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Take a look at the essential events, concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up your knowledge. Here’s your knowledge nugget for today.
(Relevance: The Maratha Empire is an important topic in the UPSC CSE syllabus. In the past, UPSC has asked various questions related to the Maratha Empire. For example, in the Prelims exam of the Combined Geo-Scientist 2025, a question was asked on this topic. Therefore, it is essential to familiarise yourself with the key figures and battles associated with the Maratha Empire.)
Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandanna’s historical drama Chhaava hit theatres on February 14, 2025, and has been a box office sensation ever since. The movie is an adaptation of Shivaji Sawant’s Marathi novel of the same name. But why should UPSC aspirants take note of this movie?
Because Chhaava isn’t just another historical drama—it presents the life and legacy of Sambhaji Maharaj, the valiant son of Chhatrapati Shivaji. His reign, policies, military strategies, and resistance against the Mughals are crucial aspects of modern Indian history, polity, and culture, making it a relevant topic for UPSC Prelims and Mains.
1. The eldest son of the celebrated Maratha emperor, Chhatrapati Shivaji, Sambhaji Maharaj was the second ruler of the kingdom after his father’s death. In his short rule spanning nine years, Sambhaji gained recognition for his valour and patriotism. He continues to be celebrated, particularly in Maharashtra, as the ruler who chose death over conversion.
2. He ruled from 1681 to 1689. His rule was largely shaped by the ongoing wars between the Marathas and the Mughal Empire, Siddi of Janjira, Wadiyars of Mysore, and the Portuguese Empire.
3. Among the major military campaigns launched by Sambhaji Maharaj was the attack on Burhanpur, an important Mughal city in present-day Madhya Pradesh and a trading centre. Sambhaji had planned the attack, being aware of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s plans to expand into the Deccan. Sambhaji’s attack came as a huge blow for the Mughals.
4. Multiple battles took place between the two sides from 1682 and 1688. While the Mughals wanted control over forts held by Marathas, they were not successful.
1. In the autumn of 1687, the Mughal and Maratha forces faced each other in the dense forests near Wai and Mahabaleshwar in Deccan India.
2. The Maratha commander-in-chief, and one of the most important supporters of Sambhaji, Hambirrao Mohite, was killed in the Battle of Wai. While the Marathas were victorious in the battle, the execution of Mohite, came a blow to them, and a large number of Maratha troops began deserting Sambhaji. In January 1689, the latter was captured by Mughal forces.
3. There are various historical accounts regarding what happened next, but nearly all indicate that Sambhaji was asked to surrender all his forts and treasures, and ultimately to convert to Islam. Sambhaji refused to comply with these demands and as result was put to a torturous death.
Ashtapradhan (Council of Eight) was a group of eight ministers responsible for governing the Maratha Kingdom. This system was established by Shivaji. It included:
1. Peshwa: The Prime Minister responsible for overseeing the entire administration.
2. Amatya: The Finance Minister, in charge of managing the Empire’s accounts.
3. Shurunavis: The Secretary who prepared royal orders.
4. Mantri: The Interior Minister, responsible for overseeing internal affairs and intelligence.
5. Sari-i-Naubat or Senapati: The Commander-in-Chief, in charge of the military and defense.
6. Sumant: The Foreign Minister, tasked with managing relationships with other rulers.
| Shivaji’s famous guerilla tactics |
| Shivaji’s forces faced key limitations: fewer troops and horses than his enemies, especially early on, and reliance on European supplies like muskets and gunpowder, weakening his position in conventional battles. Thus, Shivaji adopted guerilla tactics. Through this tactic, Shivaji men would travel in small, highly mobile and heavily armed attachments, wreak havoc in the often sluggish Mughal or Adil Shahi armies, loot supplies and treasure, and quickly retreat. |
7. Nyay Adhyaksh: The Chief Justice, handling civil and criminal justice.
8. Panditrao: The High Priest, responsible for managing religious matters.
Additionally, Chitnis served as the Personal Secretary to the Chhatrapati, acting as a senior writer and often seen as second to the Peshwa in their absence.
| Battles | Description |
| Battle of Pratapgarh (1659) | Fought between Marathas and Adilshahi forces |
| Battle of Kolhapur (1659) | Fought between the Maratha king Shivaji and the Adilshahi forces |
| Battle of Surat (1664) | Fought between Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Inayat Khan, a Mughal captain. |
| Battle of Purandar (1665) | Fought between the Maratha and the Mughal Empire |
| Battle of Salher (1672) | Fought between the Maratha Empire and the Mughal Empire |
| Battle of Sangamner (1679) | Fought between the Mughal Empire and Maratha Empire. This was the last battle fought by Shivaji. |
| First Anglo-Maratha War (1775-82) | The war ended with the Treaty of Salbai 1782. |
| Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803-05) | Treaty of Bassein (1802) – Signed between Peshwa Baji Rao II and the British East India Company. Treaty of Deogaon (1803) – Signed between Raghuji Bhonsle II of Nagpur and Sir Arthur Wellesley of the British East India Company |
| Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817-19) | Some important treaties were signed. These were: Treaty of Poona (with the Peshwa), Treaty of Gwalior (with Sindhia), Treaty of Mandasor (with Holkar). |
(1) Among the Ashtapradhans of Shivaji, who among the following did not hold any military commands besides civil duties? ( Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) Examination, 2025)
1. Peshwa
2. Amatya
3. Sumanta
4. Pandit Rao
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 4 only
(d) 4 only
(2) Chronologically arrange the following treaties/conventions signed between the Marathas and the British (starting with the earliest): (CDS Exam (I) 2021)
1. Treaty of Salbai
2. Treaty of Purandar
3. Convention of Wadgaon
4. Treaty of Surat
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 4-2-3-1
(b) 4-3-2-1
(c) 1-3-2-4
(d) 1-2-3-4
| Answer Key |
| 1. (d) 2. (a) |
(References: Before Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava, know the real story of Sambhaji Maharaj, Sambhaji Maharaj: Chhatrapati Shivaji’s son whose valour spurred the Marathas)
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