Maharashtra Board Class 11 History Chapter 16 Swarajya to Empire Maratha period PDF Download

Swarajya to Empire (Maratha Period)

Alauddin Khalji defeated the Yadavas of Devgiri and the rule of Delhi Sultans began in south India. After Khalji, the Tughluq and Bahamani kingdoms ruled over Maharashtra. Later Bahamani kingdom was disintegrated into five parts. Among them, Nizamshahi and Adilshahi ruled parts of Maharashtra. The Mughals turn their attention to south India. As a result, Nizamshahi came to an end. This was the general political scenario during 17th century, when Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj established Swarajya marking the rise of Maratha power.

Contribution of Sants

Superstition and rituals ruled at large in the medieval Indian society. People had become fatalistic and inert. The condition of the common people was miserable. These were the times when the sants in Maharashtra made efforts to bring the masses back to life.

In Maharashtra, the tradition of sants, which began with Chakradhar Swami, Sant Namdev, Sant Dnyaneshwar, Sant Eknath, Sant Tukaram and Samarth Ramdas. It was continued by sants coming from various strata of the society. For example Sant Chokhamela, Sant Goroba, Sant Sawata, Sant Narhari, Sant Sena, Sant Shaikh Muhammad etc. Similarly women sants such as Sant Nirmalaba, Sant Muktabai, Sant Janabai, Sant Kanhopatra and Sant Bahinabai Siurkar also belong to this period.

The sants, created a sense of belonging among people toward their native region, language, literature, and culture. They gave message of equality to people. Their teachings were based on the principles of humanity. They preached harmonious community life, unity and love. Their efforts created social awakening. Their teaching helped people to survive situations like foreign invasions, draughts or other natural calamities. Their devotional songs became a source of a great moral support for people. Their work created a sense of self-esteem among the people of Maharashtra.

Teacher's Note

The sants taught people to be strong and help each other. Just like how today's social workers help poor people in villages, these sants helped common people during bad times.

Exam Trick

Remember: Sants = Social workers of old times. They gave messages of equality and unity to fight superstitions.

Points to Remember

Sants taught equality and humanity to all people.
They helped people survive invasions and natural disasters.
Their songs gave moral support and self-esteem.
They created social awakening in Maharashtra.
Famous sants included Tukaram, Ramdas, and Namdev.

Foundation and Expansion of Swarajya

In the first half of the 17th century, Nizamshahi and Adilshahi had established their rule in Maharashtra. Many eminent Maratha sardars flourished under their rule. They held Jahagirs in the remote regions of the Sahyadris. The difficult terrain of Sahyadri allowed them to operate independently. Shahajiraje Bhosale was a prominent sardar in the Nizamshahi kingdom. After the end of Nizamshahi rule, he accepted the rank of a Mansabdar in the Adilshahi court. Shahajiraje was valiant, courageous, wise and well-versed in the science of statehood. He had successfully handled many Adilshahi expeditions in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The provinces of Pune, Supe, Shirwal, Indapur and Chakan were given to Shahajiraje as Jahagir. He personally aspired to establish Swarajya. He is regarded as the visionary of Swarajya.

He sent his son Shivajiraje and his wife, Veermata Jijabai from Bengaluru to Pune along with his loyal and capable associates. Veermata Jijabai encouraged Shivaji Maharaj to fulfil the dream of Shahajiraje of establishing Swarajya. She was a visionary and an efficient administrator. She constantly guided her son in the mission of establishing Swarajya and provided him with excellent education necessary for the king of Swarajya.

The concept of Swarajya was visualised by Shahajiraje and it was turned into reality by Shivaji Maharaj. Shivaji Maharaj laid the foundation of Swarajya from the Mawal region. Several factors like topography of Maharashtra, valour of the local Mawalas, the administrative and military experience gained by the Maratha sardars while working with Nizamshahi and Adilshahi and above all these the able leadership of Shivaji Maharaj could make it possible.

After joining the Adilshahi court, Shahaji Maharaj entrusted the administration of his Jahagirs at Pune, Shirwal and Supe region (pargana) to Shivaji Maharaj. Yet the forts located in those Jahagirs and nearby areas were in the custody of Adilshahi court. The one 'who owns the forts owns the land' was the ruling of the day. Hence Shivaji Maharaj began with capturing the forts in the vicinity of his jahagirs. He took over the fort of Torana and laid the foundation of Swarajya. Shivaji Maharaj established the first capital of Swarajya at the fort of Rajgad. Chandrarao More proved to be a hindrance in Shivaji Maharaj's efforts to create Swarajya. Shivaji Maharaj successfully took over Javali. After this victory the activities of Shivaji Maharaj in Konkan were escalated. Realising the danger of the increasing activities of Shivaji Maharaj, the Bijapur court sent their powerful General Afzalkhan to curb the increasing power of Shivaji Maharaj.

Shivaji Maharaj had anticipated the intentions of Afzalkhan, who had taken up the challenge of killing Shivaji Maharaj. He met Afzalkhan at Pratapgad. As expected Afzalkhan attempted treachery but Shivaji Maharaj was well prepared and killed Afzalkhan in self defence. Afzalkhan's huge army was set on the run and huge booty and weapons were collected left behind by them. This made Swarajya's treasury richer.

For Additional Information

The Mawal region is a mountaineous terrain and is not easily accessible. The vallyes at the foot of Sahyadri ranges in Maharashtra are known as 'Mawal' and the local people of Mawal are known as 'Mawalas'. The Mawalas in the army of Shivajiraje played a great role in establishing Swarajya. Shivaji Maharaj had created a feeling of trust and affection in their minds. Shivaji Maharaj set himself on the task of establishing Swarajya with the support of these Mawalas. Many of his close associates like Kanhoji Jedhe, Tanaji Malusare, Netoji Palkar, Baji Pasalkar, Baji Prabhu Deshpande, Murarbaji Deshpande etc. were from the Mawal region.

Teacher's Note

Shivaji Maharaj used the local Mawal people to build Swarajya. Just like today a leader uses local people's help to build villages and towns, Shivaji used Mawalas' courage and skill.

Exam Trick

Remember: Shahajiraje = visionary (dreamer). Shivaji = maker (builder). Shahajiraje dreamed, Shivaji made it real.

Points to Remember

Shahajiraje Bhosale was the visionary of Swarajya.
Shivaji Maharaj turned that vision into reality.
Veermata Jijabai was Shivaji's guide and teacher.
Mawalas from mountains helped build Swarajya.
Shivaji started by capturing forts from Bijapur rulers.

Maratha War of Independence

After the death of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was coronated as the king of Swarajya. During his reign, a constant conflict continued with the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Aurangzeb's rebellious son Akbar had established friendly relations with Sambhaji Maharaj. Enraged by this Aurangzeb came down to Deccan along with a huge army and able sardars, who were veterans of warfare. For the next 25 years he camped in Maharashtra and fought against the Marathas. But he could not succeed in destroying the Swarajya. Aurangzeb killed Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj in a very cruel manner (11th March 1689). Aurangzeb hoped that the Maratha power will be weakened with Sambhaji Maharaj's death but it did not happen. Instead the Marathas unitedly fought against the Mughals and expanded their rule.

After Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj took over the reins at Raigad. Aurangzeb sent Zulfikar Khan to seize the fort of Raigad. Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj, Maharani Tarabai, Maharani Yesubai (Queen of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj) and her son Prince Shahu were staying on Rajgad. All the Maratha royalties, thus staying at one place was dangerous. It would have been strategic to fight the Mughals from two places at a time. Hence, Maharani Yesubai asked Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj to leave for Jinji. Maharani Yesubai herself stayed back at Raigad and continue to fight. In 1689 C.E., the Mughals succeeded in taking charge of Raigad. Maharani Yesubai and Prince Shahu were arrested and sent to Delhi. Maharani Yesubai remained in captivity of the Mughals for next thirty years.

While leaving for Jinji, Rajaram Maharaj entrusted Ramchandrapant Amatya, Shankaraji Narayan Sachiv, Santaji Ghorpade and Dhanaji Jadhav with the responsibility of defending Raigad. The guerrilla tactics of Santaji and Dhanaji proved the large scale artillery and huge cannons of the Mughals to be of little use. Despite of holding very few assets the Marathas continued to create havoc for the Mughals. Rajaram Maharaj safeguarded Swarajya in these trying times. This was a great task in itself and a great success of Rajaram Maharaj.

After the death of Rajaram Maharaj (March, 1700 C.E.), his wife Maharani Tarabai continued to fight against Aurangzeb. Maharani Tarabai led the Swarajya movement under extremely unfavourable conditions. She single-handedly took charge of the administration and fought for Swarajya for twenty five years with the help of her sardars. At times, the Marathas had to fight the Mughals on lands beyond the boundaries of Swarajya, but she did not stop them. This was an indication that the scenario of the war was changing. The Maratha War of Independence was a tussle between the Mughal ambition of expanding their Empire and the desire of independence cherished by the Marathas. Finally the death of Aurangzeb put an end to this fighting. In the beginning, the Mughal rulers adopted an aggresive policy while the Maratha policy remained that of defence. But by the second half of the 18th century, this condition changed. With the weakening of Mughal power, the Marathas could extend their rule almost all over India.

Teacher's Note

Even after Shivaji died, the Marathas kept fighting Aurangzeb for 25 more years. This shows their unity and courage, just like how freedom fighters kept fighting for India's freedom.

Exam Trick

Remember: Sambhaji = short reign and died. Rajaram = strategic retreat. Tarabai = women power fighting 25 years alone. All three kept Swarajya alive.

Points to Remember

Sambhaji Maharaj fought Aurangzeb for 25 years before dying.
Rajaram Maharaj used strategy and retreated to Jinji.
Maharani Tarabai fought alone for 25 years as a woman leader.
Guerrilla tactics helped small forces defeat big armies.
Aurangzeb's death ended the war and showed Maratha strength.

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