The defining institutional feature of the Maratha Confederacy was the “semi-autonomous” nature of its sardars. Unlike a centralized empire where governors are subordinates who follow central orders, the Maratha chiefs (like Scindia, Holkar and Gaekwad) maintained their own armies, administrations ...
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The Deccan’s rugged landscape, filled with hills and narrow passes, was perfectly suited for the Maratha “Ganimi Kava” (guerrilla tactics). By avoiding open-field battles, the Marathas used the terrain to trap larger enemy forces. Their reliance on light cavalry ensured ...
The decentralized “Confederacy” model eventually led to extreme political fragmentation. As the Peshwa’s power declined, the various Maratha houses became more interested in fighting each other than in defending the empire. This disunity created an ideal environment for the British ...
As the Mughal central authority weakened after Aurangzeb, the “administrative breakdown” in the provinces left a power vacuum. Local governors became independent or grew ineffective, making it easier for the Marathas to demand Chauth and eventually take over these regions. ...
Kanhoji Angre, the legendary Maratha Admiral, focused on challenging the naval dominance of European powers—the British, Portuguese and Dutch—along the Konkan coast. By establishing a string of coastal forts and utilizing agile “Galbats” and “Gurabs,” he successfully protected Maratha waters, ...