Topics
Renaissance in Europe and Development of Science
European Colonialism
India and European Colonialism
Colonialism and the Marathas
India: Social and Religious Reforms
Indian Struggle Against Colonialism
- Struggle before 1857
- Early Resistance to British Rule in India
- Background of Founding the Indian National Congress
- Foundation of the Indian National Congress
- 'Moderates' and 'Extremists'
- Armed Revolutionaries in India
- Mahatma Gandhi: Non-violent Resistance Movement
- Indian National Army (INA)
- 'Quit India' Movement of 1942
- Overview of Indian Struggle Against Colonialism
Decolonisation to Political Integration of India
World Wars and India
World : Decolonisation
Cold War
India Transformed - Part 1
India Transformed - Part 2
Key Points: Colonialism vs the Maratha Empire
|
Aspect |
European Colonial Powers |
Maratha Empire |
Policy/Strategy |
Result |
|
Entry into India |
Came as traders (Portuguese, British, Dutch, French) |
Aware of foreign motives |
Strict vigilance |
Limited early penetration |
|
Use of Power |
Trade turned into political control |
Resistance to colonisers |
Military preparedness |
Colonial expansion checked |
|
Naval Strength |
Strong naval force and sea forts |
Developed own navy |
Construction of sea forts |
Control over coastline |
|
Economic Policy |
Controlled trade and revenue |
Protected local trade |
Levy of octroi on salt trade |
Economic independence |
|
Leadership |
Foreign rulers and companies |
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj |
Clear anti-colonial vision |
Strong resistance to Europeans |
Key Points: Portuguese and Maratha Empire
|
Aspect |
Portuguese Position |
Maratha Action |
Method/Strategy |
Result |
|
Forts and Territory |
Forts at Goa, Diu, Daman, Vasai, Chaul |
Constant Maratha pressure |
Military vigilance |
Bardesh region threatened |
|
Naval Power |
Strong Portuguese navy |
Maratha navy strengthened |
Sea warfare |
Portuguese naval fear |
|
Trade and Revenue |
Forced conversions, trade control |
Protection of Swarajya |
Attacks on Bardesh |
Local support to Marathas |
|
Conflicts and Treaties |
Alliance with Siddi and Mughals |
Diplomatic and military action |
Siege and negotiations |
Temporary treaties |
|
Final Outcome |
Strong coastal presence |
Campaign led by Chimaji Appa |
Siege of Vasai |
Portuguese defeated |
Key Points: Dutch and Maratha Empire
|
Aspect |
Dutch Position |
Maratha Stand |
Policy/Action |
Result |
|
Initial Contact |
Factory at Vengurla (1649) |
Allowed trade |
Peaceful relations |
Dutch trade flourished |
|
Conflict |
Trade affected |
Attack on Kudal |
Military action |
Dutch trade disturbed |
|
Mughal Request |
Asked help against Marathas |
Refused assistance |
Neutral stance |
Dutch avoided conflict |
|
Trade Relations |
Sought Maratha support |
Protection given |
Safe conduct and permits |
Dutch paid tribute |
|
Overall Outcome |
Factories at Porto Novo, Devanapattinam |
Not harmed |
Friendly policy |
Stable Dutch–Maratha relations |
Key Points: French and Maratha Empire
|
Aspect |
French Action |
Maratha Response |
Nature of Relations |
Result |
|
Establishment |
Factory at Rajapur (1668) |
Permission granted by Shivaji Maharaj |
Friendly trade relations |
French factory protected |
|
Military Support |
Supplied ammunition |
Used for Swarajya |
Mutual cooperation |
French paid tribute |
|
Expansion |
Factory at Pondicherry |
Safety assured |
Peaceful coexistence |
French presence on Coromandel coast |
|
Political Role |
Entry into Indian politics |
Cautious engagement |
Rivalry with British |
French influence increased |
|
Military Training |
Trained Maratha army |
Ibrahim Khan Gardi appointed |
Modern artillery |
Strengthening of Maratha power |
Key Points: British and Maratha Empire
|
Aspect |
British Action |
Maratha Response |
Nature of Conflict |
Result |
|
Early Contact |
Trade ships and factories |
Vigilant supervision |
Political tension |
Relations strained |
|
Initial Conflicts |
Supported Maratha rivals |
Arrest of British officers |
Military clashes |
British defeated at Rajapur |
|
Agreements |
Treaty of 1674 and permissions |
Allowed trade with conditions |
Diplomatic settlement |
British restricted |
|
Later Interference |
Support to Maratha factions |
Resistance by Marathas |
Anglo-Maratha Wars |
Long-term rivalry |
|
Final Outcome |
Military campaigns (1803–1818) |
Defeat of Marathas |
Third Anglo-Maratha War |
End of Maratha power |
Key Points: Siddi and Maratha Empire
|
Aspect |
Siddi Position |
Maratha Action |
Nature of Conflict |
Result |
|
Arrival and Settlement |
Siddis from Abyssinia settled at Janjira |
Shivaji Maharaj alerted |
Strategic threat |
Tension began |
|
Janjira Conflict |
Fort held by Siddi |
Maratha blockade (1671) |
Military confrontation |
Fort not captured |
|
Alliances |
Allied with Mughals and British |
Naval resistance |
Combined opposition |
Maratha attacks continued |
|
Khanderi Issue |
Opposed Maratha fort |
Naval action under Manik Bhandari |
Sea battles |
British retreat (1680) |
|
Final Outcome |
Feudatory status |
Campaign under Chimaji Appa |
Decisive Maratha victory |
Siddi subdued |
Key Points: Afghans and Maratha Empire
|
Aspect |
Afghan Action |
Maratha Role |
Nature of Conflict |
Result |
|
Early Invasions |
Ahmadshah Abdali invaded India (1748, 1751) |
Defended northern India |
Afghan–Maratha rivalry |
Abdali initially checked |
|
Agreement with Mughals |
Provinces ceded to Abdali |
Marathas given duty to protect North India |
Diplomatic settlement (1752) |
Maratha influence expanded |
|
Later Attacks |
Abdali attacked again (1757, 1759) |
Marathas marched north |
Military confrontation |
Temporary Afghan success |
|
Third Battle of Panipat |
Abdali fought Marathas (1761) |
Led by Sadashivrao Bhau |
Decisive battle |
Maratha defeat |
|
Final Outcome |
Abdali returned to Afghanistan |
Maratha opposition continued |
Afghan withdrawal |
Afghans did not return to India |
