Marathas
Topic: The Marathas · NCERT: Class 8, Ch 3 "The Marathas"
Meaning
The Marathas were the people of the Deccan plateau, mostly present-day Maharashtra. Their language, Marathi, has a long written history going back to the 12th century. Bhakti saints such as Dnyaneshwar, Namdev, Tukaram and Ramdas gave them a strong shared culture. In the 17th century Shivaji united them into a kingdom, which later grew into the largest Indian empire before the British. They lost their power to the British after three Anglo-Maratha wars (1775–1818).
Example
In 1674 Shivaji was crowned Chhatrapati (king) at Raigad. Later, under the Peshwas (chief ministers), Maratha power reached as far as Lahore, Attock and even Peshawar. In 1771 Mahadji Shinde took back Delhi.
Don't confuse with
- Mughals: The Mughals were a north Indian empire ruled from Delhi and Agra. The Marathas rose in the Deccan and fought the Mughals, especially Aurangzeb.
- Rajputs: Rajput clans ruled mainly in Rajasthan. The Marathas came from Maharashtra and spoke Marathi.