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Ch 03 - The Rise of the Marathas8th Social Science

Identity of the Marathas

What defined the 'Maratha' identity geographically and culturally during their rise?

DEFINITION

Geography: Native to the rugged Deccan plateau, specifically the region of present-day Maharashtra.
Language: United by the Marathi language, which possessed a rich literary history dating back to the 12th century.
Political Rise: They emerged as a formidable political and military entity in the 17th century, aggressively challenging the established dominance of the Mughals and the Bijapur Sultanate.

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The Bhakti Movement's Role

How did the Bhakti Movement prepare the ideological ground for Maratha political power?

CONCEPT

Cultural Foundation: Saints like Dnyaneshwar, Namdev, Tukaram, and Ramdas fostered deep social unity by rejecting rigid caste hierarchies.
Linguistic Accessibility: They translated complex Sanskrit texts (like the Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita) into everyday Marathi, making profound philosophy accessible to the common masses.
Political Awareness: By emphasizing social organization and collective identity (Maharashtra Dharma), they created a united, deeply motivated society ready for Shivaji's visionary leadership.

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Early Influences: Shahaji & Jijabai

What pivotal roles did Shahaji Bhonsle and Jijabai play in shaping Shivaji's vision for the Maratha Empire?

CONCEPT

Shahaji Bhonsle: Shivaji's father was a prominent military general who served various Deccan Sultanates (Adil Shahi and Nizam Shahi). His extensive military and administrative experience provided Shivaji with deep, practical insights into Deccan geopolitics.
Jijabai: Shivaji's mother profoundly shaped his character. She instilled in him a strict moral compass derived from Hindu epics (the Ramayana and Mahabharata), a fierce sense of justice, and the burning ideological desire for Swarajya (independent self-rule).

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Also in this chapter

39 more cards to study in Prism

4Guerrilla Warfare (Ganimi Kava)
5Cavalry: Bargirs vs. Shiledars
6The Strategic Importance of Forts
7The Maratha Navy
8The Afzal Khan Encounter (1659)
9Night Raid on Shaista Khan (1663)
10The Sacking of Surat (1664)
11The Treaty of Purandar (1665)
12The Escape from Agra (1666)
13Shivaji's Coronation (1674)
14Dakshina-digvijaya (Conquest of the South)
15Shivaji's Administrative Reforms
16Ashta Pradhan Mandala
17The Maratha Panchayat
18Revenue: Chauth vs. Sardeshmukhi
19Linguistic Reforms: Rajya-Vyavahara-Kosha
20Administrative Records: The Modi Script
21Ideology: Shivaji's Royal Seal
22Shivaji's Stance on Human Slavery
23Maratha Environmental Ethics
24The Fate of Chhatrapati Sambhaji
25The War of Independence: Maharani Tarabai
26Structural Shift: Rise of the Peshwas
27Northward Expansion: Peshwa Baji Rao I
28The Third Battle of Panipat (1761)
29Maratha Resurrection: Mahadji Shinde
30Master Diplomat: Nana Phadnavis
31The Southern Branch: Ekoji and Thanjavur
32Intellectual Patronage: Serfoji II
33Cultural Synthesis: Bharatanatyam
34Syncretic Culture: Ambar Husain
35The Holkars: Ahilyabai's Legacy
36The Bhonsles and Jagannath Puri
37Numismatics: The Gaṇapatī-Pantapradhān Rupee
38Shivaji's Assessment of Europeans
39Power Projection: Muscat Incident
40Naval Supremacy: Kanhoji Angre
41The Anglo-Maratha Wars
42The Final Hurdle: Maratha Legacy

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