Maratha Empire

The Ashtapradhan was an administrative council of eight ministers instituted by Shivaji Maharaj to assist in the governance of the Maratha Empire.

The Treaty of Salbai, signed in 1782 between the Marathas and the British East India Company, ended the First Anglo-Maratha War, maintaining peace for twenty years.

Balaji Baji Rao, also known as Nana Saheb, was the Peshwa of the Maratha Empire during the catastrophic Third Battle of Panipat against Ahmad Shah Abdali.

Shivaji Maharaj captured the Torna fort in 1646 at the age of 16, which is widely considered his first major military conquest.

Chauth was a tax or tribute imposed by the Marathas, amounting to one-fourth (1/4) of the revenue or produce, collected to ensure protection from Maratha raids.

Sardeshmukhi was an additional levy of 10% on top of the Chauth, claimed by the Maratha ruler as the hereditary Sardeshmukh (chief headman) of the region.

Baji Rao I defeated the Nizam-ul-Mulk in the Battle of Palkhed (1728) through brilliant tactical maneuvers, showcasing his military genius.

Sambhaji, the eldest son of Shivaji Maharaj, succeeded his father and ruled as the second Chhatrapati from 1680 to 1689.

The Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817–1818) ended in the defeat of the Peshwa Baji Rao II, leading to the annexation of the Maratha Empire by the British.

The Treaty of Bassein was signed in 1802 between the British and Baji Rao II, effectively reducing the Maratha power to a subsidiary status.

Mahadji Shinde was instrumental in training his forces with European techniques and drills, creating a powerful infantry force in the late 18th century.

Sadashivrao Bhau, a cousin of the Peshwa, led the Maratha armies to a resounding victory over the Nizam of Hyderabad at the Battle of Udgir.

Shivaji Maharaj built his capital at Raigad, where he was formally crowned the Chhatrapati in 1674.

Tarabai, the widow of Rajaram, took control of the Maratha state and led a spirited resistance against the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb for several years.

The Third Battle of Panipat (1761) is considered a turning point that crippled the Maratha Empire's expansion, similar in impact to Waterloo for Napoleon.

The Peshwa was the title given to the Prime Minister who served the Chhatrapati; eventually, the Peshwas became the de facto rulers of the Maratha state.

Balaji Vishwanath was appointed as the first Peshwa by Shahu I in 1713, effectively starting the era of Peshwa dominance.

The Angre family, most notably Kanhoji Angre, served as the chief admirals of the Maratha Navy and defended the Konkan coast against foreign powers.

The Gaekwad dynasty was a prominent Maratha clan that established their rule in Baroda (Vadodara) in present-day Gujarat.

Shivaji Maharaj is credited with establishing the foundations of the Maratha Empire and creating a resilient administrative system.

Shivaji Maharaj was born at the Shivneri fort, located near Junnar in the Pune district.

The Peshwa was the Prime Minister in the Ashtapradhan, the council of eight ministers formed by Shivaji Maharaj.

The Battle of Pratapgad (1659) is famous for Shivaji's tactical victory over the Bijapuri general Afzal Khan.

Netaji Palkar was one of the most prominent early Senapatis serving under Shivaji Maharaj.

Sardeshmukhi was a 10% levy collected by the Marathas, claimed as a hereditary right of the Deshmukh.

The Treaty of Purandar was signed between Shivaji and Raja Jai Singh, who represented the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.

Shivaji Maharaj was crowned Chhatrapati on June 6, 1674, at the Raigad Fort.

Sambhaji Maharaj ascended the throne in 1680 after the passing of his father, Shivaji Maharaj.

Bajirao I (Peshwa from 1720–1740) is famous for his expansionist policies, famously stating, 'Let us strike at the trunk of the withered tree, the branches will fall themselves'.

Bajirao I defeated the Nizam-ul-Mulk at the Battle of Bhopal, securing Maratha influence in the region.

The Treaty of Sangola (1750) formalized the authority of the Peshwa as the de facto head of the Maratha Empire.

Ahmad Shah Abdali led the Afghan forces to victory over the Maratha confederacy in 1761.

Madhavrao I, the son of Balaji Baji Rao, is noted for effectively recovering Maratha power after the 1761 crisis.

The Treaty of Salbai ended the First Anglo-Maratha War and provided 20 years of relative peace between the two powers.

Nana Phadnavis, the minister to the Peshwas, was renowned for his astute political acumen and diplomacy.

The Scindia family established their base in Gwalior and became one of the most powerful Maratha confederate houses.

Mahadji Shinde was the primary figure behind the Maratha resurgence in Delhi and North India in the late 18th century.

The Holkar family governed the region around Indore in present-day Madhya Pradesh.

Bajirao II was the final Peshwa; his defeat in the Third Anglo-Maratha War led to the British annexation of Maratha territories.

The Sumant (also known as Dabir) was the minister responsible for foreign affairs and the royal correspondence.

The Siddis of Janjira were skilled naval commanders who held the island fortress despite repeated attempts by Shivaji Maharaj and his successors to capture it.

Baji Rao I was a brilliant military strategist who advocated the 'Hindu Pad Padshahi' and pushed the Maratha borders deep into Northern India.

The Nyayadhish was the chief justice, responsible for presiding over the highest courts of justice in the empire.

The Treaty of Purandar (1776) was signed between the Calcutta Council and the Poona ministry, but it led to further disagreements, leading to the First Anglo-Maratha War.

Lands directly under the administration and control of the Maratha ruler were known as Swarajya territories.

Parsoji Bhonsle was the founder of the Nagpur branch of the Bhonsle dynasty, receiving a sanad from Shahu I.

The Battle of Ashta (1818) was the decisive engagement where the Peshwa's forces were finally defeated, leading to his eventual surrender.

Shivaji claimed the right to Sardeshmukhi (a 10% levy) on the basis that he was the rightful hereditary Sardeshmukh of the Deccan, opposing the Mughal authority.

Ramchandra Pant Amatya served as the Finance Minister and authored the 'Adnyapatra', a famous manual on statecraft.