolic rulers.

Key events:

Treaty of Purandar (1665)
Shivaji’s arrest and escape from Agra
Renewed conflict

Maratha resilience weakened Mughal authority in the Deccan.

Rise of Marathas Administrative Structure

Feature	Description	Significance
Ashtapradhan	Eight ministers	Central governance
Revenue Reform	Direct collection	Financial stability
Fort Strategy	300+ forts	Defensive strength
Guerrilla Warfare	Surprise tactics	Military advantage

Expansion After Shivaji

After Shivaji’s death in 1680, the Maratha state faced internal struggles and Mughal attacks, especially from Aurangzeb. Despite these challenges, leaders like Sambhaji, Rajaram, and Tarabai continued resistance and preserved Maratha power. The administration gradually shifted authority to the Peshwas, who strengthened the military and finances. Under Peshwa leadership, the Marathas expanded into Malwa, Gujarat, and northern India. By the early 18th century, they emerged as a major political force after the decline of the Mughal Empire.

After Shivaji’s death:

Sambhaji resisted Mughals
Rajaram continued struggle
Tarabai led resistance

Despite the Mughal invasion, the Maratha resistance survived. The movement transitioned toward Peshwa leadership.

Expansion Under the Peshwas

Under Balaji Vishwanath, the administration of the Maratha Empire became centralized and politically stable.

During the rule of Baji Rao I, rapid military campaigns expanded Maratha influence into Malwa, Gujarat, and parts of North India.
By the mid-18th century, the Peshwas had transformed the Marathas into the dominant power in India, overshadowing the weakening Mughal authority.

The Peshwas transformed Maratha power into a pan-Indian force.

Baji Rao I (1720–1740)

Expanded into Malwa
Entered Delhi politics
Weakened Mughal authority

He famously declared that Marathas should “strike at the trunk of the Mughal tree.”

The political evolution after the Rise of the Marathas Shivaj reached its territorial peak under Baji Rao.

Balaji Baji Rao (Nana Saheb)

Extended control to Punjab
Collected tribute from Rajput states
Established Maratha Confederacy

The Marathas became the dominant power in India.

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Maratha Confederacy

The Maratha Confederacy was a loose political alliance of semi-independent Maratha chiefs that emerged in the 18th century after the decline of centralized authority under the Peshwas. Instead of a single ruler, powerful families like the Scindias, Holkars, Gaekwads, and Bhonsles governed their own regions while recognizing the nominal authority of the Peshwa at Pune.

It became the dominant power in India for a time, controlling vast territories from the Deccan to North India, but internal rivalries and defeats in the Anglo-Maratha Wars eventually led to its fall and the rise of British supremacy.

Major houses:

Scindias (Gwalior)
Holkars (Indore)
Gaekwads (Baroda)
Bhonsles (Nagpur)

Maratha Expansion Under Peshwas

Leader	Region Expanded	Impact
Baji Rao I	Malwa, Bundelkhand	Northern expansion
Nana Saheb	Punjab, Rajputana	Political dominance
Madhav Rao I	Stabilization	Administrative reform

Third Battle of Panipat (1761)

The Third Battle of Panipat was fought on 14 January 1761 at Panipat between the Maratha forces and the invading army of Ahmad Shah Abdali (also called Ahmad Shah Durrani). It was one of the largest and bloodiest battles of 18th-century India and marked a turning point in Indian political history.

Background

After the decline of Mughal power, the Marathas expanded northward and tried to control Delhi and Punjab.
This expansion alarmed Afghan ruler Ahmad Shah Abdali, who invaded India to check Maratha dominance.
Several north Indian rulers, including Shuja-ud-Daula and Najib-ud-Daula, sided with Abdali.

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Leaders

Side	Leader	Notes
Marathas	Sadashivrao Bhau	Commander-in-chief
Marathas	Vishwasrao	Peshwa’s son, killed in battle
Afghans	Ahmad Shah Abdali	Supreme commander

Causes of Conflict

Maratha expansion into North India.
Control of Delhi and Punjab trade routes.
Afghan desire to maintain influence in India.
Alliances of regional rulers against Marathas.

Course of the Battle

The Maratha army faced supply shortages due to enemy blockades.
The battle began with artillery exchanges followed by cavalry charges.
Afghan forces used mobile cavalry tactics and reserves effectively.
The death of Vishwasrao caused panic among Maratha troops.
By evening, the Maratha army collapsed and suffered massive casualties.

Results

Decisive victory for Ahmad Shah Abdali.
Heavy losses on both sides, especially Marathas.
Maratha expansion in North India temporarily stopped.
Political vacuum later helped the British East India Company expand.

The Rise of Marathas & the foundation of Swaraj by Shivaj began as a regional assertion of self-rule. Shivaji built a disciplined administration, strong military, and clear vision of sovereignty. Under the Peshwas, Maratha power expanded across India and challenged Mughal dominance.

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Rise of Marathas FAQs

1. What is meant by Rise of the Marathas & the foundation of Swaraj by Shivaj?

The rise of the Marathas refers to the emergence of a strong regional power in western India during the 17th century under Shivaji’s leadership. He aimed to establish Swaraj (self-rule) free from the domination of the Mughal Empire and the Deccan sultanates. Shivaji built a disciplined army, captured strategic forts, created a navy, and introduced efficient administration. His coronation in 1674 symbolized the formal establishment of an independent Maratha state based on indigenous traditions, local support, and strong military organization.

2. What was the Ashtapradhan system?

The Ashtapradhan system was Shivaji’s council of eight ministers who handled different departments of governance. Each minister had a specific role such as finance, foreign affairs, military, justice, and religious matters. This structure ensured centralized authority while maintaining administrative efficiency. It prevented misuse of power because responsibilities were clearly divided. The system reflected Shivaji’s vision of a well-organized state where governance depended on merit, discipline, and accountability rather than hereditary privilege.

3. How did Peshwas expand Maratha power?

The Peshwas transformed the Maratha kingdom into a vast political force during the 18th century. Leaders like Baji Rao I adopted aggressive expansion policies and led successful campaigns into Malwa, Gujarat, Bundelkhand, and even Delhi. They formed alliances with regional rulers and established a confederacy system in which semi-independent chiefs acknowledged Maratha authority. They also imposed tribute systems such as chauth and sardeshmukhi, which strengthened finances. This expansion turned the Marathas into the dominant power in India after the decline of Mughal authority.

4. Why was the Third Battle of Panipat important?

The Third Battle of Panipat (1761) was a decisive confrontation between the Marathas and the Afghan ruler Ahmad Shah Abdali. It proved crucial because it halted Maratha expansion into North India and caused massive losses of soldiers and leaders. Although Abdali did not establish long-term rule, the Marathas lost their momentum and political confidence. This battle reshaped Indian politics by weakening both sides, which created opportunities for new powers to rise. Historians consider it a turning point that shifted the balance of power in the subcontinent.

5. What caused Maratha decline?

The decline of the Marathas resulted from multiple internal and external factors. Rivalries among Maratha chiefs weakened unity and reduced central authority. The confederacy system created powerful regional leaders who often acted independently. Continuous wars drained resources and reduced military strength. At the same time, the rising influence of the British East India Company introduced a new political force with superior military organization and diplomacy. By the early 19th century, defeats in Anglo-Maratha wars ended Maratha supremacy and established British dominance.