Teachers recommend using Class 8 SST Notes and Class 8 SST Ch 3 The Rise of the Marathas Notes for quick revision before tests.
Class 8 SST Chapter 3 The Rise of the Marathas Notes
Class 8 The Rise of the Marathas Notes
Class 8 SST Chapter 3 Notes
→ Who Were the Marathas?
The Marathas of the Deccan: The Marathas were a group of people native to the Deccan Plateau, primarily concentrated in present-day Maharashtra. Over time, the Marathas evolved from local chieftains into a powerful political and cultural force that reshaped Indian history.
The Yadava Dynasty and the Khilji Conquest: During the 13th century, Maharashtra was ruled by the Yadava dynasty, with Devagiri (modern Daulatabad) as its capital. In the early 14th century, the Khilji Sultans of Delhi overthrew the Yadavas and brought the region under northern control.
The Bhakti Movement: Several saints such as Dnyaneshwar, Namdev, Tukaram and Ramdas emerged as important figures. They adapted key Sanskrit scriptures like the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita into Marathi, making complex philosophical ideas accessible to the common people.
Early Attempts at Sovereignty: By the 17th century, several Maratha chiefs attempted to assert independence, but met with limited success. True political consolidation was achieved under Shivaji Maharaj, who united the Marathas under his vision of Swarājya or self-rule.
→ Foundation of Maratha Power and the Rise of Shivaji
Shivaji’s Early Life: In 1630, Shivaji was born into the Bhonsle clan to Shahji and Jijabai. Shahji served the Deccan sultanates and was often away on military assignments. Shivaji grew up in the family jāgīr at Pune under the guidance of his mother Jijabai.
Beginning of Swarajya: The Pune region suffered from continuous conflict among the Deccan sultans, causing great hardship for ordinary people. At the age of sixteen, Shivaji began his first independent military campaign, capturing neglected forts and strengthening their defences.
Defeat of Afzal Khan: In 1659, Afzal Khan, a general of the Bijapur Sultanate, tried to capture Shivaji. But Shivaji killed him at Pratapgad using the wagh nakh, and his hidden troops then defeated Afzal Khan’s army through guerrilla tactics.
Guerrilla Warfare: Shivaji used guerrilla warfare, a strategy that relied on small, fast-moving groups that attacked suddenly and disappeared into the mountains. The elements of speed, surprise and local knowledge of the Western Ghats helped the Marathas defeat much larger armies.
Founding of the Maratha Navy: As his kingdom expanded to India’s western coast, Shivaji realised the need to build a navy, a truly revolutionary step at the time. Neither the Bijapur Sultanate nor the Mughal Empire maintained a permanent naval force.
Clash with the Mughals: The Mughal noble Shaista Khan invaded Shivaji’s territories with a large army.
Sack of Surat: Shivaji attacked the wealthy Mughal port city of Surat, seizing great treasure but sparing religious places and the house of the charitable Mohandas Parekh.
Treaty of Purandar and Escape from Agra: Emperor Aurangzeb sent the Rajput general Jai Singh against Shivaji. After a defeat at Purandar Fort, Shivaji entered into a treaty with Jai Singh. Later, he visited Aurangzeb’s court at Agra, was put under house arrest, and escaped with Sambhaji by hiding in fruit baskets.
Coronation at Raigad: In 1674, Shivaji’s coronation took place at Raigad as “Shri Raja Shiva Chhatrapati”, beginning a new royal era, the Rajyabhisheka Shaka.
Dakshina Digvijaya: After his coronation, Shivaji led a southern campaign, extending Maratha influence into parts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and forbidding the Dutch from trading Indian slaves.
Shivaji’s Legacy: Shivaji died of fever at the age of fifty. His resistance against the Mughals inspired leaders like Chhatrasal, who established an independent kingdom in Bundelkhand, and the famous Hindi poet Bhushan, who composed poems in his praise.
→ The Marathas After Shivaji
Sambhaji and Mughal Aggression: After Shivaji’s death, his elder son Sambhaji became Chhatrapati. Aurangzeb invaded the Deccan region, conquered both the Bijapur and Golconda Sultanates, and eventually captured and executed Sambhaji. The Mughal army also took Raigad Fort, the Maratha capital.
Rajaram and Southward Shift: After Sambhaji’s death, his younger brother Rajaram became Chhatrapati and moved south to Gingee Fort in present-day Tamil Nadu. The Marathas continued to resist the Mughals strongly.
Tarabai’s Leadership: Queen Tarabai (Rajaram’s wife) helped preserve Maratha independence and expand Maratha territories while the Mughal Empire weakened. She was the architect of the first major northward expansion of Maratha power beyond the Deccan.
Rise of the Peshwas: Over time, Maratha rule became more decentralised. The Peshwas (a Persian term meaning Prime Minister) grew more powerful. Peshwa Bajirao I and his son Nanasaheb played a crucial role in transforming the Marathas into a pan-Indian power.
Pan-Indian Expansion: By the mid-18th century, Maratha influence stretched far into the north. They briefly controlled Lahore, Attock and even Peshawar (now in Pakistan). However, regional chiefs gaining autonomy also led to moments of indiscipline, as seen during the Marathas’ ten-year campaign in Bengal, where severe hardship was inflicted upon common people.
Third Battle of Panipat (1761): Despite suffering a defeat at Panipat, the Marathas recovered quickly under Peshwa Madhavrao I. Later, under Mahadji Shinde, they recaptured Delhi in 1771 and held it for about three decades until the British takeover.
Nana Phadnavis and the Anti-British Alliance: Nana Phadnavis, a powerful statesman under the Peshwas, organised India’s first pan-Indian alliance against the British, uniting old rivals such as Hyder Ali of Mysore and the Nizam of Hyderabad against foreign control.
Anglo-Maratha Wars and Decline: The Marathas and the British fought three Anglo-Maratha Wars (1775-1818). Internal divisions among Maratha chiefs and the superior organisation and technology of the British ultimately led to the decline of Maratha power.
→ Maratha Administration
Civil Administration: Shivaji set up a strong centralised system of government. He ended the practice of hereditary posts, paid every official a fixed salary, and regularly transferred officials to prevent misuse of power.
Ashta Pradhana Mandala: Shivaji was assisted by the Ashta Pradhana, a council of eight ministers who helped in governance and administration.
Revenue System: The Marathas collected two main taxes from regions not directly under their control: chauth (25% of revenue) and sardeshmukhi (an additional 10%). In return, they offered protection to these provinces.
Coinage: The Marathas often used the Mughal style of coinage but added their own cultural symbols and inscriptions.
Military Administration: The Maratha army was divided into three branches: infantry, cavalry and navy. The cavalry had two kinds of soldiers: bargirs (whose horses and weapons were state-provided) and shiledars (who supplied their own).
Forts as the Backbone of Power: Forts were the core of the Maratha state. Shivaji maintained a vast network of forts to control trade routes, protect territories and shelter troops during guerrilla warfare.
Maritime Supremacy: In the 18th century, the Maratha navy reached its peak under Kanhoji Angre, who won several naval battles through clever tactics and use of coastline geography. The Marathas challenged the European cartaz system (naval trade passes) and started demanding passes from the Europeans.
Judicial System: Justice was mainly delivered through the panchayat, while the kotwal maintained law and order in towns.
Trade Networks: Shivaji promoted trade and maritime commerce, sending ships to ports such as Mocha, Muscat and Malacca and improving roads and transport.
→ Mighty Maratha Women
Ahilyabai Holkar: Ahilyabai Holkar, from the Holkar dynasty of Indore, was one of the most respected rulers of 18th-century India. After losing her husband and son, she governed the state with wisdom and justice for over thirty years. She built and restored hundreds of temples, ghats, wells and roads across the country.
Tarabai: Tarabai led the Marathas after her husband Rajaram’s death. She sent Maratha forces northward, leading the empire’s first major expansion beyond the Deccan. Her strategic brilliance helped preserve Maratha independence during the Mughal attacks.
→ Cultural Revival
Sanskrit Seal and Linguistic Pride: Shivaji used a Sanskrit inscription on his royal seal and promoted Marathi and Sanskrit in administration through the Rajya-Vyavahara-Kosha.
Cultural Symbols and Patronage: Shivaji’s saffron flag became a unifying symbol for the Marathas. He rebuilt damaged temples, supported literature in Marathi and Sanskrit, and encouraged traditional arts.
The Modi Script: The Modi script, a cursive form of Devanagari, was the main writing style used by the Marathas for official letters and records.
Bhonsles of Nagpur: Shivaji’s ideals continued to inspire later Maratha rulers. The Bhonsles of Nagpur promoted local culture and helped revive the worship of Lord Jagannath at Puri in Odisha.
Thanjavur Marathas: Ekoji, Shivaji’s half-brother, established Maratha rule in Thanjavur, where rulers supported arts and created a blend of Marathi, Tamil and Telugu traditions.
Serfoji II of Thanjavur: Serfoji II promoted education, arts and medicine. Under his reign, Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam evolved into the classical forms recognised today. He established the Dhanwantari Mahal, a medical centre combining Indian and Western medicine, and set up one of India’s first printing presses.
→ The Maratha Legacy
Lasting Impact: The Maratha rule challenged Mughal dominance and established the largest Indian empire before the British took over.
They set up a new way of governing with an efficient administration without religious discrimination. Their brave fight against oppressive rule and foreign power, driven by the fiery ideal of Swaräjya, inspired many Indians to believe they could govern themselves.
→ Origins
- Native to Deccan Plateau (Maharashtra)
- Marathi language with literary history from 12th century
- Yadava dynasty ruled before Khilji conquest
- Bhakti saints (Dnyaneshwar, Namdev, Tukaram, Ramdas) built cultural foundation
→ Rise of Shivaji
- Born 1630 in Bhonsle clan to Shahji and Jijabai
- Established Swarājya (self-rule) from age 16
- Guerrilla warfare using Western Ghats terrain
- Defeated Afzal Khan at Pratapgad (1659)
- Founded Maratha Navy (1657)
- Raided Surat, escaped from Agra
- Coronationat Raigad (1674) as Chhatrapati
- Dakshina Digvijaya (southern campaign)
→ Marathas after Shivaji
- Sambhaji executed by Aurangzeb
- Rajaram shifted to Gingee Fort
- Tarabai’s brilliant leadership
- Rise of Peshwas (Bajirao I, Nanasaheb)
- Pan-Indian expansion (controlled Lahore, Attock, Peshawar)
- Third Battle of Panipat (1761) – defeat but quick recovery
- Mahadji Shinde recaptured Delhi (1771)
- Nana Phadnavis formed anti-British alliance
- Three Anglo-Maratha Wars (1775-1818)
→ Administration
- Centralised governance, no hereditary posts, fixed salaries
- Ashta Pradhana Mandala (Council of Eight Ministers)
- Revenue: chauth (25%) and sardeshmukhi (10%)
- Military: infantry, cavalry (bargirs and shiledars), navy
- Forts as backbone of power
- Kanhoji Angre and maritime supremacy
- Judicial system using local panchayats
- Trade networks (Mocha, Muscat, Malacca)
→ Mighty Maratha Women
- Ahilyabai Holkar: ruled 30 years, rebuilt Kashi Vishwanath and Somnath temples
- Tarabai: warrior queen, architect of northward expansion
→ Legacy
- Largest Indian empire before the British
- Efficient administration and cultural revival
- Vision of Swarājya inspired later ideas of self-rule
→ Cultural Revival
- Sanskrit seal inscription, saffron flag
- Rājya-Vyavahāra-Koşha replacing Persian terms
- Modi script for official correspondence
- Bhonsles of Nagpur revived Jagannath worship at Puri
- Thanjavur Marathas (Serfoji II): Carnatic music, Bharatanatyam, Dhanwantari Mahal
The Rise of the Marathas Class 8 Short Notes Summary
→ 1630: Birth of Shivaji Maharaj in the Bhonsle clan.
→ 1646: Beginning of Shivaji’s independent rule.
→ 1657: Founding of the Maratha Navy.
→ 1659: Defeat of Afzal Khan at Pratapgad Fort.
→ 1664: First sack of Surat by Shivaji.
→ 1665: Four Maratha ships sailed to Muscat, demonstrating naval strength.
→ 1666: Shivaji’s imprisonment at and escape from Agra.
→ 1674: Coronation of Shivaji as Chhatrapati at Raigad Fort.
→ 1677: Dakshina Digvijaya (Conquest of the South).
→ 1680: Death of Shivaji Maharaj.
→ 1682-1707: Mughal-Maratha Wars under Aurangzeb.
→ 1689: Execution of Sambhaji by Aurangzeb.
→ 1720s-1760s: Expansion under Peshwa Bajirao I and Nanasaheb.
→ 1754: Beginning of Maratha control over Delhi.
→ 1761: Third Battle of Panipat (Maratha defeat by the Afghans).
→ 1771: Mahadji Shinde recaptured Delhi for the Marathas.
→ 1775-1818: Three Anglo-Maratha Wars.
→ 1818: End of Maratha power after the Third Anglo-Maratha War.
→ Swarajya: Self-rule based on justice, welfare and independence, the core ideal of Shivaji’s kingdom.
→ Guerrilla warfare: A method of fighting using small, fast-moving groups that attack suddenly and retreat using knowledge of local terrain.
→ Wagh nakh: “Tiger’s claw,” a small hidden weapon used by Shivaji to kill Afzal Khan.
→ Ashta Pradhana Mandala: Council of Eight Ministers formed by Shivaji to assist in governance.
→ Chauth: A tax of 25 % of revenue collected from provinces not directly under Maratha control, in exchange for protection.
→ Sardeshmukhi: An additional 10% tax levied on top of chauth.
→ Peshwa: A Persian term meaning Prime Minister, the most powerful official in the later Maratha Empire.
→ Bargirs: Cavalry soldiers whose horses and weapons were provided by the state.
→ Shiledars: Cavalry soldiers who supplied their own horses and equipment.
→ Cartaz: A Portuguese naval trade pass that Indian traders were forced to purchase; ships without such passes could be confiscated.
→ Rajyabhisheka Shaka: The royal era introduced by Shivaji after his coronation in 1674.
→ Rajya-Vyavahära-Koşha: A book commissioned by Shivaji to replace Persian words in administration with Marathi and Sanskrit terms.
→ Modi script: A cursive form of Devanagari used by the Marathas for official correspondence.
→ Dakshina Digvijaya: “Conquest of the South”, Shivaji’s southern campaign after his coronation.
→ Adnyapatra: “The Royal Edict,” a text by Ramachandrapant Amatya describing the importance of forts and governance.