The Maratha Empire or the Maratha Confederacy is an Indian imperial power that exists from 1674 to 1818.
At its peak, the empire covers much of South Asia, encompassing a territory of over 2.8 million km².
The Marathas are credited for the reestablishment of Hindu rule in India.The empire is founded and consolidated by Chhatrapati Shivaji Bhosle.
He creates an independent Maratha kingdom with Raigad as its capital, and successfully fights against the Mughals to defend his kingdom.
The Maratha Empire wages war for 27 years with the Mughals from 1681 to 1707, which becomes the longest war in the history of India.
The Marathas eventually emerge victorious.
Shivaji pioneers "Shiva sutra" or Ganimi Kava (guerrilla tactics), which leverage strategic factors like demographics, speed, surprise and focused attack to defeat his bigger and more powerful enemies.
Venkoji, the younger half-brother of Shivaji, founds the Thanjavur Maratha kingdom.Shahu, a grandson of Shivaji, becomes ruler.
During this period, he appoints Peshwas as the prime ministers of the Maratha Empire.
After the death of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, the empire expands greatly under the rule of the Peshwas.
The empire at its peak stretches from Tamil Nadu in the south, to Peshawar (modern-day Pakistan) on the Afghanistan border in the north and leads expeditions to Bengal in the east.
Ahmad Shah Abdali, amongst others, are unwilling to allow the Maratha's gains to go unchecked.
In 1761, the Maratha army loses the Third Battle of Panipat, which halts imperial expansion.After 1761, young Madhavrao Peshwa reinstates the Maratha authority over North India, ten years after the battle of Panipat.
In a bid to effectively manage the large empire, semi-autonomy is given to the strongest of the knights, which create a confederacy of Maratha states.
They become known as Gaekwads of Baroda, the Holkars of Indore and Malwa, the Shindes of Gwalior and Ujjain, Bhonsales of Nagpur.
In 1775, the British East India Company intervenes in a succession struggle in Pune, which becomse the First Anglo-Maratha War.
Marathas remain the preeminent power in India until their defeat in the Second and Third Anglo-Maratha Wars (1805–1818), which leaves Britain in control of most of India.A large portion of the empire is coastline that has been secured by a potent navy under commanders such as Kanhoji Angre.
He is very successful at keeping foreign naval ships, particularly of the Portuguese and British, at bay.
Securing the coastal areas and building land-based fortifications are crucial aspects of the Maratha's defensive strategy and regional military history.
