Monday, January 26, 2015

ORIGIN OF MARATHA EMPIRE

ORIGIN OF MARATHA EMPIRE
Introduction
The Maratha Empire was a powerful Hindu Empire of Indian History. In 1674 AD, Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj founded the Maratha Empire with Raigad its capital. The Maratha Empire ruled almost hundred and fifty years. Shivaji formed a large army and defended his territory from the mighty Mughal Empire. After the death of Shivaji Maharaj, his successors successfully protected the dignity of Maratha Empire.
Rulers of Maratha Empire
Maratha Empire gifted many capable rulers to rule the dynasty. Some of the rulers of Maratha Empire were:
Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is known as the "father of the Maratha Nation" . He was the most powerful ruler of Maratha Empire and founder of the Maratha Dynasty in 1674 AD. From the very early age he showed his capability. In 1645 AD, at the age of 16, Shivaji took the control of Torna Fort from Bijapuri commander Inayat Khan. In 1647 AD he captured two more forts in Pune and established the complete control on Pune. In 1659, he defeated Adilshahi general Afzal Khan in the Battle of Pratapgarh. In 1664, Shivaji attackedSurat, the important trading city of Mughal and gained a vast treasury. In 1665 AD, Shivaji lost to Aurangzeb's General Jai Singh and signed the treaty of Purander and lost many of his forts to Mughals. In 1666, Shivaji was invited to the court of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb and he was arrested there. Shivaji escaped from Mughal's confinement very smartly. In 1674 AD, he adopted the title of "Chhatrapati" and founded the powerful Maratha Empire. Shivaji ruled the Marathat Empire until his death on 2ndApril 1680.
Chhatrapati Sambhaji (1680-1689)
Chhatrapati Sambhaji, the eldest son of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his first queen Saibai, succeeded his father in 1680 AD and ascended to the throne of Maratha Empire. In 1680AD, Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb advanced his large army of about half a million and defeated the Adilshahi dynasty of Bijapur and Qutubshahi dynasty of Golconda. He proceeded with a large army accompanied by the sultanates of Bijapur and Golconda to attack the Maratha Empire in 1681 AD. Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj led the brave Maratha force against the huge Mughal army. He heroically faced the mighty army of Mughals and protected his territory from Mughals. Sambhaji didn't allow Aurangzeb to conquer the Maratha Empire. Sambhaji Maharaj started a campaign against Portuguese in Goa and occupied multiple forts.
In 1689, Sambhaji was finalizing a plan with few of his close men to ousted Aurangzeb. But his brother-in-law conspired and informed Aurangzeb's commander Mukarrab Khan about Sambhaji and his plan. Mukarrab Khan attacked Sambhaji and captured him with his close men. On 11thMarch 1689 AD, Sambhaji was killed by the Mughals and ended glorious chapter of Mughal Empire.
Chhatrapati Rajaram (1689-1700)
In 1689, after the death of Sambhaj, his half brother Rajaram, son of Chhatrapati Shivaji and his second queen Soyarabai, ascended to the throne of Maratha Empire. After ruling the empire for a short period, Mughal attacked the Maratha Empire and occupied the capital Raigad. Chhatrapati Rajaram escaped toVishalgad fort and then went to Jinji. He rearranged the Maratha army and continued his campaign against Mughal from his new location. He seized many forts from Mughals. Rajaram died in 1700 at Sinhagad. After his death, his widow Maharani Tarabai ruled the Maratha Empire in the name of her son Shivaji II.
Chhatrapati Shahu (1707-1749)
Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj was the grandson of Shivaji Maharaj and son of Sambhaji. In 1689, he was imprisoned by the Mughals when he was only 7 years. After the death of Aurangzeb, in 1707 AD, he was released from the captivity. After coming out of custody he claimed the throne of Mughal Empire from Tarabai and ascended to the throne of Maratha Empire. He introduced the concept of appointing Peshwas as the prime ministers of the Maratha Empire. Shahuji expanded the Maratha Empire in all directions. He appointed Scindia, Holkar and Pawar in the north, in the east Bhonsle look after the territory, in the west Dabhades and Gaikwad were appointed and in the south responsibility was given to Fateh-Singh Bhosale.
Rajaram II & Peshwas
After the death of Shahuji in 1749 AD, his adopted son, Rajaram II succeeded him. He was an incapable ruler. During his reign the Maratha empirewas primarily controlled by the Peshwas and he headed the empire as a ornamental post. In 1761, the Maratha army lost the third Battle of Panipat to Afghan commanderAhmad Shah Durrani. Madhavrao Peshwa again restored the Maratha empire to some extent. In an attempt to revive the large empire, semi-autonomy was provided to the territory leaders. It gave the autonomous power to theGaekwads of Baroda, the Holkars of Indore and Malwa, the Shindes of Gwalior and Ujjain, Bhonsales of Nagpur. After the defeat in the second and third Anglo-Maratha Wars, the Maratha Empire ceded to exist.

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