Maratha Confederacy — Revision Notes

⚡ 30-Second Revision

Formation: — Early 18th century, post-Aurangzeb death (1707), Shahu's release.
Power Shift: — From Chhatrapati (Satara) to Peshwa (Pune) after Sangola Agreement (1750).
Major Houses: — Peshwa (Pune), Bhonsle (Nagpur), Gaekwad (Baroda), Holkar (Indore), Scindia (Gwalior).
Revenue: — Chauth (1/4th), Sardeshmukhi (1/10th).
Key Battles: — Third Battle of Panipat (1761) - Marathas vs. Ahmad Shah Abdali (Afghan), devastating Maratha defeat.
Anglo-Maratha Wars:

- First (1775-1782): Treaty of Salbai (1782), inconclusive, 20-year peace. - Second (1803-1805): Treaty of Bassein (1802) - Peshwa Baji Rao II accepts Subsidiary Alliance. Battles of Assaye, Argaon. British victory. - Third (1817-1818): Final defeat of Peshwa Baji Rao II. Abolition of Peshwaship (1818). Annexation of territories.

Key Personalities: — Balaji Vishwanath, Baji Rao I, Madhavrao I, Nana Fadnavis, Mahadji Scindia, Baji Rao II.
Decline Factors: — Internal rivalries, lack of unity, feudal system, British exploitation, Subsidiary Alliance.

2-Minute Revision

The Maratha Confederacy emerged in the early 18th century as a decentralized political system, evolving from Shivaji's centralized Maratha Empire. This transformation was largely driven by the rise of the Peshwas, who, from Balaji Vishwanath onwards, became the de facto rulers, shifting the administrative capital to Pune and relegating the Chhatrapati to a titular role after the Sangola Agreement of 1750.

The Confederacy comprised powerful, semi-independent Maratha houses: the Peshwas, Bhonsles, Gaekwads, Holkars, and Scindias, each controlling vast territories and maintaining their own armies.

Under the Peshwas, the Marathas expanded rapidly across India, collecting Chauth and Sardeshmukhi. However, this expansion was checked by the devastating Third Battle of Panipat in 1761 against Ahmad Shah Abdali, which severely weakened Maratha power and exposed internal divisions.

Despite a brief revival under Madhavrao I, internal rivalries among the Maratha chiefs intensified, creating an opportune moment for the British East India Company. The British systematically dismantled the Confederacy through three Anglo-Maratha Wars.

The First War ended inconclusively with the Treaty of Salbai (1782). The Second War (1803-1805) was triggered by Peshwa Baji Rao II's acceptance of the Subsidiary Alliance (Treaty of Bassein, 1802), leading to major British victories like the Battle of Assaye.

The Third War (1817-1818) delivered the final blow, abolishing the Peshwaship and annexing most Maratha territories, thus ending Maratha independence. The Confederacy's decline was a classic case of internal disunity and feudal tendencies being exploited by a more organized colonial power.

5-Minute Revision

The Maratha Confederacy represents a pivotal phase in Indian history, transitioning from the centralized Maratha Empire of Shivaji to a decentralized, federal-like structure that dominated much of the subcontinent in the 18th century.

This shift began after Aurangzeb's death in 1707 and the subsequent power struggles involving Shahu and Tarabai. The Peshwas, initially chief ministers, gradually usurped real power, becoming hereditary de facto rulers from Balaji Vishwanath onwards, culminating in the Sangola Agreement of 1750 which formalized the Chhatrapati's titular status.

The Confederacy was characterized by five major Maratha houses: the Peshwas of Pune, Bhonsles of Nagpur, Gaekwads of Baroda, Holkars of Indore, and Scindias of Gwalior. Each maintained significant autonomy, their own armies, and administrative systems, often leading to internal rivalries.

The Maratha economy relied heavily on 'chauth' and 'sardeshmukhi' collected from vast territories, fueling their expansion but also creating resentment. Militarily, they evolved from guerrilla tactics to more conventional warfare, though a unified command remained elusive.

Maratha power reached its zenith under Peshwas like Baji Rao I and Balaji Baji Rao, extending their influence from the Deccan to Delhi. However, the devastating Third Battle of Panipat in 1761 against Ahmad Shah Abdali proved a turning point, decimating Maratha leadership and exposing the inherent weaknesses of their decentralized structure.

Despite a remarkable revival under Peshwa Madhavrao I, his untimely death plunged the Confederacy back into intense internal conflicts, notably the Barabhai conspiracy and the rivalry between Nana Fadnavis and Mahadji Scindia.

These internal divisions provided a golden opportunity for the British East India Company. The Anglo-Maratha Wars (1775-1818) systematically dismantled the Confederacy. The First War (1775-1782) was inconclusive, ending with the Treaty of Salbai, which granted a 20-year respite.

The Second War (1803-1805) was triggered by Peshwa Baji Rao II's disastrous decision to accept the Subsidiary Alliance through the Treaty of Bassein (1802), effectively surrendering Maratha sovereignty.

This led to decisive British victories, such as the Battle of Assaye, and significant territorial gains. The Third War (1817-1818) was the final act, where a desperate Baji Rao II's attempt to unite the Marathas failed against Lord Hastings' forces, leading to the abolition of the Peshwaship and the complete subjugation of Maratha territories under British rule.

The Confederacy's decline underscores the critical role of internal unity, effective administration, and military modernization in resisting colonial expansion.

Prelims Revision Notes

The Maratha Confederacy (c. 1707-1818) was a decentralized political entity that succeeded the centralized Maratha Empire. Key to its formation was the rise of the Peshwas, who became the de facto rulers.

Balaji Vishwanath (1713-1720) consolidated Shahu's power and secured Chauth/Sardeshmukhi rights from Mughals. Baji Rao I (1720-1740) expanded Maratha power northwards. Balaji Baji Rao (1740-1761) saw Maratha power at its zenith but also the devastating Third Battle of Panipat (1761) against Ahmad Shah Abdali, which severely weakened them.

The Sangola Agreement (1750) formalized Peshwa's supremacy over the Chhatrapati.

Major Maratha houses included the Peshwas (Pune), Bhonsles (Nagpur), Gaekwads (Baroda), Holkars (Indore), and Scindias (Gwalior). These houses often acted autonomously, leading to internal rivalries. After Panipat, Madhavrao I (1761-1772) briefly revived Maratha power. His death led to the Barabhai conspiracy and rivalry between Nana Fadnavis ('Maratha Machiavelli') and Mahadji Scindia.

The Anglo-Maratha Wars were crucial for British expansion. The First War (1775-1782) ended with the Treaty of Salbai, providing 20 years of peace. The Second War (1803-1805) began after Peshwa Baji Rao II signed the Treaty of Bassein (1802), accepting the Subsidiary Alliance.

Key battles included Assaye (1803) where Wellesley defeated Scindia. The Third War (1817-1818) saw the final defeat of Baji Rao II and the abolition of the Peshwaship, marking the end of Maratha independence.

The Maratha revenue system included Chauth (1/4th) and Sardeshmukhi (1/10th). Key factors for decline were internal disunity, feudal tendencies, and British military and diplomatic superiority.

Mains Revision Notes

The Maratha Confederacy's evolution from a centralized empire to a decentralized system under the Peshwas is a critical analytical point. This transformation, driven by internal power struggles (Shahu vs.

Tarabai, Peshwa's rise) and external pressures (Mughal wars), allowed for rapid expansion but also sowed seeds of fragmentation. The decentralized structure, with powerful regional chiefs (Scindia, Holkar, Gaekwad, Bhonsle) operating semi-autonomously, meant a lack of unified command and conflicting interests, a key weakness against the British.

Administratively, the Confederacy struggled with a uniform system, often relying on extractive revenue policies (Chauth, Sardeshmukhi) that alienated populations. The jagirdari system, while facilitating expansion, fostered feudal tendencies. Economically, continuous warfare drained resources without sufficient productive investment. Militarily, despite adopting some European elements, the Marathas often lacked the discipline, unified strategy, and advanced weaponry of the British.

The Third Battle of Panipat (1761) was a devastating blow, exposing these fragilities. Post-Panipat, internal rivalries intensified, providing the British with opportunities. The Anglo-Maratha Wars were a systematic dismantling: the First War was a stalemate, but the Second War, initiated by Peshwa Baji Rao II's acceptance of the Subsidiary Alliance (Treaty of Bassein, 1802), strategically brought the Peshwa under British control and alienated other chiefs.

The Third War delivered the final blow, abolishing the Peshwaship and ending Maratha independence. The Confederacy's decline serves as a case study in the challenges of federal governance, the impact of internal disunity, and the effectiveness of British imperial strategies like the Subsidiary Alliance .

This historical narrative connects to broader themes of Indian resistance patterns and the economic impact of colonial expansion .

Vyyuha Quick Recall

To remember the key factors contributing to the Maratha Confederacy's decline, use the PESHWA Framework:

Political decentralization and internal rivalries (Peshwa vs. Holkar, Scindia, etc.)
Economic strain from continuous wars and extractive revenue (Chauth, Sardeshmukhi)
Subsidiary Alliance trap (Treaty of Bassein, loss of sovereignty)
Holkar-Scindia rivalry (and other inter-house conflicts)
Wellesley's aggressive policy (British military and diplomatic superiority)
Assaye defeat sealed fate (and other decisive British military victories)

To remember the major Maratha houses, think of the 'Five Fingers of Maratha Power':

Thumb: — Peshwa (Pune - the dominant, central figure)
Index Finger: — Holkar (Indore - pointing towards expansion in Malwa)
Middle Finger: — Scindia (Gwalior - the longest reach, into North India)
Ring Finger: — Gaekwad (Baroda - associated with wealth, like a ring)
Little Finger: — Bhonsle (Nagpur - a distinct, slightly separate entity)