NCERT Textbook_ social science part-1 Grade 8 The Rise of the Marathas - Part 1

Added: 2026-05-12

[00:00:02][music] [music] [music] Who were the maratas? How did they manage [music] to become the largest panindian power before the British took over? The Maratas are a group of people native to the Deacon Plateau, more specifically today's Maharashtra. They are identified with the language they speak that is Marathi which has had a rich and continuous literary history since the 12th century. In this lesson, we will see them rise as a powerful political entity that will alter the codes of India's history. During the 13th century, most of Maharashtra was ruled by the Yadhava dynasty with Dwagiri, now presented Dalatabad as its capital. In the early 14th century, the Yadav dynasty was overcome by the Kildi [music] Shultzet from Delhi. Amid such political changes, the cultural traditions continued. particularly those related to bhti. Between the 7th and 17th centuries for [music] spiritual upliftment, saints and seekers from several parts of India prefer the path of bacti to merely external ritualism.

[00:01:39]These scents coming from diverse sections of society composed devotional songs and poetry in the languages of the masses which allowed the messages to travel far and wide. During the medieval period, Maharashtra witnessed a significant social and cultural transformation shaped by the Bhti movement. Their teachings inspired a sense of unity and collective identity among the people. Within this vibrant spiritual atmosphere emerged saint poets like Daneshwar, Namdev, Tukara and Ramdas whose works deeply influenced Marathi culture and society. The 17th century marked a turbulent phase in the Deakan region characterized by political instability and frequent conflicts [music] among the Deakan sultterates.

[00:02:30]Amidst this backdrop of unrest and shifting alliances, a new power was destined to emerge in Maharashtra. It was during this period that Shivaji, the future founder of the Marata Empire was born. His early life and upbringing played a crucial role in shaping his vision, leadership and deep sense of justice for the people suffering under constant warfare and oppression. In 1630, Shivaji was born in the [music] Bhost clan to Shaji and Jijapai. At the time, Shaji served the Deacon Sultenates and was often away from his family.

[00:03:09]Meanwhile, in his Jagir at Pune, Shivaji grew up under the watchful eyes of Jijabai and some trusted officials receiving values and a good education.

[00:03:20]At this time the Pune region was deeply affected by constant infighting between the Deacon Sultans [music] whom the Maratas served which caused much hardship for the common people.

[00:03:32]Shivaji's reign marked a turning point in the history of India. Not only because he built a powerful regional kingdom but also because he introduced visionary, administrative and military innovations [music] that strengthened the Marata power. As his dominion gradually extended towards India's western coast, Shivaji realized the immense strategic and [music] economic importance of controlling the sea roots and coastal trade. To secure access to the wealth of the maritime regions, he undertook the pioneer step of establishing a strong naval force, a concept far ahead of its time. This move was revolutionary in the 17th century as few Indian rulers had given serious thought to building an organized navy.

[00:04:21]The Bijapur Sultanate under the Adulsha dynasty had merchant vessels for trade but lacked a dedicated novel fleet capable of defending the coastline or challenging foreign powers at sea. Even the mighty Mughal Empire with its vast landbased armies had only a limited naval force. In contrast, Shivaji envisioned the sea as a frontier of security and sovereignity and his initiative led to the birth of the Marata Navy which soon became famous for his discipline, strength and daring exploits along the Koken coast. At the same time, Shivaji developed a unique military strategy on land, the tactic of guerilla warfare.

[00:05:05]Understanding the rug terran of the western guards, he trained small, agile groups of soldiers to move swiftly, strike with precision and disappear before the enemy could retaliate. This strategy based on speed, surprise, and intimate knowledge of [music] the landscape enabled his comparatively smaller forces to triumph over much larger and better equipped armies.

[00:05:31]However, this success inevitably drew the attention and anger of the powerful Bijapur Sultanate which sought to crush the rising Marata power. The sultenate dispatched its seasonal general Absulka [music] to subdue Shivaji. Through a blend of courage, intelligence and strategic foresight, Shivaji turned this challenge into an opportunity. He cleverly persuaded Absal Khan to meet him personally at the foot of Prattabgur Fort a location surrounded by dense forest that favored the Marata tactics.

[00:06:09]During the fatal encounter, [music] Absal Khan attempted to attack Shivaji treacherously. But the Marata leader forewarned and wearing concealed armor defended himself and struck back with the Vagnak [music] killing the general.

[00:06:24]Following this dramatic dwell, the hidden Marada forces stationed strategically in the surrounding hills launched swift gorilla attacks on the Bijapur archmy. The result was a resounding victory for Shivaji, cementing his reputation as a brilliant strategist and fearless leader whose innovative warfare reshaped the courts of Deacon politics. Now what is a vagnak and how did Shivazi use it in his encounter with Absul Khan? The vagnak is a small consult weapon shaped like a tiger's claw designed to be owned on the hand for close combat. Shivaji used this weapon during his meeting with Absul Khan at the fort of Prattabgar fort.

[00:07:06]When Absul Khan attempted to attack him treacherously, Shivaji swiftly struck with the Vagnak fatally wounding the general and turning the encounter in his favor. Soon afterwards the Mughal nobleman Shista Khan invaded Shivaji's territories with [music] a big army for 3 years. Finally with only a few soldiers Shivaji raided Shastakhan's camp at night. The Khan barely escaped from the raid losing a few fingers and promptly left Maharashtra. As a retry action for the three years long wave of attacks, Shivaji sacked Surat, a wealthy port city of the Mughal Empire in present day Gujarat. There he obtained enormous treasures worth almost 1 cr of rupees, an extremely large sum for the time. However, he was careful not to attack religious places and even spared the house of Moandas Parik, a charitable man. He sacked Sudat again after a few years. This event became so famous that they appeared in the London Gazette, an English newspaper of the time which [music] confivi wrote to all European diplomatic agents in Surat demanding immediate presence of money failing which he would return and reign that city. The sacking of Surat was a great insult to the might and prestige of the Mughal Empire. Therefore, Oruranga, the then Mughal Empire, sent Jazzing, [music] a distinguished Rajput general to defeat Shivaji. Against him, Shivaji had to concede defeat at Purander Fort near Pune [music] and enter into a treaty. He had to give up a sizable part of his kingdom and his son Shambaji had to enter Mughal service. Shivazi was persuaded by Jazz Singh to visit the Mughal court at Agra where he was made to stand before Orurangazib and a Mughal general whom he had defeated earlier.

[00:09:08]Incensed at this insult, Shivaji stomped out of the court following which Orurangaz put him under house arrest. To escape this, Shivaji devised a strategy.

[00:09:18]He started distributing gifts to holy men and Mughal generals. The gifts often contain fruits and sweets packed in big baskets. The guards initially checked them but soon stopped doing so expecting this. Shivaji and his son Shambhaji hid themselves in the baskets and made their escape. Orangazape could never capture Shivaji again. A few years later in 1674, Shivaji was coronated with full Vic rights [music] at the strong and mountainous fortress of Ryer. His former title after the coronation was Shri Raja Shiva Chhatraati. He started his own era the Raja Visheka Shaka. After this Shivaji embarked upon a conquest of the south also referred to as the Dakshina Dvijay which included the important and then illdefended region of present day north Tamil Nadu parts of Karnataka.

[00:10:18]This southern extension later gave the Maratas great strategic depth against the Mughal invasion. A fever claimed Shivaji's life when he was 50. He was a master strategist and a true visionary and within his lifetime his exploits had become legendary across India and beyond. The Europeans compared him with ancient gender like Alexander and the Bundela prince Chhatrasal [music] was so inspired by Shivaji's struggle against the Mughals that he [music] managed to create an independent kingdom of Bundel Kand divided between the present day Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. After the death of Chhatrapati Shivaji, the Marata Empire faced a period of intense struggle and upheaval.

[00:11:05]The Mughal Emperor Orurangazib determined to bring the entire Deacon under his [music] control saw the Maradhas as the last major force standing in his way. What followed was a prolonged and bitter conflict between the Mughals and the Maratas marked by fierce battles, shifting alliances and immense sacrifices. It was during this turbulent time that Shambhaji Shivaji's elder son ascended the throne and took the formidable challenge of defending his father's legacy.

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