Notes-Class 7-History-Chapter 12-Progression of the Empire-Maharashtra Board

Many Sardar families like, Holkars of Indore, Bhosales of Nagpur, Shindes of Gwalior  made significant contribution to the expansion of the Maratha power in the Northern parts of India.

The Holkars of Indore :

Malharrao Holkar :

• Malharrao was the founder of the Holkar rule at Indore.
• He had served the Maratha State for quite a long time.
• He was well-versed in the guerrilla warfare.
• He proved his valour in the northern campaigns during the reign of Peshwa Bajirao I and Nanasaheb Peshwa.
• He was instrumental in establishing the Maratha supremacy in Malwa and Rajputana. (
• He had helped Peshwa Madhavrao in reviving the Maratha prestige in the North after the defeat of Panipat.

Ahilyabai Holkar :

• After the death of Khanderao Holkar and shortly thereafter the death of
• Malharrao Holkar, Ahilyabai Holkar (the Wife of Khanderao) assumed the reins of Indore administration.
• She ably ruled for twenty-eight years brought peace and order to her kingdom, made her people happy and enhanced the prestige of the Marathas in the North.
• She undertook many activities for the welfare of her subjects such as digging wells for farmers, encouragement to trade and industry and bringing more land under cultivation.
• She built Dharmashalas, temples, ghats, Maths and made provision for drinking water in the four quarters of India.
• She looked into judicial matters personally and dispensed justice.
• She was a generous person and an excellent administrator.

Yashwantrao Holkar :

• Yashwantrao Holkar tried to save the Maratha kingdom when it was on the decline.

The Bhosales of Nagpur :

• Parasoji Bhosale was given the jagir of Varhad and Gondawan by Shahu Maharaj.

Raghuji Bhosale :

• He was the most competent and brave among the Bhosales of Nagpur.
• He had brought Tirucherapalli and Arcot in the south under Maratha dominance.
• He had brought Bengal, Bihar and Odisha under the Maratha dominance.
• In recognition of his service, Shahu Maharaj had assigned chauthai rights of Bengal, Bihar and Odisha to him.

The Shindes of Gwalior :

• Ranoji Shinde was made a Sardar in the North by Peshwa Bajirao I.
• After his death, his sons Jayappa, Dattaji and Mahadji too strengthened the Maratha rule in North India.

Mahadaji Shinde :

• Mahadaji Shinde was the son of Ranoji and the family title was conferred on him by Peshwa Madhavrao.
• He was a brave general and astute statesman,
• He was instrumental in re-establishing the Maratha supremacy and prestige in North India.

Mahadaji Shinde trained his army and modernised :

• He realised that the guerilla tactics of the Marathas were not suitable for the warfare in the plains of North India.
• He had to deal with bitter opponents like the Rohillas, the Jats and the Bundellas. He also had to keep the British under restraint.
• Therefore Mahadaji Shinde trained his army and modernised his artillery under the guidance of the French expert de Boigne.

Vakil-i-Multak :

• In many adverse circumstances, Mahadaji Shinde defeated the British and reinstated the Emperor on the throne.
• The Mughal emperor had conferred on him the title of Vakil-i-Multak. He took care of administration of the Mughal empire from 1784 to 1794.

Mahadaji dealt sternly with Ghulam Kadir.

• Ghulam Kadir was the grandson of Rohilla Chief Najib Khan who had animosity towards the Marathas.
• Ghulam Kadir captured the Red Fort, looted the royal treasure, tortured the emperor and his begums.
• He gouged out the Emperor’s eyes. Therefore, Mahadaji dealt sternly with Gulam Kadir.

Death of Mahadaji Shinde :

• Due to the family feuds within the Peshwa family, Ragunathrao opted to the British camp. This led to conflict with the British.
• The Marathas under the leadership of Mahadaji Shinde defeated the British in the Battle of Wadgaon.
• After setting the affairs of Delhi in order, Mahadaji came to Pune, where he died at Wanawadi.
• Khanhoji Angre and his son Tulaji, with a strong navy, defended the coastline of the Maratha State, from the Portuguese, the British and the Siddhis.

Khanderao Dabhade :

• Khanderao Dabhade and his son Trimbakrao laid the foundation of the Maratha power in Gujarat.
• Umabai, the wife of Khanderao had conquered Ahmedabad from the Mughals.
• The Gaikwads made Vadodara their seat of powers later.

Pawars of Dhar and Dewas :

• The Pawars of Dhar and Dewas in Madhya Pradesh rendered valuable assistance to the Shindes and the Holkars in expanding the Maratha power in the north.

Nana Phadnavis :

• Nana Phadnavis was the administrator of the Peshwas and an able statesman.
• He set right the affairs of the State with the help of Mahadaji Shinde after the death of Peshwa Madhavrao.
• Nana Phadnavis managed the affairs in the South.
• He was helped by the Patwardhans, Haripant Phadke, the Raste and other sardars.
• As a result of his efforts, the Marathas gained supremacy in the South.

Bajirao II :

• The Maratha power declined after the death of Mahadaji Shinde and Nana Phadnavis. Raghunathrads son Bajirao II became the Peshwa.
• He did not have leadership qualities and failed to unite the Maratha Sardars.
• The internal strife among the Maratha Sardars weakened their power.

The end of Maratha power:

• The British captured Pune in 1817 and defeated the Marathas at Ashti in 1818.
• The end of Maratha power paved the way for the British rule in India.
• It also marked the end of the Medieval period and the beginning of the Modern period in the history of India.