Maratha Empire

The Maratha 'rise to power was a dramatic turning point that accelerated the closure of Muslim dominance in India. Maratha chieftains were originally in the service of Bijapur sultans in the western Deccan, which was under siege by the Mughal. Shivaji Bhonsle (1627 - 1680 AD) is recognized as the "father of Maratha nation." Shivaji Bhosle, founder of Maratha empire, was born in 1627 AD, the fort of Shivneri, 40 miles north of Pune. By 1647, Shivaji had captured two forts and had complete responsibility for Pune. He slowly started capturing forts in the area, Purandar, Rajgad, Torna. In 1659 Shivaji succeeded in killing the famous Adilshahi general Afzal Khan and demoralizing his army. He took advantage of this conflict and laid the foundation of Maratha Kingdom near Pune, which later became the capital of Maratha. Shivaji used guerilla tactics and brilliant military strategies to lead a series of successful attacks in the 1660s against Mughal strongholds, including the major port of Surat. He lost to Aurangzeb's General Jai Singh and was arrested in 1666. He made a daring escape and regained its lost territory and glory. By 1673, he had control over most of western Maharashtra and had made 'Raigad' capital. In 1674 he assumed the title of "Chhatrapati" at his comprehensive coronation. At the time of his death in 1680, almost the entire Deccan belonged to his kingdom. He had developed an efficient administration and a strong army.

His son Sambhaji succeeded Shivaji. He was captured and executed by Aurangzeb, in 1689. Rajaram, Shivaji's second son then took over the throne. After the death of Rajaram in 1700 Tarabai, widow of Rajaram, introduced his young son Shahu on the throne, the young age of ten, and continued the battle against Aurangzeb. Shahu continued to fight against Mughal and captured Rajgad, the former capital of Maratha's. The fight against Mughal ended with the death of Aurangzeb in the 1707th The balance of power shifted towards Maratha, who would soon be controlled by Peshwas.

Peshwa dynasty (1712 - 1818 AD) :

Balaji Vishwanath (1712 - 1721 AD): In 1712, Shahu died and his minister or Peshwa, Balaji Vishwanath took over the throne. In 1717 a Mughal envoy signed a treaty with the Maratha confirms their claim to rule in the Deccan. 1718 marked the beginning of the Maratha influence in Delhi. Balaji Vishwanath's death in the 1721st

Bajirao Peshwa I (1721 - 1740 AD): Bajirao, the eldest son after the death of Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath. Pune had regained its status as capital of Maratha Kingdom from Rajgad. In 1734, Bajirao captured the Malwa territory in the north, in 1739, he drove out the Portuguese from almost all their possessions in the Western Ghats. Bajirao died in 1740. Baji Rao's son, Balaji Bajirao (Nanasaheb) succeeded as Peshwa. He defeated Ahmad Shah Abdalli in 1756 near Delhi. But in the third Battle of Panipat (1761), between the Maratha and Ahmad Shah Abdalli, Maratha lost the war. That war destroyed both Abdalli and Peshwas. Balaji Bajirao died shortly after the war shattered by the death of his eldest son and brother.

His second son Madhav Rao Peshwa took the title in the 1761st He achieved many remarkable victories and restored the glory of the Maratha kingdom to a large extent. His outstanding achievements included defeat of Nizam of Hyderabad, Hyder Ali of Mysore and Bhosle of Nagpur. In 1769, Maratha lead Mahadaji Shinde, also northern India campaign. They defeated the Jats and took hold of Agra and Mathura. Madhav Rao died in 1772 at an early age of 27 years.

Narayanrao Peshwa (1772 - 1773 AD): only possible in a year and was assassinated in a palace conspiracy. Raghunathrao proclaimed the next Peshwa, although he was not heir to the title. He was driven from power by an intelligent plot of twelve Maratha chiefs and little son of Madhav Rao called Sawai Madhavrao was then declared the next Peshwa. The chief administrator was Nana Phadnis. He handled Peshwai well and with great unanimity among the Maratha chiefs. They defeated the rising British Power in 1784, near Pune and halted their progress, temporarily until the premature death of Sawai Madhavrao in 1795. In 1796 Baji Rao II, son of Raghunath Rao Peshwa was. Nana Phadanis fit Maratha kingdom well until his death in 1800 AD After Baji Rao II signed a treaty with the British in 1802, weakening the Peshwa power. His son, Nanasaheb Peshwa opposed the British with all the support he could muster. By 1818 the Peshwa power came to an end. Nanasaheb Peshwa's struggle continued. But the failure of the 1857 war put an end to any lingering hopes.