Shivaji's eldest son, Sambhaji, was captured by Mughal forces in 1689. He was brutally executed in March 1689 near the banks of the Bhima River, close to Pune. Following his capture, Shivaji’s second son, Rajaram, managed to escape to the fortified town of Jinji in the southernmost parts of India, ensuring the Maratha resistance continued.
The Fate
of Sambhaji's Family
Sambhaji's
wife, Yesubai, and their young son, Shahu, were captured by the Mughals and
spent the next 18 years imprisoned. Despite this setback, the Marathas
maintained their fighting spirit, with the subsequent war becoming one of the most
significant chapters in Indian history, often regarded as a "people's
war" against the Mughal Empire.
Queen
Tarabai's Leadership
After
Rajaram’s death in 1700, his widow, Queen Tarabai, assumed leadership and
continued the fight against the Mughals with unwavering determination. Her role
during this period was crucial in keeping the Maratha resistance alive.
The Rise
of Feudal Lords
Under
Rajaram's reign, the Marathas faced mounting pressure and a lack of resources.
To sustain the war effort, Rajaram had to reintroduce land grants, which had
been discontinued by Shivaji. This led to the rise of powerful Sardars (feudal
lords), resulting in diminished central authority, which became a challenge for
the Maratha state.
Raids and
Their Consequences
The
Marathas, short of resources, resorted to looting Mughal territories. While
these raids were effective in weakening Mughal forces, they also caused immense
suffering to local populations, resulting in the Marathas losing support
outside Maharashtra. This marked a significant contrast to the more disciplined
conduct of Shivaji’s time.
The
Decline of Maratha Military Strength
Maharashtra's
lack of mineral wealth, combined with a cultural emphasis on cavalry over
infantry, hindered the development of firearms. This strategic oversight would
prove costly in the years to come, especially when the Marathas faced the
English, who had already begun to shift the focus of their military toward
infantry, which was becoming the dominant force on the battlefield.
Shahu's
Ascension and the Rise of the Peshwas
In 1708,
Shahu, the grandson of Shivaji, was crowned as Chhatrapati at Satara after his
release from Mughal captivity. Five years later, in 1713, Balaji Vishwanath
secured the position of Peshwa (Prime Minister) from Shahu, marking the
beginning of hereditary Peshwa rule in the Maratha Empire.
The
Maratha Confederacy
Under
Shahu’s reign, the tightly controlled Maratha state that Shivaji had
established transformed into a confederacy. The powerful Maratha
leaders—Scindia (Shinde), Holkar, Gaikwad, and Pawar—reported to the Peshwa,
while Sarkhel Angrey (Navy Chief) and Sena Subha Bhonsle (Military Chief)
reported directly to the Chhatrapati.
Bajirao's
Military Strategy
In 1720,
Bajirao I became Peshwa, and he transformed the Maratha military into a highly
mobile, cavalry-based fighting force. His swift-moving cavalry struck fear into
enemies and captured the popular imagination in Maharashtra. Bajirao's tactics
inspired leaders such as Yashwant Holkar in 1804-05 and Tatya Tope during the
1857 Indian Rebellion.
Historical
Significance of Maratha Expansion
Before
Bajirao’s campaigns, it was a rare occurrence for victorious armies to travel
from south to north, with one notable exception during the reign of Pulakeshin
II in 606 CE. Bajirao’s successes were a reversal of the norm, demonstrating
the growing power of the Marathas.
The
Decline of the Mughal Empire
Nadir Shah's
invasion in 1740 further weakened the already crumbling Mughal Empire. By the
time of his departure, the empire’s influence had shrunk, and its jurisdiction
was largely confined to the city of Delhi, marking the end of Mughal dominance
in India.
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