Marathas and Shivaji

 Marathas and Shivaji

Key Pointers

• Shivaji (1630–80): Born at Shivneri to Shahaji Bhonsle and Jijabai; tutor Dadoji Konddev; captured Torna (1646).
• Key events:
  • Killed Afzal Khan of Bijapur at Pratapgarh (1659).
  • Shaista Khan attacked in Pune (1663); Surat sacked (1664, 1670).
  • Treaty of Purandar (1665) with Jai Singh: surrendered 23 forts.
  • Visit to Aurangzeb at Agra (1666); escaped.
  • Coronation at Raigad (1674) as Chhatrapati; title Haindava Dharmoddharak.
  • Karnataka expedition (1677–78); died in 1680.
• Ashtapradhan (council of eight ministers): Peshwa (prime minister), Amatya/Mazumdar (finance), Mantri/Waqia Navis (records), Sachiv/Surnavis (correspondence), Sumant/Dabir (foreign affairs), Senapati (military), Pandit Rao (religion), Nyayadhish (justice).
• Revenue: Land measurement and assessment (approx. 2/5 of produce initially), direct collection through state officials rather than jagirs. Chauth (1/4 of revenue) and Sardeshmukhi (additional 10%) collected from neighbouring territories.
• Navy: Established under Shivaji; Kanhoji Angre later led it.
• Successors: Sambhaji (executed 1689 by Aurangzeb), Rajaram (Jinji), Tarabai, Shahu (released 1707; Peshwa supremacy).
• Peshwas: Balaji Vishwanath (1713–20) secured the 1719 treaty with the Sayyid brothers; Baji Rao I (1720–40); Balaji Baji Rao (Nanasaheb, 1740–61); Third Panipat (1761) damaged Maratha power.
• Confederacy: Holkar (Indore), Scindia (Gwalior), Gaekwad (Baroda), Bhonsle (Nagpur).
• End: The three Anglo-Maratha Wars (1775–82, 1803–05, 1817–19) ended Peshwa rule in 1818.

MCQs

Q1. The Treaty of Purandar (1665) was signed between Shivaji and: (a) Aurangzeb (b) Jai Singh (c) Shaista Khan (d) Afzal Khan Answer: (b).

Q2. In Shivaji's Ashtapradhan, the Senapati was in charge of: (a) Finance (b) Justice (c) Military affairs (d) Religious affairs Answer: (c).

Q3. Who among the following signed the 1719 arrangement with the Sayyid brothers, securing chauth and sardeshmukhi? (a) Baji Rao I (b) Balaji Vishwanath (c) Shahu (d) Rajaram Answer: (b). Balaji Vishwanath negotiated it with Hussain Ali Khan.