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The Rise of the Marathas

NCERT Class 8 · Social Science Based on NCERT Class 8 Social Science textbook · Free CBSE study kit

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Chapter Notes

Overview
This chapter traces the emergence of the Marathas from a regional group in the Deccan to the largest pan-Indian power before the British takeover. It focuses on the visionary leadership of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who founded the Maratha kingdom through guerrilla warfare, naval strength, and efficient administration. The one big idea a student must walk away with is that the Marathas challenged Mughal dominance, revived Hindu cultural confidence, and were the primary power from whom the British captured India.
Key Concepts (18)
Marathas
A group of people native to the Deccan plateau, specifically present-day Maharashtra, identified by the Marathi language which has a rich literary history since the 12th century.
e.g. Like people from Maharashtra today who speak Marathi and celebrate festivals like Gudi Padwa.
Swarājya
The vision of a sovereign kingdom or self-rule, extending to political, economic, and cultural aspects, championed by Chhatrapati Shivaji.
e.g. Just as India's freedom fighters wanted 'Swaraj' or self-rule, Shivaji wanted the Marathas to rule themselves instead of serving the Sultans.
Guerrilla warfare
A tactic using small groups of people in a focused way, with speed, surprise, and knowledge of the terrain to defeat bigger armies.
e.g. Like a small group of local boys knowing every shortcut and hiding spot in their village to outsmart a larger group of outsiders.
Jāgīr
A piece of land given by a king or ruler to someone (usually a noble or soldier) as a reward for their service; the person could collect taxes from the land.
e.g. Like a landlord who is given a village to manage and collect rent from farmers in exchange for serving the king.
Bhakti
A path of devotion to the divine or a particular deity, preferred by saints between the 7th and 17th centuries for spiritual upliftment over external ritualism.
e.g. Singing bhajans in a temple or at home with devotion, rather than just performing rituals without feeling.
Aṣhṭa pradhāna manḍala
The council of eight ministers appointed by Chhatrapati Shivaji to assist him with administration, including the Pradhān (Prime Minister), Amātya (Finance Minister), and Senāpatī (Commander-in-chief).
e.g. Like the Cabinet of Ministers in today's Indian government, where each minister handles a specific department.
Chauth
A tax of 25% levied by the Marathas from provinces not directly under them, in return for protection and non-interference in internal administration.
e.g. If a neighbouring kingdom paid chauth to the Marathas, the Marathas would protect them from invasion but not interfere in their daily rule.
Sardeshmukhi
An additional tax of 10% on top of chauth, levied by the Marathas from provinces not directly under them.
e.g. If a province paid ₹100 as chauth, they would also pay ₹10 extra as sardeshmukhi.
Bārgīrs
Cavalry soldiers whose horses and equipment were paid for by the state.
e.g. Like a government employee who is given an official vehicle and fuel allowance for work.
Shiledārs
Cavalry soldiers whose horses and equipment were paid for by the soldiers themselves.
e.g. Like a person who uses their own car for work and is reimbursed only for travel expenses.
Panchāyat
A local gathering of officials and prominent men that delivered justice in the Maratha judicial system, not to be confused with the current-day Panchayat.
e.g. Like a village council of elders who sit together to resolve a dispute between two neighbours.
Kotwāl
The police officer deployed in prominent towns like Pune and Indore to ensure law and order within the city.
e.g. Like the local police station in-charge who maintains peace in a town today.
Cartaz
Naval trade passes issued by Europeans (especially Portuguese) that Indian ships were forced to purchase; any ship without a pass was confiscated.
e.g. Like a toll tax or permit that you must buy to use a highway, or else your vehicle is seized.
Dakṣhiṇa-digvijaya
The conquest of the South undertaken by Chhatrapati Shivaji after his coronation, including parts of present-day northern Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
e.g. Like a king going on a campaign to bring southern regions under his control.
Rājyābhiṣheka shaka
The new era started by Chhatrapati Shivaji after his coronation in 1674, similar to how some past rulers started their own calendar.
e.g. Like how India uses the Saka calendar alongside the Gregorian calendar.
Peshwa
A Persian term meaning 'prime minister'; the Peshwa wielded great influence in the Maratha Empire, sometimes even over the Chhatrapati himself.
e.g. Like a Prime Minister who becomes so powerful that the King or President's role becomes mostly ceremonial.
Surgical strike
A military attack intended to damage only a specific target, with no or minimal damage to other people or infrastructure.
e.g. Like the Indian Army's surgical strikes across the Line of Control in 2016, targeting terrorist launch pads without harming civilians.
Moḍī script
A cursive form of Devanagari script that was the main script used by Marathas for their correspondence.
e.g. Like how we sometimes write in cursive handwriting instead of print letters.
How It Works
Chhatrapati Shivaji's Escape from Agra
  1. Shivaji was put under house arrest by Aurangzeb after storming out of the Mughal court.
  2. Shivaji started distributing gifts containing fruits and sweets packed in big baskets to holy men and Mughal generals.
  3. Guards initially checked the baskets but soon stopped doing so.
  4. Shivaji and his son Sambhaji hid themselves in the baskets and made their escape.
  5. Aurangzeb could never capture Shivaji again.
💡 Students often confuse this with a simple 'escape in a fruit basket' — the key detail is that Shivaji first gained the guards' trust by repeatedly sending gifts that were checked and found harmless.
Maratha Taxation System (Chauth and Sardeshmukhi)
  1. The Marathas levied chauth (25%) from provinces not directly under their control.
  2. They also levied sardeshmukhi (an additional 10% on top of chauth) from the same provinces.
  3. In return, the Marathas protected those provinces and did not intervene in their internal administration.
  4. The Mughals approved of this arrangement through various treaties.
  5. Over time, some of these provinces became part of the Maratha Empire.
💡 Students often think chauth was 25% of total revenue and sardeshmukhi was 10% of total revenue — but sardeshmukhi is 10% on top of chauth, not 10% of the total.
Guerrilla Warfare Tactics of the Marathas
  1. Small groups of soldiers were used instead of large armies.
  2. They used speed and surprise to attack the enemy.
  3. They used their knowledge of the local terrain (mountains, forests, forts) to their advantage.
  4. They would hide in mountains and forests and launch sudden attacks.
  5. After the attack, they would retreat to their forts or hideouts.
💡 Students often confuse guerrilla warfare with open battlefield combat — the key is that guerrilla warfare avoids direct, large-scale confrontation and relies on surprise and terrain knowledge.
Formation of the Maratha Navy
  1. Chhatrapati Shivaji expanded his kingdom to India's west coast.
  2. He needed to secure access to coastal resources.
  3. He established a navy — a revolutionary step at the time.
  4. The Bijapur Sultanate and Mughal Empire had very limited or no full-time naval forces.
  5. The Maratha Navy became legendary, with Kanhoji Angre later guiding it to many victories.
💡 Students often think the Maratha Navy was just a small fleet — in fact, it had over a hundred ships at one point and challenged European naval supremacy.
The Maratha Judicial System
  1. The panchāyat, a local gathering of officials and prominent men, delivered justice.
  2. If a person was unhappy with the verdict, they could appeal to a Maratha chief.
  3. In prominent towns like Pune and Indore, the kotwāl (police) ensured law and order.
  4. The system was remarkable for its moderation in using capital punishment (death penalty).
💡 Students often confuse the Maratha panchāyat with today's Panchayati Raj system — the Maratha panchāyat was a judicial body, not an elected local government.
Chhatrapati Shivaji's Administration System
  1. Shivaji instituted a relatively centralised administration.
  2. He abolished hereditary posts and land assignments.
  3. He paid a salary to every government official out of the state treasury.
  4. Many officials were periodically transferred to prevent them from gaining too much power.
  5. He gave pensions to widows of soldiers who died in battles and offered military posts to their sons.
  6. He had an aṣhṭa pradhāna manḍala (council of eight ministers) to assist him.
💡 Students often think Shivaji's administration was the same as the Mughal system — the key difference is that Shivaji paid salaries from the treasury and transferred officials, while Mughals often used hereditary posts and land assignments.
Exam Traps — Don't Make These Mistakes
⚠ Confusing Chauth and Sardeshmukhi
✗ Chauth was 25% tax and sardeshmukhi was 10% tax, both on the total revenue.
→ Sardeshmukhi was an additional 10% on top of chauth, not 10% of the total revenue. So if chauth was ₹25 on ₹100, sardeshmukhi was ₹2.50 more, making the total ₹27.50.
✓ Chauth was a tax of 25% levied by the Marathas, and sardeshmukhi was an additional 10% on top of chauth.
⚠ Calling Kanhoji Angre a Pirate
✗ Kanhoji Angre was a pirate who attacked European ships.
→ The chapter states that Europeans labelled him a 'pirate' out of frustration because he challenged their practice of forcing Indians to buy naval passes (cartaz). He was actually a Maratha naval commander who demanded passes from Europeans themselves.
✓ Kanhoji Angre was a Maratha naval commander who challenged European naval supremacy and demanded passes from Europeans, who labelled him a 'pirate' out of frustration.
⚠ Thinking the Marathas Defeated the British
✗ The Marathas defeated the British in the Anglo-Maratha wars.
→ The Marathas won the First Anglo-Maratha War (1775-1782) but ultimately lost the Third Anglo-Maratha War (1818), which ended Maratha power. The British took India from the Marathas.
✓ The Marathas won the First Anglo-Maratha War but were defeated in the Third Anglo-Maratha War in 1818, ending Maratha power.
⚠ Confusing the Panchāyat with Modern Panchayat
✗ The Maratha panchāyat was like today's village Panchayat, an elected local government body.
→ The chapter explicitly says 'not to be confused with the current-day Panchayat, a governmental body.' The Maratha panchāyat was a local gathering of officials and prominent men that delivered justice.
✓ The Maratha panchāyat was a local judicial body of officials and prominent men that delivered justice, different from today's elected Panchayat.
⚠ Thinking Shivaji's Navy Was Small and Insignificant
✗ Shivaji's navy was small and not very effective.
→ The chapter states that when the ruler of Oman heard that Shivaji's navy contained more than a hundred ships, he retreated inside the harbour. The navy's exploits became legendary and challenged European naval supremacy.
✓ Shivaji's navy was formidable, containing over a hundred ships, and its exploits became legendary, even causing the ruler of Oman to retreat.
⚠ Forgetting That Shivaji Spared Religious Places During the Sack of Surat
✗ Shivaji destroyed everything in Surat, including temples and mosques.
→ The chapter explicitly states that Shivaji was careful not to attack religious places and even spared the house of a charitable man named Mohandas Parekh.
✓ During the sack of Surat, Shivaji obtained enormous treasure but was careful not to attack religious places and spared the house of the charitable Mohandas Parekh.
Compare & Contrast
Payment for horses and equipment
Bārgīrs
Shiledārs
Bārgīrs had their horses and equipment paid for by the state, while shiledārs paid for their own horses and equipment.
Tax rate and purpose
Chauth
Sardeshmukhi
Chauth was a 25% tax levied by the Marathas for protection, while sardeshmukhi was an additional 10% on top of chauth.
Function and nature
Maratha Panchāyat
Modern Panchayat
The Maratha panchāyat was a local judicial body of officials and prominent men that delivered justice, while the modern Panchayat is an elected local government body.
Distribution of power
Chhatrapati Shivaji's Centralised Administration
Later Maratha Decentralised Structure
Shivaji's administration was centralised with salaried officials and periodic transfers, while later Maratha rule became decentralised with chiefs and Peshwas wielding more power, sometimes leading to indiscipline.
Exam Focus
Marks pattern: 2 MCQs (1 mark each), 1 SA (3 marks), 1 LA (5 marks)
Most asked: Chhatrapati Shivaji's life and achievements (birth, coronation, escape from Agra, Afzal Khan episode) · Guerrilla warfare and its use by the Marathas · Maratha administration (aṣhṭa pradhāna manḍala, chauth, sardeshmukhi) · Maratha Navy and Kanhoji Angre · Reasons for the decline of Maratha power (internal disunity, British superiority) · Cultural contributions of the Marathas (Thanjavur, Ahilyabai Holkar, temple rebuilding)
Don't skip: Long answer question on Chhatrapati Shivaji's administration and military strategies; Short answer question on the significance of the Maratha Navy; Comparison question on Maratha and Mughal administration
One-Line Revision (read aloud before the exam)
  1. The Marathas are a group of people native to the Deccan plateau, identified by the Marathi language.
  2. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was born in 1630 in the Bhonsle clan to Shahji and Jijabai.
  3. Shivaji launched his first military campaigns at the age of 16, capturing neglected forts in the Pune region.
  4. Guerrilla warfare uses small groups, speed, surprise, and knowledge of terrain to defeat larger armies.
  5. Shivaji killed Afzal Khan in a one-on-one meeting at the foot of Pratapgad fort using a wāgh nakh (tiger claw).
  6. Shivaji escaped from house arrest in Agra by hiding in fruit baskets with his son Sambhaji.
  7. Shivaji was coronated in 1674 at Raigad fort with full Vedic rites, starting the Rājyābhiṣheka shaka.
  8. The Maratha Navy was founded in 1657 and challenged European naval supremacy.
  9. Kanhoji Angre was a Maratha naval commander who demanded passes from Europeans, who labelled him a 'pirate'.
  10. The Marathas levied chauth (25%) and sardeshmukhi (additional 10%) from provinces not directly under them.
  11. Shivaji's aṣhṭa pradhāna manḍala included eight ministers like the Pradhān, Amātya, and Senāpatī.
  12. The Marathas lost the Third Anglo-Maratha War in 1818, ending their power and allowing the British to take over India.
  13. Ahilyabai Holkar rebuilt the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi and the Somnath temple in Gujarat.
  14. Tarabai was the architect of the northward Maratha expansion, sending armies into Mughal territories.
  15. The Thanjavur Marathas, under Serfoji II, patronised Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam.
  16. Forts were the core of the Maratha state, helping them survive against larger enemies like Aurangzeb.
  17. Shivaji forbade the Dutch from trading slaves, showing his concern for his subjects.
  18. The Maratha Empire was the largest pan-Indian power before the British took over the Subcontinent.

MCQs — 10 Questions with Answers

Q1. In which year was Chhatrapati Shivaji born?

  • A. 1630 ✓
  • B. 1646
  • C. 1674
  • D. 1680

Answer: A — Chhatrapati Shivaji was born in 1630 to the Bhonsle clan; he began his rule in 1646 and was coronated in 1674.

Q2. What is 'Swarājya' as envisioned by Chhatrapati Shivaji?

  • A. A military alliance with the Mughals
  • B. An independent sovereign kingdom with political, economic, and cultural aspects ✓
  • C. A trading company like the East India Company
  • D. A religious movement similar to bhakti

Answer: B — Swarājya was Shivaji's vision of a sovereign, independent kingdom encompassing political, economic, and cultural dimensions.

Q3. Which technique did Chhatrapati Shivaji employ to defeat Afzal Khan?

  • A. Open field battle with cavalry charge
  • B. Naval attack on his ships
  • C. One-on-one combat using wāgh nakh and guerrilla support from hidden soldiers ✓
  • D. Diplomatic negotiation and treaty

Answer: C — Shivaji killed Afzal Khan in close combat with a wāgh nakh at Pratapgad fort while soldiers hidden in mountains launched guerrilla attacks.

Q4.

  • A. Sant Kabir
  • B. Sant Dnyaneshwar ✓
  • C. Sant Ravidas
  • D. Sant Chaitanya

Answer: B — Sant Dnyaneshwar, along with saints like Namdev, Tukaram, and Ramdas, translated important texts into Marathi for common people.

Q5. Why did Chhatrapati Shivaji establish a full-time navy?

  • A. To copy the Mughal Empire's naval strategy
  • B. To control coastal regions and protect trade routes ✓
  • C. To show military superiority over European powers
  • D. To establish diplomatic relations with European countries

Answer: B — Shivaji established a navy to secure access to coastal resources and defend his expanding kingdom along India's west coast.

Q6. What was the significance of Chhatrapati Shivaji's coronation at Raigad in 1674?

  • A. It marked the beginning of his military campaigns
  • B. It ended the Maratha-Mughal wars permanently
  • C. It formally established the Maratha Empire with Vedic rites and a new era ✓
  • D. It granted him recognition from the Mughal emperor

Answer: C — The 1674 coronation at Raigad formally marked the beginning of the Maratha Empire with full Vedic rites and the establishment of Rājyābhiṣheka shaka era.

Q7. How does Shivaji's raid on Shaista Khan's camp compare to modern military tactics?

  • A. It was a full-scale invasion like modern warfare
  • B. It resembles a modern surgical strike targeting a specific objective with minimal collateral damage ✓
  • C. It was a diplomatic negotiation followed by armed conflict
  • D. It involved the use of gunpowder artillery similar to European armies

Answer: B — Shivaji's night raid with few soldiers specifically targeting Shaista Khan's camp and forcing his retreat resembles modern surgical strikes.

Q8. Which statement best explains why bhakti saints influenced Maratha political development?

  • A. Saints directly governed Maratha territories alongside rulers
  • B. Saints taught only religious rituals without social implications
  • C. Saints created a cultural foundation through devotional poetry and social organization, promoting political awareness ✓
  • D. Saints prevented Marathas from engaging in military activities

Answer: C — Bhakti saints like Ramdas promoted social organization and political awareness through devotional teachings in Marathi, creating a solid cultural foundation for Maratha unity.

Q9. What does the escape of Chhatrapati Shivaji from Agra reveal about his character?

  • A. He was weak and afraid of confrontation
  • B. He was a brilliant strategist who could devise creative solutions under difficult circumstances ✓
  • C. He lacked military training and could only use cunning
  • D. He was dishonest and unreliable as a ruler

Answer: B — The elaborate plan to hide in fruit baskets demonstrates Shivaji's strategic thinking and ability to find innovative solutions when direct resistance was impossible.

Q10. How did the sacking of Surat by Chhatrapati Shivaji demonstrate Maratha military capability?

  • A. It showed Marathas could only raid wealthy cities for money
  • B. It proved Marathas were stronger than European traders
  • C. It demonstrated Maratha military reach, wealth accumulation, and defiance of Mughal power, even reaching international attention ✓
  • D. It proved Marathas were pirates like European nations

Answer: C — The sacking of Surat twice, obtaining enormous treasure, and the raid being reported in London Gazette showed Maratha military strength and challenged Mughal prestige internationally.

Flashcards

What does 'Swarājya' mean in the context of Shivaji?

Swarājya means a sovereign, independent kingdom with political, economic, and cultural sovereignty.

Name the mother of Chhatrapati Shivaji who influenced his upbringing.

Jijabai was Shivaji's mother who, along with trusted officials, raised him at Pune and instilled values and education.

Which fort was Chhatrapati Shivaji coronated at in 1674?

Chhatrapati Shivaji was coronated at Raigad Fort with full Vedic rites in 1674.

What military tactic did Chhatrapati Shivaji use to defeat larger armies?

Guerrilla warfare uses small groups with speed, surprise, and terrain knowledge to defeat bigger armies.

Why did Chhatrapati Shivaji establish a navy?

To secure access to coastal resources and protect his expanding kingdom along India's west coast.

Which wealthy Mughal port city did Shivaji sack twice?

Surat, a wealthy port city in present-day Gujarat, was sacked by Shivaji to obtain treasure and challenge Mughal power.

How did Chhatrapati Shivaji escape house arrest at Agra?

Shivaji hid himself and his son Sambhaji in baskets of fruits and sweets to escape the Mughal court.

What was the dakṣhiṇa-digvijaya?

Dakṣhiṇa-digvijaya was Shivaji's conquest of the South, including parts of present-day Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Which saint had significant influence on Maratha cultural and political awareness?

Saints like Dnyaneshwar, Namdev, Tukaram, and Ramdas helped translate important texts into Marathi and promoted social organization.

What was the wāgh nakh and how was it used?

Wāgh nakh is a tiger-claw-shaped weapon that Shivaji used to kill Afzal Khan in close combat.

Important Board Questions

Who was Chhatrapati Shivaji? [1 mark]

Born 1630 in Bhonsle clan; founded Maratha Empire; coronated at Raigad 1674; visionary strategist.

What role did bhakti saints play in Maratha society? Give one example. [2 marks]

Saints like Ramdas and Tukaram translated texts into Marathi; promoted social organization and political awareness; created cultural foundation for Maratha unity.

Explain Chhatrapati Shivaji's vision of Swarājya. How did it differ from other rulers' ambitions? [3 marks]

Swarājya meant independent sovereign kingdom with political, economic, and cultural aspects. Unlike other rulers seeking mere territorial conquest or feudal arrangement, Shivaji envisioned complete self-rule and nation-building.

Describe Chhatrapati Shivaji's military strategies and their effectiveness. How did he manage to create a powerful empire despite facing stronger opponents like the Mughals? [5 marks]

Used guerrilla warfare (speed, surprise, terrain knowledge); established navy for coastal control; strategic fort consolidation; clever tactics like Afzal Khan meeting and Shaista Khan night raid; diplomatic maneuvering; captured Surat twice for wealth. Combined military innovation, geography, strategy, and cultural unity to overcome larger armies.

Assertion-Reason Questions for The Rise of the Marathas

Q1. Assertion (A):

The Maratha Navy established by Chhatrapati Shivaji was revolutionary for its time.

Reason (R):

The Bijapur Sultanate and Mughal Empire both maintained powerful permanent naval forces similar to the Maratha Navy.

Answer: C — A is true but R is false — The assertion is true—the chapter clearly states the Maratha Navy was revolutionary. However, the reason is false because the chapter explicitly states that the Bijapur Sultanate only had merchant ships (not a full-time naval force) and the Mughal Empire's naval use was very limited. The reason contradicts established facts.

Q2. Assertion (A):

Chhatrapati Shivaji used guerrilla warfare as his primary military strategy.

Reason (R):

Guerrilla warfare uses small groups of people with speed, surprise, and knowledge of terrain to defeat bigger armies, which allowed Shivaji to succeed against larger forces.

Answer: A — Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A — Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason correctly explains why guerrilla warfare was effective for Shivaji. The chapter shows his success against Afzal Khan and Shaista Khan using this tactic, demonstrating the validity of this strategy against larger, conventional armies.

Q3. Assertion (A):

The bhakti saints of Maharashtra played a role in creating a cultural foundation for Maratha political organization.

Reason (R):

The bhakti saints directly led military campaigns alongside Chhatrapati Shivaji and helped him conquer territories.

Answer: C — A is true but R is false — The assertion is true—the chapter states that the cultural foundation created by bhakti saints 'later helped the Marathas to organise themselves into a political power.' However, the reason is false because the chapter does not mention saints directly participating in military campaigns. Their contribution was cultural and social, not military.

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Case-Based Questions (CBQ) for The Rise of the Marathas

Case Study:

In 1666, Chhatrapati Shivaji was imprisoned at Agra by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Despite being held captive in a high-security fortress, Shivaji managed to escape by hiding in a large basket of sweets that was regularly delivered to the fort. This escape demonstrated his resourcefulness and strategic thinking. Upon his release, Shivaji continued to strengthen his kingdom and expand Maratha territories. This incident became legendary and showed that even the mighty Mughals could not contain the Maratha leader's determination and cunning.

Q1. What does Shivaji's escape from Agra reveal about his personality and leadership qualities?

  • A. He was primarily interested in luxury goods like sweets
  • B. He demonstrated resourcefulness, strategic thinking, and determination despite being in enemy captivity ✓
  • C. He had inside support from Mughal officers who helped him escape
  • D. He was afraid of the Mughal Emperor and fled without a plan

Answer: B

Q2. Why is this incident considered significant in Maratha history?

  • A. It showed that the Mughals were weak and could be easily defeated
  • B. It demonstrated that even the mighty Mughals could not contain Shivaji's determination and cunning ✓
  • C. It marked the beginning of Shivaji's military expansion
  • D. It resulted in permanent peace between Marathas and Mughals

Answer: B

Q3. How did Shivaji respond to his imprisonment by continuing his activities?

  • A. He abandoned his ambitions and lived peacefully
  • B. He negotiated permanent terms with the Mughal Emperor
  • C. He strengthened his kingdom and expanded Maratha territories after his release ✓
  • D. He focused only on building a stronger navy

Answer: C

Q4. What method did Shivaji use to escape from the Agra fortress?

  • A. He hid in a large basket of sweets that was regularly delivered to the fort ✓
  • B. He fought with guards and broke through the prison walls
  • C. He bribed the prison guards with gold and jewels
  • D. He dug a tunnel under the fortress walls

Answer: A

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