The Maratha political system evolved into a loose confederacy of semi-autonomous chiefs rather than a rigid, centralized bureaucracy. Unlike the Mughal “Mansabdari” system, where officials were frequently transferred to prevent local power bases, Maratha sardars held hereditary control over their ...
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Chauth was a tax amounting to one-fourth of the land revenue, levied by the Marathas on non-Maratha territories. In exchange for this payment, the Marathas guaranteed protection against external invasions and, more importantly, promised not to raid the territory themselves. ...
Following the 1761 disaster, the central authority of the Peshwa significantly weakened. This vacuum allowed powerful regional sardars (chiefs) to assert their independence. The resulting internal rivalries, particularly between the houses of Scindia and Holkar, prevented the Marathas from presenting ...
The transfer of power to the Peshwas transitioned the Maratha state from a centralized monarchy into a dynamic confederacy. By delegating authority to capable military commanders, the Peshwas incentivized them to conquer new territories in North and Central India. This ...
The transformation into an all-India confederacy was driven by the Peshwas’ strategic decision to decentralize political and military authority. Starting with Bajirao I, the state encouraged talented generals to carve out spheres of influence in North and Central India. This ...