Who are the Marathas native to?
The Deccan plateau, especially present-day Maharashtra.
Since when has Marathi had a rich literary history?
Since the 12th century.
When did bhakti saints compose devotional songs in popular languages?
Between the 7th and 17th centuries.
What was the social background of bhakti saints composing devotional songs?
They came from diverse social groups.
What did bhakti saints use to spread their messages widely?
Devotional songs and poetry in popular languages.
Which saints made the Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita accessible in Maharashtra?
Dnyaneshwar, Namdev, Tukaram, and Ramdas.
How did saints in Maharashtra make sacred texts accessible?
By translating important texts into Marathi.
In which year was Chhatrapati Shivaji born?
1630
To which clan did Chhatrapati Shivaji belong?
The Bhonsle clan
Who were Chhatrapati Shivaji's parents?
Shahji and Jijabai
At what age did Shivaji start consolidating the Pune region?
At age 16
How did Shivaji consolidate the Pune region?
By capturing neglected or unoccupied forts and strengthening defences
What is Swarajya?
Chhatrapati Shivaji’s vision of a sovereign kingdom
What aspects did Swarajya involve?
Political, economic, and cultural independence
What defines guerrilla warfare tactics?
Small groups use speed, surprise, and terrain knowledge to defeat larger armies.
Why did Chhatrapati Shivaji establish the Maratha Navy?
To secure access to west coast resources.
What was revolutionary about the Maratha Navy's establishment?
Bijapur had merchant ships but no coastal defense, and Mughal navy was limited.
How did Shivaji kill Afzal Khan at Pratapgad?
During a one-on-one meeting.
What happened after Afzal Khan's death at Pratapgad?
Hidden Maratha forces routed the Bijapur army through guerrilla attacks.
How did Shivaji raid Shaista Khan’s camp?
At night with only a few soldiers.
What was the result of Shivaji's raid on Shaista Khan’s camp?
Shaista Khan lost fingers and left Maharashtra.
What treasure did Shivaji obtain after sacking Surat?
Treasure worth almost one crore rupees.
Which places did Shivaji spare when sacking Surat?
Religious places and the house of Mohandas Parekh.
How did Shivaji escape house arrest at Agra?
By hiding in baskets of fruits and sweets.
Who escaped with Shivaji from house arrest at Agra?
Sambhaji.
In which year was Shivaji coronated with full Vedic rites?
1674.
What formal title did Shivaji adopt at his coronation?
Shri Raja Shiva Chhatrapati.
Which regions did the dakshina-digvijaya extend Shivaji’s power into?
Northern Tamil Nadu and parts of Karnataka.
What strategic advantage did the dakshina-digvijaya provide the Marathas?
Strategic depth against Mughal invasion.
Who became Chhatrapati immediately after Shivaji's death?
Sambhaji became Chhatrapati after Shivaji's death.
What happened to Rajaram after he succeeded Sambhaji?
Rajaram fled to Gingee after succeeding Sambhaji.
Who led major incursions into Mughal territories after Rajaram?
Tarabai led major incursions into Mughal territories.
What was Aurangzeb's fate regarding Sambhaji?
Aurangzeb captured and executed Sambhaji.
Did Aurangzeb succeed in subduing the Marathas before his death?
No, Aurangzeb died without subduing the Marathas.
How did the Maratha state change after Shivaji's time?
It became more decentralised with chiefs gaining autonomy.
Who gained influence over the Chhatrapati in the later Maratha state?
The Peshwa acquired influence over the Chhatrapati.
When were the three Anglo-Maratha wars fought?
They were fought between 1775 and 1818.
What did Shivaji abolish to limit officials' independent power?
Hereditary posts and land assignments.
How were Shivaji's officials paid?
From the state treasury.
What practice did Shivaji use to prevent officials from gaining too much power?
Periodically transferring them.
How did Shivaji support widows of soldiers killed in battle?
By giving them pensions.
What opportunity did Shivaji offer to sons of deceased soldiers?
Military posts.
What was the aṣhtapradhana mandala?
Shivaji’s council of eight ministers.
What two taxes did the Marathas levy on provinces outside direct rule?
Chauth at 25% and sardeshmukhi at 10%.
Why did the Marathas levy chauth and sardeshmukhi on outside provinces?
For protection and non-interference in internal administration.
What three branches made up the Maratha armed forces?
Infantry, cavalry, and navy.
What distinguished bārgīr cavalry soldiers from shiledārs?
Bārgīrs had horses and equipment paid for by the state, shiledārs paid themselves.
Why were Maratha forts considered the core of the state?
They enabled survival during invasions by controlling routes and sheltering armies.
What new weapon did the Marathas use by 1770 besides swords and guns?
Metal-tube rockets.
How did Kanhoji Angre's navy win battles despite less advanced ships?
By using geography and tactics.
What was the panchayat in Maratha society?
A local gathering of officials and prominent men delivering justice.
To whom could appeals be made from the panchayat?
A Maratha chief.
Which distant ports did Maratha trade networks reach?
Mocha in Yemen, Muscat in Oman, and Malacca in Malaysia.
What types of cargo did Maratha trade networks carry?
Gold and textiles.
Who promoted Marathi and Sanskrit through the Rājya-Vyavahāra-Koṣha?
Chhatrapati Shivaji.
What was the purpose of the Rājya-Vyavahāra-Koṣha?
To supply Sanskrit equivalents for Persian diplomatic terms.
Who organised Maratha armies against the Mughals after Rajaram's death?
Tarabai organised the Maratha armies.
How long did Ahilyabai Holkar govern after losing her husband and son?
She governed for thirty years.
What industries did Ahilyabai Holkar promote during her rule?
She promoted the Maheshwar weaving industry.
What event began Maratha rule in Thanjavur in the late 17th century?
Ekoji’s conquest of Thanjavur began Maratha rule.
Which cultures combined to form the syncretic culture under Maratha Thanjavur?
Tamil, Telugu, and Marathi cultures combined.
What arts did Serfoji II patronise and support?
He patronised musicians and supported Carnatic music and early Bharatanatyam.
What medical institution did Serfoji II establish for free treatment?
He established the Dhanwantari Mahal.
What empire did the Marathas establish before the British?
The largest Indian empire before the British.
Test your knowledge with 25 questions on The Rise and Legacy of the Marathas.
1. What was the outcome of Aurangzeb’s long conflict with the Marathas?
2. What did Shivaji begin doing at the age of sixteen to consolidate the Pune region?
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