The Rise of the Marathas Class 8 Notes Social Science Chapter 3

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Class 8 The Rise of the Marathas Notes

Class 8 SST Chapter 3 The Rise of the Marathas Notes

Class 8 SST Chapter 3 Notes – The Rise of the Marathas Notes Class 8

→ Shivaji founded the Maratha Empire with the goal of Swarajya (self-rule), opposing Mughal oppression.

→ He used guerrilla warfare, hill forts, and a well-organized army to protect his territory and people.

→ Shivaji respected all religions, promoted justice, and instructed his officials not to harm civilians or misuse power.

→ He encouraged local culture by promoting Marathi and Sanskrit, reducing Persian influence in administration.

→ Forts were the core of the Maratha state, offering military advantage in hilly terrain and resisting larger enemies.

→ The Maratha navy, under Kanhoji Angre, defended the western coastline and trade routes against European powers.

→ After Shivaji’s death, his widow Tarabai led strong resistance against Aurangzeb and began Maratha expansion northward.

→ Peshwa Bajirao I expanded the Maratha Empire across central and northern India, defeating Mughals and regional powers.

→ The Marathas suffered a major loss in the Third Battle of Panipat (1761) against the Afghans, but later regained strength.

→ Mahadji Shinde played a key role in reviving Maratha power through military skill and diplomacy, n Tarabai was a fearless Maratha Warrior queen who ruled in the early 18th century.

→ Ahilyabai Holkar ruled wisely for 30 years, rebuilding temples like Kashi Vishwanath and promoting public welfare.

→ Serfoji II of Thanjavur supported literature, medicine, printing, and Carnatic music, showing cultural openness.

→ Maratha administration included a system of local governance through panchayats, with appeals allowed to higher officials.

→ Law and order were maintained by city officials like the kotwal. Justice was delivered with moderation and fairness.

→ Marathas built roads, bridges, and supported trade, with Shivaji and his officers even engaging in maritime trade.

→ Their seal and language reforms reflected a sense of Indian identity, inspiring pride in local traditions and governance.

→ The Marathas revived Hindu traditions, rebuilt temples, and respected diversity while upholding their own beliefs,

→ The Maratha legacy included bravery, efficient governance, cultural revival, and resistance to foreign domination,

→ Their challenge to the Mughals helped shift power in India, and they became the main Indian force before the British.

→ Three Anglo-Maratha Wars were fought between 1775 and 1818.

→ Maratha’s brave fight against oppressive rule and foreign power was driven by the ideal of Swarajya.

→ The British took control of India mainly from the Marathas after defeating them in several wars.

→ Swarajya : Self-rule; Shivaji’s vision of an independent Maratha kingdom.

→ Wagh Nakh : “Tiger claws,” a weapon used by Shivaji to kill Afzal Khan.

→ Ashta Pradhana : Council of eight ministers under Shivaji’s administration.

→ Bargirs : State-funded cavalry soldiers in the Maratha army.

→ Shiledars : Self-equipped cavalry soldiers in the Maratha army.

→ Cartaz : Portuguese trade passports challenged by the Maratha Navy.

→ Guerrilla Warfare : Hit-and-run tactics used by Shivaji against larger armies.

→ Peshwa : Prime minister; later de facto rulers of the Maratha Confederacy

→ Modi Script : Cursive Marathi script used for official documents.

→ Dakshina Digvijaya : Shivaji’s southern conquest campaign (1677).

→ Chhatrapati : Sovereign title adopted by Shivaji and his successors.

→ Agyapatra : Shivaji’s royal edict on governance and ethics.

→ Rajvabhisheka Shaka : Era started after Shivaji’s coronation.

→ Maratha : Decentralized Maratha power structure post-Shivaji.

→ Dhanwantari Mahal : Medical center established by Serfoji II.

→ 1630 : Birth of Shivaji in the Bhonsle clan.

→ 1646 : Shivaji begins his military campaigns at age 16.

→ 1657 : Establishment of the Maratha Navy.

→ 1660s : Shivaji kills Afzal Khan at Pratapgad.

→ 1663 : Shivaji raids Shaista Khan’s camp in Pune (night attack).

→ 1664 & later : Sack of Surat (twice), humiliating the Mughals.

→ 1665 : Treaty of Purandar signed with Raja Jai Singh of the Mughals.

→ 1666 : Shivaji visits Aurangzeb’s court in Agra, gets imprisoned, and later escapes in fruit baskets.

→ 1674 : Shivaji’s coronation at Raigad; titled Chhatrapati; begins Rajyabhishek Shaka era.

→ 1677 : Launches the Dakshina Digvijaya (Southern conquest).

→ 1680 : Death of Shivaji at age 50.

→ 1681 : Sambhaji becomes Chhatrapati.

→ 1689 : Sambhaji captured and executed by Aurangzeb.

→ 1682-1707 : Continuous Mughal-Maratha wars.

→ Late 1600s : Rajaram becomes Chhatrapati; flees to Gingee

→ 1700s : Marathas defend forts; Tarabai leads resistance

→ Early 1700s : Structural decentralization begins; rise of Peshwas

→ 1720 – 1740 : Peshwa Bajirao I expands Maratha influence.

→ 1740s – 1760s : Peshwa Nanasaheb continues pan-India expansion.

→ 1754 : Marathas begin controlling Delhi.

→ 1761 : Maratha defeat at Third Battle of Panipat.

→ 1771 : Mahadji Shinde recaptures Delhi.

→ 1775-1782 : First Anglo-Maratha War – Maratha victory.

→ 1775-1782 a 1761 : First Anglo-Maratha War – Maratha victory.

→ 1803-1805 : Third Battle of Panipat – major Maratha defeat.

→ 1817-1818 : Second Anglo-Maratha War – British gain ground Third Anglo-Maratha War – End of Maratha power.

The Rise of the Marathas Class 8 Notes

This chapter describes about how the Marathas became a powerful group in Indian history. It also shows how they protected their land and culture from foreign traders like the Portuguese and the British.

The Marathas: Guardians of the Deccan

• The Marathas were a group of people from the Deccan Plateau, which is now present-day Maharashtra.
• They spoke Marathi, a rich and vibrant language with a long literary history.

Yadava Dynasty and Early Rule

• In the 13th century, most of Maharashtra was ruled by the Yadava dynasty. Their capital was Devagiri, which is today known as Daulatabad.
• In the early 14th century, the Yadavas were defeated by the Khilji rulers from Delhi. Even after these political changes, Maharashtra’s culture continue to flourish.

Bhakti Movement: A Spiritual Awakening

• From the 7th to the 17th century, saints across India followed the Bhakti path (the path of devotion).
• These saints came from all sections of society and composed songs and poems in local languages. This helped their message reach ordinary people easily.
• Famous saints like Dnyaneshwar, Namdev, Tukaram, and Ramdas became very popular in Maharashtra.
• They translated important texts such as the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita into Marathi.
• Their teachings gave Maharashtra a strong cultural and spiritual foundation.

Beginning of Maratha Unity

• In the 17th century, some Maratha leaders tried to become independent, but they failed.
• When Shivaji came into power, he united the Marathas, and laid the foundation of a strong and independent Maratha kingdom.

Foundation of Maratha Power and the Rise of Shivaji

Birth and Early Life of Shivaji

• Shivaji was born in 1630 in the Bhonsle clan to Shahji and Jijabai. His father, Shahji, served the Deccan Sultans and was often away from the family.
• Shivaji was raised in Pune by his mother Jijabai and some trusted officials. He was given good values and a strong education.
• During this time, the Pune region suffered greatly due to continuous battles between the Deccan sultans, which caused great hardship for the local people.
• At the young age of 16, Shivaji began his military campaigns. He first captured unguarded forts around Pune and strengthened their defences.
• His vision of Swarajya (self-rule) grew stronger over time and included political, economic and cultural goals.

Expansion and.Creation of a Navy

• As Shivaji’s kingdom grew, it expanded to the Western coast of India.
• To control the coastal trade and protect sea routes, Shivaji decided to build his own navy.
• The Bijapur Sultanate had merchant ships but no strong navy. The Mughal navy was also weak and poorly organised. Shivaji saw this as an opportunity and created the Maratha navy.
• Shivaji’s navy became famous for its bravery. His ships protected the coastline, stopped enemy ships, and controlled sea trade.
• This was one of India’s earliest strong naval forces.
• Shivaji also used guerrilla warfare, a smart war strategy. It used small groups, fast attacks, and deep knowledge of local land. This helped him fight with larger and stronger armies successfully.

The Defeat of Afzal Khan

• The Bijapur Sultanate sent a powerful general, Afzal Khan, to capture Shivaji. Shivaji agreed to meet him near Pratapgad Fort.
• During the meeting, Shivaji killed Afzal Khan, and his soldiers attacked and defeated Afzal Khan’s army using guerrilla tactics.

Shivaji Raids Shaista Khan

• Shaista Khan, a Mughal general, stayed in Maharashtra for three years to defeat Shivaji. One night, Shivaji and a small team secretly entered his camp and launched a surprise attack.
• Shaista Khan escaped, but in a fight he lost his few fingers. After that, he left Maharashtra quickly. This attack is often compared to a modern-day surgical strike1.

Shivaji’s Attack on Surat

• Surat was a rich port city under Mughal control. To take revenge for the Mughal attacks that had continued for three years, Shivaji attacked Surat. There, he collected huge amount of treasure, worth nearly one crore rupees.
• Even though it was an attack, Shivaji did not damage any religious places. He even spared the house of
• Mohandas Parekh, a generous and kind-hearted man.
• Shivaji attacked Surat again after a few years.
• The news of this raid reached Europe. The London Gazette, a British newspaper, reported how Shivaji had demanded money from European traders and threatened to destroy the city if they refused.
• The attack hurt the pride of the Mughal Empire. Mughal emperor Aurangzeb was furious and sent a strong army. He chose Raja Jai Singh, a brave Rajput general, to lead the campaign.

Treaty of Purandar

• Shivaji was defeated at Purandar Fort. He signed the Treaty of Purandar, where
• He had to give up some territory.
• His son Sambhaji was sent to serve in the Mughal court.

Shivaji’s Escape from Aurangzeb’s Court

• Raja Jai Singh convinced Shivaji to visit Emperor Aurangzeb’s court in Agra.
• There, Aurangzeb insulted him by making him stand before a general he had earlier defeated.
• Feeling deeply insulted, Shivaji walked out of the court in anger. Aurangzeb was furious and put Shivaji under house arrest. Guards were placed outside to stop him from escaping.
• Shivaji devised a strategy to escape from Agra through the fruit basket with his son Sambhaji.
• Aurangzeb was not able to capture Shivaji again.

Coronation and Title

• In 1674, Shivaji was crowned at Raigad Fort with full Vedic rituals. He took the title ‘Shri Raja Shiva Chhatrapati’.
• He also started a new calendar era called the Rajyabhisheka Shaka.
• After his coronation, Shivaji began the Dakshina Digvijaya (Southern Conquest). He conquered parts of Northern Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, gaining more territory and resources.
• Shivaji passed away at the age of fifty due to fever. Shivaji was known as a great warrior, a brilliant planner, and a visionary leader. His brave acts made him legendary all over India and even in Europe.
• European writers compared him to ancient generals like Alexander the Great.
• Chhatrasal, a Bundela prince, was inspired by Shivaji and formed his kingdom in Bundelkhand (now in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh).
• The poet Bhushan visited Shivaji and wrote famous poems in his praise, which are still remembered today.

The Marathas After Shivaji

• Shivaji had two sons, Sambhaji and Rajaram. After Shivaji’s death, Sambhaji became the Chhatrapati.
• The Marathas were the only ones who stopped the Mughals from fully taking control of the Deccan.
• Aurangzeb attacked the Deccan and conquered the Bijapur (Adil Shahi) and Golconda (Qutb Shahi) kingdoms.
• He then captured and cruelly executed Sambhaji. After this, he took over Raigad, the Maratha capital.
• Rajaram became Chhatrapati after Sambhaji. He escaped to Gingee (in present-day Tamil Nadu). This spread the Mughal-Maratha war to South India.
• The Marathas fiercely defended their forts and frequently gained the upper hand in battles and skirmishes against the Mughals.
• Aurangzeb remained trapped in the Deccan and died without achieving his goal of subduing the Marathas.
• After Rajaram, his wife Tarabai led the Marathas. She made large attacks on Mughal areas, and conquered large part of India.

Expansion of Maratha Rule

• During expansion, the Maratha rule changed from centralised to decentralised.
• Though the Chhatrapati remained head, powerful Maratha chiefs gained more control.
• Peshwa Bajirao I and his son Nanasaheb helped expand the empire across India.
• They ruled many areas and tried to govern them well.
• As regional chiefs gained more power, discipline weakened, and abuses increased.
• Marathas briefly ruled areas like Lahore, Attock and Peshawar (now in Pakistan).
• They fought the Afghans, but were badly defeated in the Battle of Panipat (1761).
• Peshwa Madhavrao I helped the Marathas recover their strength. Under Mahadji Shinde (Scindia), the Marathas recaptured Delhi in 1771.
• Delhi stayed under Maratha control until the British captured it 30 years later.
• In the late 1700s, the British and Marathas became major rivals. They fought three Anglo-Maratha wars between 1775 and 1818.
• Due to internal Maratha cononflicts and the British having better weapons and organisation, the British defeated the Marathas.

Maratha Administration

Civilian Administration

• Shivaji set up a strong and centralised system of civilian administration to ensure better control over his kingdom.
• As part of this system, he abolished hereditary posts, a practice that was common during the Sultanate and Mughal rule.
• Officials were transferred from time to time so they would not become too powerful or misuse their power.
• Shivaji took special care of soldiers. If a soldier died in battle, his widow received a pension and was also given a job in the army to the sons of dead soldiers.
• Shivaji had ashta pradhana mandala (Council of eight ministers) to assist him with administration, they were
  • Pradhan (Prime Minister)
  • Sachiv (Land Revenue Minister)
  • Nyayadhish (Chief Justice)
  • Panditrao (Head of Religious Affairs)
  • Senapti (Commander in Chief)
  • Sumant (Minister for Foreign Affairs)
  • Mantri (Intelligence Minister)
  • Amatya (Finance Minister)
• The Marathas collected two special types of taxes
  • Chauth – 25% of the revenue
  • Sardeshmukhi – An extra 10% tax
• In return of the tax the Marathas protected those regions and did not intervene in their internal matters. Even the Mughals accepted this arrangement through some treaties.
• In the 18th century, the Marathas started using Mughal-style coins because they were very popular. But they added their symbols, like Lord Ganapati (Ganesha) and Marathi titles.
• The coin had writing in both Devanagari and Persian scripts, one side praised Lord Ganapati, and the other side showed loyalty to the Peshwa, who was also called

Military AdministrationShivaji built a strong and well-planned military system to protect and expand the kingdom.

• The Maratha army was divided into three parts : Infantry (foot soldiers), Cavalry (horse riders) and Navy (sea forces).
• The cavalry had two types of soldiers, Bargirs (their horses and weapons were provided by the state),
  Shiledars (they brought their own horses and weapons).
• In the 18th century, the Marathas saw that European-style troops and artillery were stronger. So, they began raising such forces. Mahadji Shinde, especially, had a large European-style army.
• The Marathas mainly used swords and lances but also used many guns and Cannons. Which were rare part of their warfare since Shivaji’s time and by 1770, they began using metal tube rockets.
• Forts were the strongest part of Maratha power. Shivaji built and controlled many forts, which helped them to control important routes and hide the army safely when engaging in guerrilla warfare.
• Ramachandrapant, Shivaji’s Finance Minister, wrote in his book Adnyapatra, “Forts are the heart of the kingdom. Without them, the land gets destroyed during invasions”.

Maritime Supremacy

• Shivaji created a powerful navy to strengthen his maritime supremacy and protect the Western coast of India.
  In the 18th century, a famous Maratha naval commander, Kanhoji Angre, led the Marathas to victory in many naval battles.
• Even though Maratha ships were not as modern as European ships, Kanhoji used clever battle plans and the geography of the sea to win.
• During this time, the biggest power of the Europeans in India was their navy. They forced Indian traders to buy naval trade passes (called cartaz in Portuguese). If any ship did not have a pass, it would be seized by European forces.
• The Marathas opposed this unfair rule and even started asking the Europeans to take passes from them instead.
• In 1665, four ships from Shivaji’s fleet sailed to Muscat, the capital of Oman. The ruler of Muscat captured the ships and arrested the sailors.
• He also prepared ships to attack Shivaji’s coastal areas. But when he heard that Shivaji’s navy had more than 100 ships, he became afraid and hid his own ships inside the harbour.

Judicial System

• The Marathas set up an efficient and fair judicial system to maintain law and order in the kingdom.
• One of the most special features of this system was that the death penalty (capital punishment) was used very rarely. Justice at the village level was given by a group called the panchayat.
• The panchayat was a local group of important people and officials who came together to solve disputes and make fair decisions.
• If someone was not satisfied with the panchayat’s decision, they could appeal to a Maratha chief for further justice.
• In big towns like Pune and Indore, the kotwal (police officer) was appointed to keep peace and maintain law and order in the city.

Trade Networks

• Shivaji actively promoted trade and built strong trade networks to improve the economy and connect with other regions.
• Shivaji himself took part in foreign sea trade and encouraged others to do the same.
• He and his officials owned private ships, which they sent to distant ports like Mocha in Yemen, Muscat in Oman, Malacca in Malaysia.
• These ships often carried valuable goods like gold and textiles for trade. In some regions, like Odisha in the 18th century, there were ferries on rivers for carrying goods and people.
• Bridges were also built over rivers and small streams to make land travel smooth and faster.

Cultural Revival

• Marathas played an important role in reviving Indian culture.
• Shivaji’s idea of Swarajya (self-rule) showed his love for Indian values. His royal seal had a Sanskrit inscription, which was very different from the usual Persian seals of that time.
• Shivaji supported the Marathi language and commissioned a special book called Rajya-Vyavahara- Kosha.
• This book gave Sanskrit words to replace commonly used Persian words in official communication. Because of this, the use of foreign words in Maratha diplomacy reduced a lot.
• The Modi script (a cursive form of Devanagari) was used by the Marathas for writing and correspondence.
• He rebuilt temples that had been destroyed. He supported religious institutions, Sanskrit and Marathi literature, and traditional Indian arts. His saffron flag became a symbol for all Marathas.
• Shivaji’s example inspired later Maratha rulers. The Bhonsles of Nagpur became active supporters of Indian traditions.
• They helped revive the worship of Lord Jagannath at Puri in Odisha, which had been interrupted during the Mughal rule.

The Mighty Maratha Women

Ahilyabai Holkar

• Ahilyabai Holkar was a brave and wise ruler from the Holkar dynasty, which helped in expand of Maratha power in North India.
• She ruled for 30 years in central India (around present-day Indore) after losing her husband and son.
• Ahilyabai built and repaired temples, ghats, wells and roads from Kedarnath to Rameswaram.
• She rebuilt the Kashj Vishwanath temple (destroyed by Aurangzeb) and the Somnath temple (destroyed by Mahmud of Ghazni).
• She also supported the Maheshwar weaving industry in Madhya Pradesh, helping handloom crafts survive and grow.

Tarabai

• Tarabai was a fearless Maratha warrior queen who ruled in the early 18th century after her husband Rajaram died.
• When she saw that Aurangzeb and the Mughal army were busy in the Deccan, she used this chance and sent large Maratha armies to attack Northern Mughal territories.
• Because of this, she became the main planner of Maratha expansion in the North.
• Her strong military strategy and determination helped in defeating the Mughals and protecting the Maratha Empire.

In Focus: Thanjavur

• In the late 17th century, Ekoji, the half-brother of Shivaji, conquered the Thanjavur region, marking the beginning of Maratha rule.
• The Thanjavur Marathas created a special mixed culture, also called a syncretic culture, which was rich and full of new ideas.
• Among all the Thanjavur Maratha rulers, Serfoji II’s contribution was the most important.
• He knew many Indian and European languages. He wrote a Marathi play called Devendra Kuravanji, which described world geography as people knew it at that time.
• Serfoji supported many talented musicians. During his time, Modern Carnatic music started developing. The early form of the Bharatanatyam dance also began taking shape.
• He was also interested in medicine. He set up the Dhanwantari Mahal, a medical centre that gave free treatment using both Indian and Western medicine.
• Serfoji started a printing press, which was the first printing press started by an Indian ruler.
• He also got the history of the Bhonsle family written on the walls of the Brihadishwara temple in Thanjavur.
• This became one of the largest single inscriptions in India, made to last for future generations.
• The cultural life in Thanjavur was multilingual and full of variety. It included Tamil culture (from the local people), Telugu culture (from earlier rulers), and Marathi culture (from the ruling Maratha family).
• These different cultures mixed freely and made Thanjavur a unique centre of art and learning.

The Maratha Legacy

• The Marathas left behind a powerful legacy, as they challenged the Mughal Empire and built the largest Indian empire before the British came to power.
• They ruled over large parts of central and Northern India. The Marathas introduced a new system of administration that was well-organised and efficient.
• They also revived local Hindu traditions, but they never discriminated against other religions.
  In this way, the Maratha movement planted the early seeds of India’s freedom struggle.