Maratha Empire- Peshwa Madhavrao 1, Mahadji Sindhia and Others

Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj established an independent Maratha Empire in 1674, with Raigad as its capital, after a lifetime of exploits and guerrilla warfare with Adilshah of Bijapur and Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj passed away in 1680, leaving behind a large and vulnerable kingdom.

From 1682 to 1707, the Mughals invaded and fought an unsuccessful 25-year war. Shahu, Shivaji’s grandson, reigned as Emperor until 1749. Shahu appointed a Peshwa (prime minister) as head of the government during his reign. Following Shahu’s death, the Peshwas took over as de facto rulers of the empire from 1749 to 1761, while Shivaji’s successors remained nominal rulers from their base in Satara.

The Peshwas

The Peshwas were highly knowledgeable ministers who were appointed for the administration and handling the money of the kingdom. The founder of the Maratha Empire, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was the founding father of the formation of Peshwas as well. The Peshwa lost their importance after the rule of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj came to an end and regained back when Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj restored faith in Peshwas. 

After the death of Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj, Peshwa Baji Rao 1 was made the de facto ruler of the Maratha Empire. Until he suffered the defeat of Panipat Peshwa, Baji Rao 1 followed the true values of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and was able to restore the glory of the Maratha Empire by taking control of Delhi.

The Peshwa dynasty came to an end when Holkars decided to call out war against their own alliance, and hence the Peshwa took help from the British as they lacked the resources to protect themselves. The intervention of the British led to the destruction and fallout of the Peshwa dynasty.

Madhavrao I

The Maratha Kingdom in this era was growing in its glory. Western India, Northern India, and Central India all three had orange flags of the Maratha empire hoisted on their chest. Madhavrao’s ambition was met with challenges which he resolved by establishing administration in all the provinces. After the death of Nanasaheb and Sadashivrao Bhau in the battle of Panipat. The Peshwa throne was passed down to this sixteen-year boy with uncle Raghunath acting as an aid.

His uncle Raghunatrao, on the other hand, is enraged by his newfound assertiveness in state administration. A campaign against Nizam Ali was launched in Karnataka in 1762, and everything came to a head. Peshwa Madhav Rao continued, but Ragunathrao abandoned the army in the middle and returned to Pune.

When Madhav Rao was given the throne of the Maratha Empire to handle, the empire was already brought to its knees by the after-effects of the Panipat war. After suffering heavy losses, their enemies knew they were running low on funds, and hence just to manage the funds was a responsibility in itself. Madhav Rao restricted spending on excessive resources and implemented strict administration.

The young Peshwa was reinstated to appease Raghunath Rao, and he treated Raghunath Rao with dignity. Peshwa Madhav Rao fought several wars against Hyder Ali of Mysore in the early 1760s. Despite being defeated on multiple occasions, Hyder Ali managed to flee.

Hyder Ali’s army was defeated at Balapur in January 1771. Peshwa Madhav Rao then traversed Mysore district by district. The Maratha army arrived in Srirangapatna, Hyder Ali’s capital, in June 1772. At this point, Hyder Ali filed a peace suit. He gave the Marathas Kolar, Bangalore, Ouskota, Balapur, Mudgiri, and Gurukonda for 3,600,000 rupees in war indemnity and 1,400,000 rupees in annual tribute.

Mahadji Sindhia

Towards the end of the 18th century, fights amongst the Indians began, and hence India witnessed many things that it never imagined. Partnerships changed, rulers were backstabbed, and the country was in a state of chaos. The throne of Delhi was unstable, and everyone was trying to get a seat.

Sindhia’s ambition of becoming the supreme military leader of the north was thus realised. He quickly took Gwalior and Gohad forts before moving to Delhi, where he established control. The arrival in Delhi of Ghulam Qadir, the grandson of Najib-ud-daulah, was a direct challenge to Mahadji.

Qadir terrorised the Red Fort for several months, blinding the Emperor and looting what remained of the Mughals’ treasures. Princesses were kidnapped, and princes were forced to dance in the royal courts. When Mahadji arrived in Delhi and restored order, he discovered that Qadir had escaped. Ali Bahadur, the grandson of the great Baji Rao, pursued the fugitive and apprehended him.

A letter written by Jagannath Vishwanath on February 15, 1794, describes Mahadji’s recurrent bouts of mild fever followed by a recovery that lasted a few months. ‘Shrimant Maharaj’ died on February 12, the thirteenth day of the month of Magh, he writes. The death of Mahadji dashed the East India Company’s hopes, and they feared that the Maratha court would be too weak to respond. Haripant Phadke died in June 1794, not long after Mahadji.

Conclusion

The Maratha Empire has seen its fair shares of rulers that have reigned the empire like one ruler in the world did. The aggressive expansion of the kingdom and rich history indicates the importance of the throne in itself. By signing the Treaty of Bassein in 1802, Peshwa Baji Rao II accepted the Subsidiary Alliance. This was the end of the Maratha empire.

By the time it was 1818, the Maratha Empire, which was once in its full glory, was brought down to its knees after it surrendered to the British. The Peshwas were attacked by Holkars after their defeat at Panipat, which the Peshwas weren’t able to hold, and hence, they asked for help from the British. This is how the Marathas’ stronghold crumbled, bringing their rule and the Peshwa dynasty to an end.