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In this episode, Prathamesh Godbole and Amit Paranjpe discuss the Maratha empire – spanning from its humble origins as a Jagir of Adilshahi to the largest power in the subcontinent before the British conquest. We discuss the great maratha rulers Shivaji Raje, Sambhaji Raje and the Peshwas.
Postscript (from Omar): At 1 hour 27 minutes on the youtube recording I was asked how they are perceived in Pakistan and i went on about their role against Tipu, but I should have mentioned Panipat first. THAT is, of course, taught as a great Muslim victory, but without too much background information.
References:
English
Solstice at Panipat, Era of Bajirao, Epoch of Nanasaheb Peshwa, Mastery of Hindustan – Uday Kulkarni
A New History of Marathas, Volumes I-III by G.S Sardesai
Shivbharat – Shivaji Raje’s biography in Sanskrit by a court historian – has been translated to English
History of Marathas- Grant Duff
History of the Maratha People – Kincaid
Translations done by Prathamesh, of selected letters from multiple Marathi sources regarding battles, diplomatic exchanges and other military matters.
Its about ~300 pages equivalent, and covers 1720-1803.
About 20 different Bakhars, Eg: Panipat – chronicles written by prominent nobles and about major battles. Not always fully reliable, but still a useful source.
A few points perhaps should have been touched on:
* The real winners of the Third Battle of Panipat were the Sikhs. They harassed and looted the returning Afghan army which was taking away enslaved Marathas and whatever ever loot they could find. The retreat of the Afghans left a vacuum was filled by Sikh chieftains.
* One facet that was missing from Maratha elite was an awareness of the world outside South Asia. Yes, Shivaji had the foresight to found the first serious naval force in South Asia after political Islam enters South Asia. Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan showed more vision and foresight in trying to play Europeans against each other.
* Maratha war doctrine was based on highly mobile light cavalry, and infantry that could take advantage of the rugged terrain of the Western Ghats. Marathas lagged behind in embracing artillery and understanding the revolution that European trained armies had brought about in South Asia. Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan are once again an exception in this regard in South Asia. Later armies of the Shindes and Holkars did succeed in embracing this revolution in arms. So much so, that the tussle for power between the EIC and the Marathas was not a foregone conclusion.
Isn’t it that one of the reasons Marathas lost in panipat because they did not have local Hindu/dharmic allies and they were cut off from supplies?
Rana Tunga
1 year ago
Nice podcast. I don’t know much about Maratha history so I have a few questions how did Aurangzeb captured Shahu and did Aurangzeb made Shahu promised to look after the Mughal empire
Aurangzeb captured Shahu when he captured and killed Sambhaji Raje. Shahu was in captivity for almost 2 decades i reckon – while Shahu’s mother remained captive later i reckon
Shahu was treated kindly by some of the court and had a complicated relationship with the Mughals. Some have given it up as the reason why Bajirao under Shahu didnt directly attack the Mughals – but thats speculative/controversial and Marathi author Girish Kuber recently got into trouble for it in his book on Maharashtra.
Sambhaji and Shahu were captured because Ganoji Shirke(Brother in law of Sambhaji) informed his location to Muqarrab Khan a Mughal commander. Sambhaji and 25 of his advisors were captured by the Mughal forces of Muqarrab Khan in a skirmish at Sangameshwar in February 1689. [Wikipedia.]
Plus i think had he faced any serious issue with Tarabai to get the throne back, he would have entertained getting Mughal support and become their vassal. The way he gained the throne with minimal civil war sort of emboldened him to steer clear of Mughal support
A few points perhaps should have been touched on:
* The real winners of the Third Battle of Panipat were the Sikhs. They harassed and looted the returning Afghan army which was taking away enslaved Marathas and whatever ever loot they could find. The retreat of the Afghans left a vacuum was filled by Sikh chieftains.
* One facet that was missing from Maratha elite was an awareness of the world outside South Asia. Yes, Shivaji had the foresight to found the first serious naval force in South Asia after political Islam enters South Asia. Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan showed more vision and foresight in trying to play Europeans against each other.
* Maratha war doctrine was based on highly mobile light cavalry, and infantry that could take advantage of the rugged terrain of the Western Ghats. Marathas lagged behind in embracing artillery and understanding the revolution that European trained armies had brought about in South Asia. Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan are once again an exception in this regard in South Asia. Later armies of the Shindes and Holkars did succeed in embracing this revolution in arms. So much so, that the tussle for power between the EIC and the Marathas was not a foregone conclusion.
Isn’t it that one of the reasons Marathas lost in panipat because they did not have local Hindu/dharmic allies and they were cut off from supplies?
Nice podcast. I don’t know much about Maratha history so I have a few questions how did Aurangzeb captured Shahu and did Aurangzeb made Shahu promised to look after the Mughal empire
Aurangzeb captured Shahu when he captured and killed Sambhaji Raje. Shahu was in captivity for almost 2 decades i reckon – while Shahu’s mother remained captive later i reckon
Shahu was treated kindly by some of the court and had a complicated relationship with the Mughals. Some have given it up as the reason why Bajirao under Shahu didnt directly attack the Mughals – but thats speculative/controversial and Marathi author Girish Kuber recently got into trouble for it in his book on Maharashtra.
Sambhaji and Shahu were captured because Ganoji Shirke(Brother in law of Sambhaji) informed his location to Muqarrab Khan a Mughal commander. Sambhaji and 25 of his advisors were captured by the Mughal forces of Muqarrab Khan in a skirmish at Sangameshwar in February 1689. [Wikipedia.]
Good old betrayal.
Shahu was seen as a perfect future Mughal vassal.
Plus i think had he faced any serious issue with Tarabai to get the throne back, he would have entertained getting Mughal support and become their vassal. The way he gained the throne with minimal civil war sort of emboldened him to steer clear of Mughal support