Under Balaji Bajirao (Nana Saheb), the Maratha Empire reached its greatest territorial extent, stretching from Attock to Cuttack. However, this period also saw the seeds of decline. The crushing defeat at the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761 happened during ...
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Shivaji established his first naval fleet at Colaba. Recognizing the strategic importance of the Arabian Sea, he focused on building a navy to protect his coastal territories, control sea trade and defend against the Portuguese, the Abyssinian Siddis of Janjira ...
The shift of power to the Peshwas enabled a policy of delegated authority. By allowing semi-autonomous Maratha chiefs (like the Gaekwads, Holkars and Scindias) to conquer and manage their own territories, the empire expanded rapidly across India. This decentralized “Confederacy” ...
The severe Jagirdari crisis first arose during the reign of Aurangzeb. The rapid expansion of the empire, especially the Deccan conquests, led to a shortage of available Paibaqi land relative to the unprecedented number of new Mansabdars demanding Jagirs. This ...
The loss of Kandahar in 1649 to the Safavid Persians dealt a major blow to the Mughal Empire primarily because it was a strategically important center. Control over Kandahar was vital for Mughal security, as it guarded the main trade ...