UPSC Community Blog

Peshwa is a Persian word which means “Foremost” or the “First Minister”. Balaji Viswanath (1713 - 1720) Assisted the Maratha emperor Shahu. Kanhoji Angre  - powerful naval chief on the western coast. Support Tara bai during civil war. Peshwa convinced him and secure his loyalty to Shahu. Baji rao I (1720 - 1740) Balaji Viswanath, his son Baji Rao I was appointed Peshwa in 1720 by Shahu. Defeating the Nizam of Hyderabad, the Rajput Governor of Malwa and the Governor of Gujarat. Maratha got one third of the territories from its ruler. Peshwa assumed the office of the  commander-in-chief  also. Treaty of Warna  signed in 1731, Sambhaji of Kolhapur was forced to accept  sovereignty of Shahu. Thana, Salsette and Bassein were captured from the Portuguese in 1738. English made friendly right to free trade in the Deccan region Balaji Baji Rao (1740–1761) Nana Sahib, he proved to be a good administrator and an expert in handling financial matters. Carnatic Expedition Cha...

    Marathas during leadership of Shivaji,  Strong challenge to Mughal power during the 1670s  (Reason for Mughal decline). Maratha General  Venkoji  leading the Bijapur forces  invaded Thanjavur  and succeeded in  establishing Maratha rule in the Tamil region . Ruled thanjavur from 1674 to till death of Serfoji II in 1832. Rise of Maratha The degeneration of Bijapur and Golkonda prompted the Marathas to unite and fight together. The  Deccan wars against the Sultans of Bijapur, Golkonda and Ahmednagar  had exhausted the Mughal treasury. Shivaji rallied the Marathas who lay scattered in many parts of Deccan under his leadership and built a mighty kingdom, with  Raigad as the capital. Shivaji (1627-1680 CE) Son of Shahji Bhonsle by his first wife Jijabai. Born near Shivner near Junnar. Descendant. Yadava rulers of Devagiri from his mother’s side. Sisodias of Mewar on his father’s side. Shahji Bhonsle served under Malik Ambar (158...

  Crisis of the Empire and the Later Mughals Administrative and military efficiency of the Mughal Empire led to great economic and commercial prosperity. Mughal emperors and their  mansabdars  spent a great deal of their income on salaries and goods. Nobles appointed as governors (subadars) often controlled the offices of revenue and military administration (diwani and faujdari). Peasant and zamindari rebellions Wealthier peasantry and artisanal groups, the merchants and bankers profited in this economic world. Authority of the Mughal emperor slowly declined, his servants emerged as powerful centres of power in the regions. the ruler of Iran, Nadir Shah, sacked and plundered the city of Delhi in 1739 and took away immense amounts of wealth. Ahmad Shah Abdali successor of Nadir Shah, who invaded north India five times between 1748 and 1761. Different groups of nobles: Iranis and Turanis (nobles of Turkish descent). Emergence of New States States that were old Mughal provin...