Maratha dynasty facts for kids
The Maratha Empire was a powerful kingdom in India. It was founded by a great ruler named Chhatrapathi Shivaji Maharaj. He was known for his bravery and for building a strong Maratha nation.
After Shivaji Maharaj passed away in 1680, his son Shambhaji took over. However, the Mughal ruler Aurangzeb captured and killed Shambhaji. Aurangzeb also took Shambhaji's young son, Shahu, as a prisoner.
Later, Aurangzeb's successors released Shahu. Shahu then returned and became the ruler of the Maratha kingdom.
The Rise of the Peshwas
Shahu needed help to rule his large empire. He appointed a special official called the Peshwa. The Peshwa was like a Prime minister or a chief minister. They helped the king manage the government.
Over time, the Peshwas became very powerful. They slowly took over the real control of the Maratha Empire. Their position also became hereditary, meaning it passed down from father to son. This made the Peshwas the true leaders of the Marathas.
Maratha Capitals
When Shahu was the ruler, the capital city of the Maratha Empire was Satara. This was an important center for their government.
After Shahu's death, the capital city was moved. The new capital became Pune. Pune grew into a very important city under the Peshwas.
Expanding the Empire
Under the leadership of the Peshwas, the Marathas became very strong militarily. They launched many successful campaigns. Between the years 1720 and 1761, the Maratha Empire grew much larger.
In 1737, the Marathas even raided Delhi, a very important city. Their power spread far and wide. The Maratha Empire expanded into many regions, including Rajasthan, Punjab, Bengaluru, and Odisha.
Challenges and Conflicts
Even though the Marathas were powerful, their constant military campaigns caused problems. Other rulers in India became unfriendly towards them. These rulers felt threatened by the Maratha expansion.
Because of this hostility, many rulers did not support the Marathas. This lack of support was a big issue during the Third Battle of Panipat. It showed how their expansion had created enemies, not just allies.
