Maharashtra Board Class 7 History Chapter 12 Progression of the Empire PDF Download

Progression Of The Empire

Till now we have learnt about the rise of the Maratha power and its expansion. We studied the developments from the foundation of the Swaraj till its expansion into an empire. In this chapter, we take a brief review of the Sardar families, who gave their valuable contribution for expanding the Maratha kingdom in the northern parts of India.

The Holkars Of Indore

Malharrao was the founder of the Holkar rule at Indore. He served the Maratha state for a long time. He was well-versed in guerrilla warfare. He proved his valour in the northern campaigns of the Marathas at the time of Bajirao I and Nanasaheb Peshwa. He was instrumental in establishing the Maratha supremacy in Malwa and Rajputana. He proved to be of great help to Peshwa Madhavrao in reviving the Maratha prestige in the North after the defeat at Panipat.

Punyashloka Ahilyabai Holkar was the wife of Khanderao, who was Malharrao's son. Khanderao died in the battle of Kumbheri. After a few days, Malharrao also passed away. After him, Ahilyabai assumed the reins of the Indore administration. She was a capable, astute and excellent administrator. She made new laws for agricultural cess, revenue collection etc. and put the affairs of the State in order. She strove to bring more land under cultivation, digging wells for farmers, promoting trade and industry, building lakes and tanks.

She built temples, Ghats, Maths, Dharamshalas, drinking water facilities at all important places of pilgrimage in the four quarters of India. This effort of hers was important for the cultural integration of the country. She looked into judicial matters personally and dispensed justice. She was very generous. She had great love of books. She ruled ably for twenty-eight years and enhanced the Maratha prestige in the North. She brought peace and order to her Kingdom and made her people happy. Yashwantrao Holkar tried to save the Maratha Kingdom when it was on the decline.

Teacher's Note

Ahilyabai Holkar was like a mother to her people. She built wells and temples just like how our government builds schools and hospitals for us today.

Exam Trick

Remember: Ahilyabai = woman leader who was very smart. She did many good works like building temples and wells. This shows she was kind and wise.

Points To Remember

Ahilyabai Holkar was a great woman leader of Indore.
She built temples, wells, and water tanks for people.
She made new laws for farming and money collection.
She ruled for twenty-eight years with peace and order.
She loved books and gave justice to people fairly.

The Bhosales Of Nagpur

Parasoji was given the jagir of Varhad and Gondawan during the reign of Shahu Maharaj. Among the Bhosales of Nagpur, Raghuji was the bravest and the most capable. He brought the area surrounding Tirucherapalli and Arcot in the South under Maratha dominance. Shahu Maharaj had assigned to him the chauthai rights of Bengal, Bihar and Odisha. He brought these territories under the Maratha dominance. In 1751 CE the Bhosales of Nagpur won the Odisha territory from Ali Vardi Khan. Till 1803 CE Marathas dominated Odisha.

The Maratha ditch - The British at Kolkata used to fear the Bhosales from Nagpur. So, to protect the city of Kolkata from a possible Maratha attack, they dug a ditch around the city. That ditch came to be known as the Maratha ditch.

Teacher's Note

Raghuji Bhosale was so strong that the British got scared. They even dug a big ditch around Kolkata to protect themselves. This shows how powerful the Marathas were.

Exam Trick

Remember: Maratha ditch = British's fear! The British dug a ditch because they were afraid of the Bhosales. This is an easy way to remember this story.

Points To Remember

Raghuji Bhosale was the bravest leader of the Bhosales.
He brought many areas under Maratha control.
He won Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha territories.
The British were so scared of him that they dug a ditch around Kolkata.
The Marathas controlled Odisha until 1803 CE.

The Shindes Of Gwalior

Bajirao I had rightly judged the capabilities of Ranoji Shinde and made him a Sardar in the North. After Ranoji's death, his sons Jayappa, Dattaji and Mahadji, too, proved their valour and strengthened the Maratha rule in North India.

Peshwa Madhavrao conferred the family title on Mahadji. Mahadji was a brave General and an astute statesman. Mahadji was instrumental in re-establishing the Maratha supremacy and prestige in North India after the Maratha defeat at Panipat. He realised that the guerilla tactics of the Marathas would not be suitable for the warfare in the plains of the North. He trained his army and modernised his artillery under the guidance of a French military expert de Boigne. With the help of this trained army, he subdued the Rohillas, the Jats, the Rajputs and the Bundellas.

The British began to take interest in the politics at Delhi, when they felt that the Marathas might have become weak after the battle of Panipat. They managed to get Diwani rights of Bengal province and wanted to capture the Emperor of Delhi. In these adverse circumstances, Mahadji Shinde defeated the British and reinstated the Emperor on the throne. The emperor was pleased with his bravery and conferred the title of 'Vakil – i – Mutlak (Chief agent of the emperor) upon him, which meant that he had the authority of civil and military rights. He accepted that position on behalf of the minor Peshwa Savai Madhavrao. Due to this, the Marathas gained full control of the Empire. It was very difficult to save the tottering empire. Mahadji managed the difficult affairs with strong determination and looked after the Delhi affairs during 1784 CE to 1794 CE.

The heirs of Najib Khan, responsible for the Panipat battle, were still plotting against the Marathas in Rohilkhand. Najib's grandson Ghulam Kadir captured the Red Fort and tortured the Emperor and his begums for their wealth. He gouged out the Emperor's eyes and took hold of the royal treasure. In these circumstances, Mahadji defeated Kadir. He confiscated the wealth from him and returned it to the emperor. He reinstated the Emperor on the throne of Delhi. Thus, Mahadji recovered the Maratha prestige which was lost after the battle of Panipat. He controlled the politics of India by putting the Emperor under Maratha control.

Due to the family feuds amongst the Peshwas, Raghunathrao opted to go to the British camp. He wanted to become a Peshwa with the help of the British. It was not acceptable to the Maratha Statesmen. This led to an inevitable conflict between the Marathas and the British. The conflict between the two great powers. The Marathas and the British would finally decide who the ruler of India would be. From Mumbai, the British marched on the Marathas via Borghat. The Maratha army gathered under the leadership of Mahadaji Shinde. The Marathas blocked the supply of foodgrains to the British, using guerrilla tactics. Both the armies met at Wadgaon (on today's Pune-Mumbai Road). The British were defeated in this battle and were forced to surrender the custody of Raghunathrao to the Marathas.

Delhi was under Maratha control till 1803 CE. When we note that the British conquered India after battling with the Marathas, we understand the importance of Mahadaji's achievements. After setting in order, the affairs of Delhi, Mahadaji came to Pune. He died at Wanawadi near Pune where a memorial is built to him.

Teacher's Note

Mahadji Shinde was very smart. He learned new ways to fight from the French. He saved Delhi and made the Emperor listen to the Marathas, just like how a good leader protects his country.

Exam Trick

Remember: Mahadji = clever general who used modern weapons. He defeated the British and put the Emperor back on the throne. This shows he was both smart and brave.

Points To Remember

Mahadji Shinde was the most important leader of the Shindes.
He learned modern warfare from a French expert named de Boigne.
He defeated the British and brought the Emperor back to power in Delhi.
He was called Vakil-i-Mutlak, which means Chief Agent of the Emperor.
He controlled India's politics by keeping the Emperor under Maratha control.

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