NCERT Solutions: Chapter3 The Rise of Marathas (class 8 Science)

The Marathas were people from the western Deccan, mainly the region that is now Maharashtra[cite: 7]. They spoke Marathi, followed Hindu traditions, and built states that later grew into a wide Maratha confederacy under strong leaders like Shivaji[cite: 7].

Their rise to become the largest pan-Indian power before British rule was the result of several linked factors[cite: 7]:

• Strong Leadership and Organisation: Capable leaders such as Shivaji established an efficient administrative apparatus and inspired deep loyalty among the people[cite: 7].
• Effective Military Tactics: Mastered guerrilla warfare (Ganimi Kava), using intimate knowledge of rugged terrain to outmaneuver and defeat much larger opposing armies[cite: 7].
• Network of Hill Forts & Navy: Fortresses in the Western Ghats formed the core of regional defense, while an expanding naval fleet protected maritime trade along the Konkan coast[cite: 7].
• Systematic Revenue System: Established regular salaries for state officials rather than solely relying on hereditary posts, supported by revenue collections such as chauth (25%) and sardeshmukhi (10%)[cite: 7].
• Cultural Patronage & Inclusivity: Promoted Marathi and Sanskrit, restored religious shrines, and practiced broad religious tolerance[cite: 7].
• Expansive Political Alliances: Maratha campaigns expanded influence across central, western, and northern India, establishing them as the principal power confronted by the British in three Anglo-Maratha wars[cite: 7].

They later fought three wars with the British and were the last major Indian power to challenge British control[cite: 7]. Maratha rulers supported public welfare, art, and culture, and generally practiced religious tolerance[cite: 7]. Shivaji especially emphasized the protection of ordinary people and just governance[cite: 7].

Under Shivaji, the administration moved towards a more centralized system with paid officials rather than only hereditary posts[cite: 7]. Key features were:

• Ashta Pradhana Mandala: A council of eight ministers, each responsible for different departments such as revenue, foreign affairs, finance, and domestic administration[cite: 7].
• Care for Soldiers' Families: Provided pensions for widows of soldiers who died in battle and opportunities for their sons to serve in the military[cite: 7].
• Structured Revenue Collection: Included taxes like chauth (about 25%) and sardeshmukhi (about 10%), which helped fund the state and the army[cite: 7].
• Strong Mixed Military: Composed of infantry, cavalry, and a growing navy; forts served as the core of defense and operational strategy[cite: 7].
• Judicial and Policing Framework: Local panchayats and urban kotwals maintained civil law, order, and justice at the village and town levels[cite: 7].
• Trade & Infrastructure Policies: Encouraged commerce and communication through roads, bridges, ferries, and maritime trade with foreign ports[cite: 7].
• Patronage of Culture & Languages: Promoted Marathi and Sanskrit, rebuilt desecrated temples, and maintained general respect for religious diversity[cite: 7].

The Marathas had several lasting impacts on Indian history[cite: 7]:

• Broke Imperial Monopolies: They ended the monopoly of Mughal power across extensive regions and became the dominant political force in 18th-century India[cite: 7].
• Cultural & Linguistic Revival: They revived and strengthened regional languages, particularly Marathi, and supported local cultural traditions and religious institutions[cite: 7].
• The Inspiration of Swarajya: The ideal of Swarajya (self-rule for the welfare of the people) inspired later generations and helped plant the early seeds of India's national freedom movement[cite: 7].
• Indigenous Military Science: Their military methods, strategic use of forts, and development of a navy demonstrated that Indian polities could adapt and resist larger, better-equipped foreign armies[cite: 7].

Meaning of Bhakti: Bhakti means devotion—a personal, loving relationship with the divine shown through prayer, songs, simple living, and sincere conduct rather than elaborate, rigid rituals[cite: 7].

Bhakti Saint: Sant Tukaram (Maharashtra):

• He was a 17th-century Bhakti poet who composed numerous abhangs (devotional hymns) in praise of Lord Vitthala of Pandharpur[cite: 7].
• His teachings emphasized equality, honesty, humility, and freedom from excessive material desires[cite: 7].
• He strongly opposed caste discrimination, teaching that true devotion is open to all people regardless of their birth or social standing[cite: 7].
• Core Message: Genuine devotion manifests through selfless love for God and compassion toward fellow human beings[cite: 7].

If granted the opportunity to meet Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, here are three insightful questions to ask[cite: 7]:

1. How did you inspire ordinary people to unite and fight for Swarajya against powerful enemies?
   Reason: To learn about the leadership qualities, motivational strategies, and communication methods he used to unite people from diverse backgrounds[cite: 7].
2. What was your vision for the future of the Maratha state beyond your lifetime?
   Reason: To understand his long-term administrative planning and how he expected the state to be governed after him[cite: 7].
3. What personal qualities should every ruler possess to serve the people well?
   Reason: To gain insight into the ethical principles and values he considered essential for fair, compassionate, and effective rule[cite: 7].

Guerrilla Warfare is an asymmetrical combat method in which small, highly mobile units use surprise attacks, ambushes, and local terrain knowledge to wear down much larger conventional armies[cite: 7]. It relies on speed, secrecy, and safe retreats[cite: 7].

Countries that adopted guerrilla warfare:

• Vietnam: The Viet Cong used dense equatorial jungles, swamps, and extensive underground tunnel complexes to launch surprise ambushes and avoid direct open battles[cite: 7].
• Spain: Spanish irregular fighters resisted Napoleon's invading armies using rugged mountain passes and rural village support (originating the term guerrilla, meaning 'small war')[cite: 7].
• Afghanistan: Local fighters utilized steep mountain ravines and narrow defiles to defend against Soviet and foreign forces[cite: 7].
• Cuba: Revolutionary fighters operated from the forested Sierra Maestra mountain range for shelter and mobile strikes[cite: 7].

Geographical advantages utilized:

• Forests and jungles provide concealment and complex routes for movement[cite: 7].
• Mountains and hills offer high ground, hidden passes, and safe defensive retreats[cite: 7].
• Swamps and rivers slow down enemy convoys and hide tactical approaches[cite: 7].
• Local villages provide intelligence, food provisions, and shelter[cite: 7].

The Maratha Connection: These are the exact geographical assets Shivaji utilized across the Western Ghats: steep terrain, hill forts, and local community support allowed his troops to strike swiftly and withdraw to fortified safety[cite: 7].

Selected Event: The Historic Encounter between Chhatrapati Shivaji and General Afzal Khan of Bijapur at Pratapgad (1659)[cite: 7].

Reason for Choice: It demonstrates tactical foresight, defensive preparedness, and personal bravery when confronting a treacherous opponent[cite: 7].

Five-Scene Play Outline:

• Scene 1 - Background: Afzal Khan is dispatched with a large Bijapur army to subdue Shivaji. A diplomatic personal summit is arranged at the foot of Pratapgad Fort[cite: 7].
• Scene 2 - Preparations: Anticipating betrayal, Shivaji secretly prepares by wearing lightweight chain-mail armor under his garments and concealing a wagh nakh (steel tiger claws) and dagger[cite: 7].
• Scene 3 - The Encounter: Inside the meeting tent, Afzal Khan embraces Shivaji and suddenly strikes with a dagger, which is stopped by Shivaji's concealed armor[cite: 7].
• Scene 4 - The Counterattack: Shivaji retaliates with the concealed wagh nakh, defending himself and fatally wounding Afzal Khan, throwing the enemy camp into confusion[cite: 7].
• Scene 5 - Outcome & Victory: A horn signal summons Maratha troops concealed in the surrounding forests, routing the leaderless Bijapur army[cite: 7].

Core Moral: Meticulous preparation, moral courage, and tactical intelligence overcome superior numbers and defend what is right[cite: 7].

Based on this historic decree, Shivaji's governance was anchored in three fundamental values[cite: 7]:

• Environmental Sustainability: He recognized the long growth cycles of fruit trees (mango, jackfruit) and regulated timber extraction, requiring formal permits even for essential naval shipbuilding[cite: 7].
• Deep Empathy for Subjects: He understood the emotional and economic bonds between common agrarian families and their nurtured fruit trees, protecting civilian welfare over imperial convenience[cite: 7].
• Principled, Non-Coercive Rule: He explicitly warned his officers that gains achieved through state oppression and force are temporary and bring destruction to both the state and the oppressor[cite: 7].

Bharatanatyam, the classical dance tradition of Tamil Nadu, has a direct historical connection with the Maratha rulers of Thanjavur[cite: 7]:

• The Maratha dynasty ruled Thanjavur for over a century following its establishment by Venkoji[cite: 7].
• Under visionary scholar-kings like Serfoji II, the royal court became a patron of musicians, dancers, and scholars[cite: 7].
• The Thanjavur court patronized the famous Thanjavur Quartet (four brothers: Chinnayya, Ponnayya, Sivanandam, and Vadivelu), who codified the classical recital repertoire (Alarippu, Jatiswaram, Varnam, Padam, Tillana) and enriched Carnatic music[cite: 7].

Geography was central to Maratha military tactics, territorial defense, and state building[cite: 7]:

Tarabai: The Fearless Maratha Queen

• Tarabai was the wife of Chhatrapati Rajaram and took charge as regent following his death in 1700[cite: 7]. She faced an existential crisis as Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb personally invaded the Deccan with imperial forces to extinguish Maratha independence[cite: 7].
• Despite resource shortages and internal divisions, Tarabai organized Maratha forces, personally participated in campaign strategy, and shifted from defense to counter-offensives across Mughal territories in Malwa and Gujarat[cite: 7].
• She kept Maratha commanders united when the state was on the brink of collapse, ensuring the continuous defense of Swarajya until Aurangzeb's death in 1707[cite: 7].
• Why She Inspires: Tarabai is remembered for her moral courage, strategic intellect, and perseverance; her leadership preserved Maratha sovereignty during its most critical period[cite: 7].

Selected Fortress: Raigad Fort (Capital of Swarajya)[cite: 7]

1. History: Originally called Rairi, Shivaji captured it in 1656 and selected it as the capital of the sovereign Maratha state[cite: 7]. Shivaji's coronation took place here in 1674, and it remained a central seat of Maratha power until British annexation in 1818[cite: 7].

2. Architecture: Situated approximately 820 meters above sea level and surrounded by steep valleys[cite: 7]. Features massive gates (Maha Darwaza), defensive ramparts, public assembly durbars, water reservoirs (Ganga Sagar Lake), a marketplace with raised stone shops, and the Jagadishwar Temple alongside Shivaji's samadhi[cite: 7].

3. Strategic Importance: Its height and sheer cliffs offered commanding views of approaching forces, while narrow approach paths made prolonged sieges difficult[cite: 7].

Why Choose Raigad: Raigad symbolizes the ideal of Swarajya, illustrating how Shivaji combined architecture, administration, and military strategy into a functioning capital[cite: 7].

Meaning: By the mid-to-late 18th century, the Maratha Confederacy had become the principal military and political power across India, while the Mughal Empire was reduced to a figurehead authority[cite: 7]. Consequently, British expansion involved defeating Maratha armies to establish colonial rule[cite: 7].

Evidence:

• The Marathas were the largest power in India before British expansion, controlling Delhi from 1771 onward as protectors of the Mughal emperor[cite: 7].
• The British fought three Anglo-Maratha Wars (ending in 1818) to subdue the armies of the Peshwa, Scindia, Holkar, and Bhonsle[cite: 7].
• Internal divisions among Maratha chiefs combined with British military campaigns led to the annexation of Maratha domains in 1818, transferring paramount power to the British[cite: 7].

Shivaji's Approach:

• A devout Hindu who respected people of other faiths, strictly forbidding the destruction of places of worship or the mistreatment of women and civilian populations[cite: 7].
• During the raid on Surat, he protected religious buildings, churches, and civilian residences such as that of the merchant Mohandas Parekh[cite: 7].
• He restored desecrated temples and promoted Sanskrit and Marathi while continuing to employ Muslim soldiers and commanders in his navy and artillery[cite: 7].

Later Maratha Approach:

• Continued the patronage of religious centers, such as the restoration of the Jagannath Temple at Puri under the Bhonsles of Nagpur[cite: 7].
• Rulers like Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore rebuilt sacred sites, ghats, and pilgrim rests across India (Kashi, Gaya, Somnath)[cite: 7].
• However, extensive military campaigns and tax demands in later years sometimes placed burdens on local civilian populations[cite: 7].

Forts were central to Maratha administration, military strategy, and statehood[cite: 7]:

• Strategic Surveillance: Hilltop and coastal forts controlled trade corridors, mountain passes, and agricultural valleys[cite: 7].
• Administrative Depots: Served as secure treasuries, supply depots, armories, and troop headquarters[cite: 7].
• Defensive Havens: Offered safe refuge to civilian populations and troops during large-scale invasions, allowing the Marathas to withstand long sieges[cite: 7].

How they helped against larger armies: Natural cliff fortifications at Raigad, Sinhagad, and Pratapgad neutralized the heavy artillery and cavalry advantages of invading forces, enabling mobile Maratha units to wage prolonged guerrilla campaigns[cite: 7].

The Marathas' most important contribution was the practical realization of Swarajya—self-rule dedicated to the welfare of the people[cite: 7]. Under Shivaji, they showed that an indigenous polity could organize an effective administration, use terrain effectively in defense, build a coastal navy, and govern with justice and religious tolerance[cite: 7]. By becoming the dominant power in the 18th century and resisting foreign forces, the Marathas delayed colonial expansion and inspired cultural confidence, helping lay early foundations for India's national freedom movement[cite: 7].