Notes-Class 7-History-Chapter 9-The Maratha War of Independence -Maharashtra Board

Maratha War After the death of Shivaji Maharaj:

• Following Shivaji Maharaj's death, the Marathas fought valiantly against the Mughals under the leadership of Chhatrapati Sarnbhaji, Chhatrapati Rajaram, and Maharani Tarabai to protect the Swaraj.
• The long war, which lasted 27 years, is known as the Maratha War of Independence.
• In 1682 CE, Emperor Aurangzeb led the invasion of the South.
• Despite enormous odds, the Marathas were victorious in this conflict.
• This is an exciting and glorious period in Indian history.

Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj

• Sambhaji Maharaj was born on 14th May, 1657 on the Purandar fort.
• Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was the eldest son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
• He became Chhatrapati after the death of Shivaji Maharaj.
• He fought the formidable Mughal power to defend the Swaraj under the most difficult circumstances.
• He continued the legacy of Shivaji Maharajs welfare policies.
• He knew many languages and wrote a book titled ‘Budhbhushanam’ in Sanskrit on polity.

Invasion of Deccan by Aurangzeb :

• Aurangzeb crushed his son Shahajada Akbar's rebellion.
• Following that, Akbar travelled to Deccan to seek refuge with Sambhaji Maharaj.
• In 1682, Aurangzeb descended to the south to defeat Akbar.
• He persuaded the Siddi of Janjira to lead an expedition against the Marathas while also gaining the support of the Portuguese.
• Aurangzeb wished to establish a vast unified Mughal Empire. He also desired to demolish Maratha Swaraj.
• However, Aurangzeb found it difficult to overcome Sambaji Maharaj's opposition.
• As a result of Sambhaji Maharaj's bravery, Aurangzeb was brought to his knees.

Campaign against the Siddi

• In 1682 CE, Sambhaji Maharaj launched a campaign against the Siddi of Janjira, who was harassing the people of Maratha territory.
• Sambhaji besieged the Dandarajapuri fort.
• However, the Mughal army invaded Swaraj, forcing him to abandon the Janjira campaign.

Campaign against the Portuguese

• Because the Portuguese had joined forces with the Mughal Emperor, Sambhaji Maharaj decided to punish them.
• In 1683 CE, the Marathas attacked the Revdanda fort.
• In response, the Portuguese laid siege to Fonda fort.
• The Marathas overcame the siege of Fonda Fort and launched an attack on Goa. Yesaji Kank fought valiantly in this battle.
• As the Mughal army attacked South Konkan, Sambhaji Maharaj was forced to abandon his winning campaign in Goa.

The end of Adilshahi and Qutubshahi

• Aurangzeb paused his campaign against the Marathas and turned his attention to the kingdoms of Adilshah and Qutubshah, which he conquered. This helped him in his fight against the Marathas.
• Aurangzeb invaded Maratha territory from every direction. In a clash with the Mughal army, Hambirrao Mohite was killed. This was a major setback for the Marathas.

Administration of Sambhaji Maharaj

• While fighting on many fronts Sambhaji Maharaj did not neglect his administrative responsibilities.
• He gave administrative powers to Maharani Yesubai
• He continued the legacy of Shivaji Maharaj of prompt justice fair revenue and welfare of the people.

Death of Sambhaji Maharaj

• Mukarrabkhan was in charge of the province of Kolhapur. He captured Sambhaji Maharaj at Sangameshwar, and on Aurangzeb's orders, he was brutally tortured to death on March 11, 1689.
• He faced death without sacrificing his self-respect.
• His sacrifice inspired the Marathas to intensify their fight against the Mughals.

Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj

• Rajaram Maharaj, Shivaji Maharaj's second son, was born on Raigad on February 24, 1670.
• He was made Chhatrapati after Sambhaji Maharaj died.
• Zulfikarkhan had attacked Raigad, and the entire royal family had taken refuge there. It was dangerous to be in the same place at the same time.
• It was agreed that Maharani Yesubai would continue to defend Raigad, while Rajaram Maharaj would flee to Jinji.
• This event demonstrates Maharani Yesubai's greatness in agreeing to make Rajaram Chhatrapati.
• By forcing him to leave Raigad, she ensured his safety. She took on the responsibility of defending Raigad without regard for her own or her son's lives.

Rajaram Maharaj leaves for Jinji

• After escaping the siege, Rajaram Maharaj and his trusted Sardars went to Jinji fort in the far south.
• Meanwhile, the Mughals took over Raigad fort and imprisoned Maharani Yesubai and Prince Shahu.
• Aurangzeb enticed many Maratha Sardars by bestowing watans and jagirs on them.
• Rajaram Maharaj used the same tactics to destroy the Mughal plan.
• Many Maratha sardars promised jagirs fought valiantly and defeated Mughal Generals.
• They used guerilla tactics to harass the Mughal army.
• In a surprise attack, Santaji Ghorpade and Vithoji Chavan cut and carried away the golden pinnacle of the Emperor's tent.

Siege of Jinji

• Zulfikarkhan laid siege to Jinji fort. The Marathas defended the fort for nearly eight years.
• Rajaram Maharaj escaped from Jinji and returned to Maharashtra.
• The return of Rajaram Maharaj gave a boost to the Marathas. They attacked
• Mughal territories of Khandesh, Varhad and Baglan.
• He motivated many Maratha warriors to project the Swaraj.
• After a short illness, Rajaram Maharaj died at Singhgad on 2nd March, 1700.

Estimate of Chhatrapati Rajaram :

• Rajaram Maharaj provided leadership to the Marathas, after the death of Sambhaji Maharaj, he fought against Aurangzeb for 11 years with great courage and tenacity.
• He managed to unite Maratha Sardars by his kind and accommodative nature.
• Rajaram Maharaj’s greatest achievement is that he protected Swaraj in those extremely difficult times.
• While describing Rajaram Maharaj, noted historian Riyasatkar G. S. Sardesai has used the adjective ‘Sthirbuddhi’ (Level Headed).

Maharani Tarabai

• Maharani Tarabai was a capable wife of Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj.
• With the help of the Sardars, she continued the war for independence with zeal after Rajaram Maharaj died.
• Khafikhan, a modern Mughal historian, described her as an intelligent and knowledgeable woman.
• The Marathas went deep inside the Mughal territory outside Maharashtra, in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Malva.
• She fought for seven years and kept the Maratha kingdom strong.
• The death of Aurangzeb in 1707 at Ahmadnagar marked the end of the Maratha War of Independence, wherein they emerged victorious.
• They occupied the vacuum in the political arena during thel8th century, described as on the century of the Marathas.

Brave sardars Santaji and Dhanaji :

• Santaji Ghorpade and Dhanaji J adhav were the brave sardars of Chhatrapati
• Rajaram Maharaj and Maharani Tarabai.
• Against their surprise attacks and guerrilla tactics the Mughal forces were at their wits end.
• Santaji Ghorpade and Vithoji Chavan cut and carried away the golden pinnacle of the Emperor Aurangzeb’s tent in a surprise attack.
• Santali and Dhanaji helped Rajaram Maharaj escape the siege of Jinji fort by attacking the Mughal forces from outside.