Maratha

The Marathas are a Marathi-speaking social group and political force in western India, centered in present-day Maharashtra. Historically, the term referred to a regional warrior community that rose to prominence in the 17th and 18th centuries, shaping regional politics and society.

Origins and rise to power: The Marathas emerged as a significant force under Chhatrapati Shivaji in the 17th century, who founded a Hindu-ruled kingdom and laid the groundwork for an independent polity in parts of western India. After Shivaji’s death, his successors expanded the realm and reorganized governance. By the mid-18th century a loose federation, or confederacy, developed among several powerful regional rulers, including the Bhonsles of Satara and Thane, the Holkars of Indore, the Scindias of Gwalior, and the Peshwas of Pune.

Administration and military: The Peshwa, as prime minister, became the central administrator of the Maratha confederacy, coordinating military and civil affairs across diverse territories. The Marathas employed a mix of guerrilla tactics and conventional forces, and their state at its height controlled large swaths of present-day Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and parts of Karnataka.

Decline and legacy: Following internal conflicts and succession disputes, the Maratha confederacy faced increasing pressure from the British East India Company. The Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817–1819) led to the defeat of Maratha forces and the formal dissolution of the empire, though elements of the confederacy persisted under British suzerainty. The Marathas left a lasting impact on the region’s political culture, military traditions, and Marathi identity.

Today, Marathas constitute a major social and cultural group in Maharashtra and neighboring states, continuing to influence language, arts, and regional affairs.