NCERT Class 8 Social Science Exploring Society India and Beyond Part 1 Chapter 03 The Rise of the Marathas PDF Download

Chapter 3: The Rise of the Marathas

Among the merchants, the hat-wearers like the Portuguese, the English, the Dutch, the French and the Danes also conduct trade. But they are not like other merchants.... They are fully intent on entering this land, increasing their territory and propagating their religion. They are obstinate people, and Navy and gunpowder are their chief weapons. Their traffic should be controlled, and they shouldn't be allowed to build strong buildings.

- Ramachandrapant Amatya, Adnyapatra (1715)

The Big Questions

1. Who were the Marathas? How did they manage to become the largest pan-Indian power before the British took over?
2. What were some features of their governance?
3. What impact did the Maratha Empire leave in Indian history?

[Figure 3.1: Raigad Fort, Maharashtra, with the grand entrance to the palace where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was crowned in 1674, marking the formal beginning of the Maratha Empire, See in your textbook]

Who are the Marathas?

The Marathas are a group of people native to the Deccan plateau, more specifically present-day Maharashtra. They are identified with the language they speak - Marathi - which has had a rich and continuous literary history since the 12th century. In this chapter, we will see them rise as a powerful political entity that will alter the course of India's history.

Literary history: The historical development of writings in prose or poetry in a particular language.

During the 13th century, most of Maharashtra was ruled by the Yadava dynasty with Devagiri (present-day Daulatabad) as its capital. In the early 14th century, the Yadava dynasty was overcome by the Khilji Sultanate from Delhi.

Teacher's Note

The Marathas did not suddenly appear as a power in the 1600s. Remember that they were already living in Maharashtra for centuries with their own language, culture and traditions. What changed was that they organized themselves politically under leaders like Chhatrapati Shivaji. Look at the timeline: notice the gap between the Yadava dynasty (13th century) and Shivaji's rise (1646). Understanding this timeline helps you see how long it took for the Marathas to become a major force.

[Figure 3.2: Timeline showing key events from 1630 to 1720, including the birth of Chhatrapati Shivaji in 1630, founding of the Maratha navy in 1657, his coronation at Raigad in 1674, and his death in 1680, See in your textbook]

[Figure 3.3: Sant Ramdas, See in your textbook]

[Figure 3.4: Postal stamp showing Sant Tukaram, See in your textbook]

Amidst such political changes, the cultural traditions continued, particularly those related to bhakti (devotion to the divine or a particular deity). Between the 7th and the 17th centuries, for spiritual upliftment, saints and seekers from several parts of India preferred the path of bhakti to merely external ritualism. These saints, coming from diverse sections of society, composed devotional songs and poetry in the languages of the masses, which allowed their messages to travel far and wide.

Let's Explore

Have you ever heard the term 'bhakti'? What does it mean to you? Choose a bhakti saint from any part of India and learn about their life, their teachings, and the message they shared. You can also find one of their poems or bhajans and share it with your classmates.

Teacher's Note

Bhakti is not just a religious concept - it shaped the society that produced the Maratha leaders. When you study the Marathas, keep in mind that spiritual and devotional movements created a shared cultural identity among people. This sense of common identity made it easier for the Marathas to unite and build their empire later. In exam questions, if asked about Maratha society, you can mention this bhakti connection to show how culture and politics are linked.

[Figure: Timeline showing key events from 1750 to 1840, including the beginning of Maratha control over Delhi in 1754, the First Anglo-Maratha War (1775-1782) won by the Marathas, the Battle of Panipat in 1761 (Maratha defeat), and the Third Anglo-Maratha War in 1818 (end of Maratha power), See in your textbook]

Key Points

• The Marathas were a people from the Deccan plateau who spoke Marathi and had a rich cultural and literary tradition dating back to the 12th century.
• Before their rise to power, Maharashtra was ruled by the Yadava dynasty in the 13th century, which was later conquered by the Khilji Sultanate.
• Bhakti movements, which emphasized devotion and spiritual upliftment, became an important cultural force in India between the 7th and 17th centuries and influenced Maratha society.
• The Maratha Empire formally began with Chhatrapati Shivaji's coronation at Raigad in 1674, after he started his rule in 1646.
• The Marathas eventually became a major pan-Indian power but faced decline after facing defeats, including the Battle of Panipat in 1761 and the Third Anglo-Maratha War in 1818.

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