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When most people think of Indian history, they think of the Mughal Empire. This is for good reason – the Mughals were one of the most powerful empires in India’s history. But there was another empire that was vying for power at the same time – the Maratha Empire. In this article, we will compare and contrast these two empires and see who comes out on top!
A Brief Overview Of Maratha Empire
The Maratha Empire was founded in 1674 by Shivaji Maharaj, a great warrior and tactician. The empire expanded rapidly under the rule of Shivaji’s successors, such as Sambhaji and Rajaram. By 1760, the Maratha Empire had become the largest Hindu state in India, with a territory that included most of the Indian subcontinent. However, the empire began to decline after the death of Shivaji Maharaj’s grandson, Madhavrao I, in 1772. The Maratha Empire finally came to an end in 1818 when it was defeated by the British East India Company.
A Brief Overview Of Mughal Empire
Babur, a Central Asian king descending from the Timurid dynasty, founded the Mughal Empire. At its height, the Mughal Empire extended from Afghanistan in the west to Arakan in the east, and from Kashmir in the north to the Deccan Plateau in the south. It was one of the largest empires in world history. The Mughal Empire is perhaps best known for its impressive architecture, including the Taj Mahal, as well as its art, literature, and cuisine.
Comparison Between The Two Empires
The Maratha Empire and the Mughal Empire were two of the most powerful empires in India during their time. Both empires had their own strengths and weaknesses, which will be compared in this article.
The Maratha Empire was founded in 1674 by Shivaji Maharaj, who was a skilled military leader. The Marathas were known for their guerrilla warfare tactics, which allowed them to defeat much larger armies. The Maratha Empire reached its peak during the rule of Shivaji’s grandson, Peshwa Bajirao I.
The Mughal Empire was founded in 1526 by Babur, a Central Asian ruler. The Mughals were known for their military prowess and their ability to build large, centralized empires. The Mughal Empire reached its peak during the rule of Emperor Aurangzeb.
There are a few key differences between the Maratha Empire and the Mughal Empire.
- Firstly, the Marathas were known for their guerrilla warfare tactics, while the Mughals were known for their military prowess.
- Secondly, the Maratha Empire was founded by Shivaji Maharaj, who was a skilled military leader, while Babur, a Central Asian ruler, founded the entire Mughal Empire..
- Thirdly, the Maratha Empire reached its peak during the rule of Shivaji’s grandson, Peshwa Bajirao I, while the Mughal Empire declined during the rule of Emperor Aurangzeb.
- Fourthly, the Marathas were known for their use of light cavalry, while the Mughals were known for their use of heavy cavalry.
- Lastly, the Maratha Empire was located in western and central India, while the Mughal Empire was located in northern and eastern India.
So, which empire was better? The Maratha Empire or the Mughal Empire?
It is hard to say which empire was better. Both empires had their own strengths and weaknesses. However, the Maratha Empire may have had a slight edge over the Mughal Empire because of their guerrilla warfare tactics and their skilled military leader, Shivaji Maharaj.
Conclusion
The Maratha Empire was founded in 1674 by Shivaji, who declared independence from the Mughal Empire. The two empires fought many wars over the years, with the Marathas ultimately gaining control of most of India. The Mughals were eventually reduced to a small region in northern India. Although their time on top was brief, the Maratha Empire had a significant impact on Indian history and culture.
