Maratha Empire Timeline
Comprehensive timeline of 45 major events spanning 1674-1818, from Shivaji's coronation to the dissolution of the Maratha Confederacy.
Coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
Shivaji Bhonsle was crowned as Chhatrapati (Emperor) at Raigad Fort, establishing the Maratha Empire as an independent sovereign state. This elaborate ceremony, conducted with proper Vedic rituals, legitimized Maratha rule and challenged Mughal supremacy in the Deccan. The coronation marked the formal beginning of Hindu sovereignty after centuries of Islamic rule in the region.
Death of Shivaji Maharaj
Chhatrapati Shivaji died at Raigad Fort, leaving behind a consolidated kingdom and a legacy of guerrilla warfare tactics. His death created uncertainty about succession and emboldened Mughal forces under Aurangzeb to intensify campaigns against the Marathas. Shivaji's administrative innovations and military strategies would continue to inspire Maratha expansion for over a century.
Sambhaji Becomes Chhatrapati
Sambhaji, Shivaji's eldest son, ascended the throne after a brief succession dispute with his stepmother. His reign would be marked by constant warfare with the Mughals as Aurangzeb committed vast resources to subjugate the Marathas. Sambhaji proved to be a capable military commander, successfully defending Maratha territories against superior Mughal forces.
Deccan Wars Begin
Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb personally moved to the Deccan with his massive army to destroy the Maratha kingdom permanently. This marked the beginning of the 27-year Deccan campaign that would drain the Mughal treasury and ultimately weaken the empire. The Marathas employed guerrilla tactics, avoiding pitched battles while continuously harassing Mughal supply lines and isolated garrisons.
Jinji Becomes De Facto Capital
As Mughal pressure intensified in Maharashtra, Rajaram shifted the Maratha capital to the southern fortress of Jinji in present-day Tamil Nadu. This strategic move extended Maratha influence into South India and forced the Mughals to divide their forces. Jinji's formidable defenses allowed the Marathas to maintain resistance despite losing much of their core territory.
Capture and Execution of Sambhaji
Chhatrapati Sambhaji was captured by Mughal forces through betrayal and executed on Aurangzeb's orders after refusing to convert to Islam. His brutal death made him a martyr and intensified Maratha resistance rather than breaking it. His younger brother Rajaram assumed leadership and continued the struggle, ensuring the Maratha cause survived this devastating blow.
Fall of Jinji After Eight-Year Siege
The fortress of Jinji finally fell to Mughal forces after one of the longest sieges in Indian history. Despite this loss, the prolonged defense had achieved its strategic purpose of exhausting Mughal resources and buying time for Maratha recovery in Maharashtra. By this time, Rajaram had already shifted operations back to the western Deccan.
Death of Rajaram and Tarabai's Regency
Chhatrapati Rajaram died at Sinhagad, and his widow Tarabai became regent for their young son Shivaji II. Tarabai proved to be an able administrator and military strategist, successfully coordinating Maratha resistance during the final years of Aurangzeb's campaign. Her leadership during this critical period prevented the Maratha state from collapsing.
Satara Established as Royal Capital
The Maratha capital was formally established at Satara, which would remain the ceremonial seat of the Chhatrapati throughout the empire's existence. This symbolized the restoration of Maratha power in their core territories after decades of defensive warfare. Satara's strategic location in the Western Ghats provided both security and central access to Maratha territories.
Death of Aurangzeb
Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb died in the Deccan after 27 years of unsuccessful campaigns against the Marathas. His death marked the beginning of rapid Mughal decline and opened opportunities for Maratha expansion. The enormous cost of the Deccan wars had bankrupted the Mughal treasury and weakened imperial authority throughout India.
Recognition of Shahu as Legitimate Chhatrapati
Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah I officially recognized Shahu, who had been held captive by the Mughals since childhood, as the legitimate Maratha ruler. This created a succession dispute with Tarabai's faction at Satara, leading to internal Maratha conflicts. However, the peace treaty allowed Shahu to consolidate power and marked the beginning of Maratha revival.
Balaji Vishwanath Appointed Hereditary Peshwa
Shahu appointed Balaji Vishwanath as Peshwa (Prime Minister) with hereditary rights, beginning the Peshwa dynasty that would eventually dominate Maratha politics. This appointment marked a crucial shift in Maratha governance, as the Peshwas gradually accumulated power while the Chhatrapatis became ceremonial figures. Balaji's diplomatic skills restored Maratha unity and prestige.
Baji Rao I Becomes Peshwa
Baji Rao I succeeded his father as Peshwa at the young age of 20, beginning one of the most dynamic periods of Maratha expansion. An exceptional military strategist and administrator, he would transform the Marathas from a regional power into an empire controlling much of India. His famous statement 'Let us strike at the trunk of the withering tree' reflected his aggressive expansionist policy.
Poona Becomes Peshwa's Administrative Capital
Baji Rao I established Poona (Pune) as the administrative capital of the Peshwa, while Satara remained the ceremonial seat of the Chhatrapati. This shift reflected the growing power of the Peshwas and Poona's strategic location for controlling both coastal and inland territories. The city rapidly developed into a major political and cultural center of the empire.
Battle of Palkhed
Baji Rao I decisively defeated the Nizam of Hyderabad through superior strategy and rapid cavalry movements. This victory established Maratha supremacy in the Deccan and forced the Nizam to become a tributary. The battle showcased Baji Rao's innovative military tactics, including his use of rapid maneuvers and attacks on enemy supply lines.
Conquest of Malwa
The Marathas conquered Malwa, bringing the prosperous region under their control and extending their influence into Central India. This expansion provided crucial revenue and strategic depth to the empire. Maratha control of Malwa opened routes for further expansion toward Delhi and established them as a major player in North Indian politics.
Battle of Delhi
Baji Rao I defeated the Mughal army near Delhi, demonstrating Maratha power in the heart of the Mughal Empire. The Marathas marched through the streets of Delhi, humiliating the Mughal emperor and extracting tribute. This bold campaign established the Marathas as kingmakers in North Indian politics and marked the beginning of effective Mughal subordination.
Treaty of Bhopal
The Marathas secured tribute rights from Mughal territories in North India through this treaty, essentially becoming the protectors of the declining Mughal Empire. This formalized Maratha dominance over imperial revenues and administration. The treaty marked a significant milestone in the transfer of real power from the Mughals to the Marathas.
Death of Baji Rao I
Peshwa Baji Rao I died at the relatively young age of 40 after expanding Maratha territory from the Deccan to Peshawar. During his tenure, he never lost a battle and fought over 41 campaigns. His death was mourned across the empire, but his administrative and military legacy ensured continued Maratha expansion under his son Balaji Baji Rao.
Balaji Baji Rao Becomes Peshwa
Balaji Baji Rao (Nanasaheb) succeeded his father as Peshwa, continuing the expansionist policies while focusing more on administration and diplomacy. His reign saw the greatest territorial extent of the Maratha Empire. He formalized the Maratha Confederacy system, granting greater autonomy to regional chiefs while maintaining central coordination.
Maratha Involvement in Carnatic Wars
The Marathas became involved in the complex politics of South India during the Carnatic Wars, competing with the British and French for influence. This brought them into direct conflict with European colonial powers and their Indian allies. The experience exposed the superior military technology and organization of European forces, though Marathas remained dominant on land.
Marathas Reach Attock
Maratha forces under Raghunath Rao reached Attock on the Indus River in present-day Pakistan, marking the northwestern limit of Maratha expansion. This achievement fulfilled Baji Rao I's vision of establishing Maratha sovereignty from Attock to Cuttack. The feat demonstrated the extraordinary range and power of Maratha military campaigns.
Beginning of Afghan-Maratha War
Ahmad Shah Durrani, ruler of Afghanistan, invaded India to check Maratha expansion in the Punjab and restore Muslim rule in North India. This brought the two dominant military powers of the subcontinent into direct conflict. The war would culminate in one of the most decisive battles in Indian history at Panipat.
Third Battle of Panipat
The Marathas suffered a catastrophic defeat against Ahmad Shah Durrani's Afghan forces in the largest and bloodiest single-day battle of the 18th century. Over 60,000 Maratha soldiers died, including key commanders and the young Peshwa's son Vishwasrao. This disaster temporarily halted Maratha expansion and created a power vacuum in North India that would eventually be filled by the British.
Madhavrao I Becomes Peshwa
The young and capable Madhavrao I became Peshwa and began the difficult task of restoring Maratha power after the Panipat disaster. Despite initial challenges from his uncle Raghunath Rao, Madhavrao successfully reasserted Maratha control over lost territories. His administrative reforms and military victories restored confidence and marked a period of recovery.
Maratha Recovery and Re-expansion
Under Madhavrao I's leadership, the Marathas recovered from the Panipat defeat and reasserted control over North India within a decade. They defeated the Nizam of Hyderabad and forced him to cede territory. This remarkable recovery demonstrated the resilience of the Maratha political and military system.
Death of Madhavrao I
Peshwa Madhavrao I died of tuberculosis at the young age of 27, plunging the empire into a succession crisis. His death was a severe blow as he had successfully restored Maratha fortunes after Panipat. The subsequent power struggle between various factions weakened central authority and accelerated the confederacy's decentralization.
First Anglo-Maratha War
Internal Maratha disputes led to British intervention, resulting in the first major conflict between the Marathas and the British East India Company. The war ended inconclusively with the Treaty of Salbai, but it marked the beginning of sustained British involvement in Maratha politics. The conflict exposed divisions within the Maratha Confederacy that the British would later exploit.
Treaty of Salbai
This treaty ended the First Anglo-Maratha War and secured 20 years of peace between the Marathas and British. Both sides restored conquered territories, and the British recognized Madhavrao II as Peshwa. The treaty represented a diplomatic success for the Marathas but also normalized British presence in their sphere of influence.
Maratha Empire at Peak Territorial Extent
The Maratha Confederacy reached its maximum territorial extent, controlling approximately 2.5 million square kilometers across the Indian subcontinent. This made it the dominant power in India, with influence from Tamil Nadu to Punjab and from the Arabian Sea to Bay of Bengal. However, the empire was increasingly decentralized, with five major Maratha states operating semi-independently.
Maratha-Mysore Wars
The Marathas fought multiple campaigns against Tipu Sultan of Mysore, seeking to check his expansionist ambitions in South India. These wars drained Maratha resources and complicated their relations with the British, who were also fighting Tipu. The conflicts prevented any potential alliance between the two major Indian powers against British expansion.
Nana Fadnavis as De Facto Maratha Leader
Nana Fadnavis, serving as regent and chief minister, became the de facto leader of the Maratha Confederacy during a period of weak Peshwas. His diplomatic skills and administrative acumen held the confederacy together during increasingly difficult times. However, even his abilities could not overcome the growing internal divisions and British pressure.
Baji Rao II Becomes Peshwa
Baji Rao II ascended as the last Peshwa of the Maratha Empire through a controversial succession. Unlike his predecessors, he proved weak and indecisive, heavily influenced by factions at his court. His poor leadership would contribute significantly to the empire's eventual downfall and make him vulnerable to British manipulation.
Second Anglo-Maratha War
This war resulted from British efforts to exploit Maratha internal divisions and Baji Rao II's weakness. The British defeated the Maratha forces at multiple battles, forcing the Marathas to sign subsidiary alliances. These treaties significantly reduced Maratha independence and established British residents at major Maratha courts, effectively making them British protectorates.
Battle of Assaye
Arthur Wellesley (later Duke of Wellington) defeated a much larger Maratha force in one of the hardest-fought British victories in India. This battle demonstrated the superior discipline and tactical deployment of British-trained forces. The defeat shattered Maratha confidence and contributed to their eventual acceptance of British terms.
Treaty of Bassein
Peshwa Baji Rao II signed this subsidiary alliance with the British East India Company, accepting British protection and control over his foreign policy. This treaty effectively ended Maratha independence and outraged other Maratha chiefs. It set the stage for the final Anglo-Maratha War as other Maratha states refused to accept British paramountcy.
Yashwantrao Holkar's Resistance
Yashwantrao Holkar emerged as the most determined opponent of British expansion, refusing to accept the Treaty of Bassein. He defeated British forces in several engagements and even besieged Delhi, attempting to rally Indian powers against the British. His campaigns represented the last major indigenous military resistance to British expansion in North India.
Third Anglo-Maratha War
The final war between the British and the Maratha Confederacy resulted in decisive British victory and the complete dissolution of Maratha power. The British systematically defeated each Maratha state, using superior military organization and exploiting internal divisions. This war marked the end of the last major indigenous power capable of challenging British supremacy in India.
Battle of Koregaon
A small British force including many Mahar Dalit soldiers defeated a much larger Peshwa army, symbolizing the collapse of Maratha military power. This battle is remembered for the bravery of the Mahar soldiers fighting against their Brahmin Peshwa rulers. The British erected a victory pillar that later became significant to Dalit political movements.
Capture and Exile of Baji Rao II
The last Peshwa, Baji Rao II, was captured after attempting to resist British annexation. He was exiled to Bithoor near Kanpur with a generous pension, ending the Peshwa dynasty. His surrender marked the formal end of Maratha sovereignty, though he lived in comfortable exile until 1851, symbolizing the fallen glory of the empire.
Formal Dissolution of the Maratha Confederacy
The British formally dissolved the Maratha Confederacy after defeating its constituent states, annexing most territories directly to British India. Some states like Gwalior, Indore, and Baroda were preserved as princely states under British paramountcy. This marked the end of over 140 years of Maratha power and the consolidation of British control over most of India.
Death of Pratap Singh, Last Chhatrapati
Pratap Singh, who had ruled as a ceremonial figurehead under British supervision after the Peshwa's fall, died, ending the line of independent Maratha monarchs. Though powerless, his title had maintained symbolic continuity with Shivaji's legacy. His death closed the chapter on the Bhonsle dynasty's rule, though descendants would claim the title in later years.
British Annexation of Satara
The British annexed the state of Satara under the Doctrine of Lapse, eliminating even the ceremonial Maratha throne. This controversial annexation eliminated the last vestiges of Maratha sovereignty and was one of several such annexations that created widespread resentment. The action contributed to the growing discontent that would erupt in the 1857 rebellion.
Nana Saheb's Role in 1857 Rebellion
Nana Saheb, adopted son of Baji Rao II, emerged as a major leader during the 1857 rebellion against British rule, claiming to be Peshwa. His participation represented an attempt to restore Maratha glory and avenge his father's humiliation. Though the rebellion failed, it demonstrated that Maratha resistance to British rule continued even after formal dissolution of the empire.
End of Nana Saheb's Claim
Nana Saheb disappeared after the failure of the 1857 rebellion, with his fate remaining unknown. His claimed title as Peshwa ended around 1859, marking the final attempt to restore Maratha sovereignty. The Maratha Empire's legacy would live on in administrative practices, military traditions, and as inspiration for later nationalist movements.