The Rise of the Marathas Class 8 Question and Answers NCERT SOLUTIONS
1. Who were the Marathas? How did they manage to become the largest pan-Indian power before the British took over?
Ans – The Marathas are a group of people native to the Deccan plateau, more specifically present-day Maharashtra.
The Marathas became the largest pan-Indian power before the British due to:
Factor Contribution
“
Shivaji’s Foundation = Military, admin, and ideological base
Military Mobility = Enabled fast conquests across regions
Mughal Decline = Created a vacuum they filled
Peshwa Leadership = Strategic, centralized decision-making
Confederacy System = Flexible and wide-reaching control
Taxation System = Chauth & Sardeshmukhi sustained expansion
Adaptability = Recovered even after major setbacks
By the mid-18th century, the Marathas were effectively the dominant power in India, controlling vast territory, influencing Mughal succession, and maintaining a military presence across the subcontinent—until the rise of the British East India Company.
2. What were some features of their governance?
Ans – The Maratha governance system evolved over time—beginning with Shivaji’s centralized administration and later adapting into a decentralized confederacy during the Peshwa era. Still, several core features of Maratha governance remained consistent and effective, helping them manage vast and diverse territories.
Here are the key features of their governance:
Key features:
Ashtapradhan Council: A cabinet of 8 ministers, each responsible for a specific function:
Peshwa – Prime Minister
Amatya – Finance Minister
Mantri – Internal Affairs
Senapati – Military Commander
Sumant – Foreign Affairs
Nyayadhish – Justice
Panditrao – Religious Affairs
Sachiv – Documentation
3. What impact did the Maratha Empire leave in Indian history?
Ans – The Maratha Empire left a profound and lasting impact on Indian history—politically, militarily, socially, and culturally. Even though they were eventually subdued by the British, their influence shaped the transition from Mughal dominance to British colonial rule, and helped preserve certain indigenous political, military, and cultural traditions that otherwise might have been lost.
After Aurangzeb’s death (1707), the Marathas filled the power vacuum across much of India.
The Marathas helped revive the idea of Hindu political sovereignty, which had declined under centuries of foreign rule.
The Maratha Empire ultimately stands as a bridge between medieval and modern India, between Mughal imperialism and British colonialism, and between regional identity and pan-Indian political ambition.
4. Have you ever heard the term ‘bhakti’? What does it mean to you?
Ans – bhakti means devotion — specifically, loving, personal devotion to a deity or divine presence. It comes from the root “bhaj”, meaning “to share,” “to worship,” or “to love.”
Key Features:
Emphasized personal devotion over ritual or caste.
Rejected priestly intermediaries and rigid social structures.
Spoke in vernacular languages, making spiritual knowledge accessible.
Celebrated emotional, ecstatic love for the divine.
5. Choose a bhakti saint from any part of India and learn about their life, their teachings, and the message they shared.
Ans – let’s dive into the life and teachings of Sant Ramdas, a profound figure in the Bhakti tradition, particularly influential in Maharashtra and closely associated with spiritual and political awakening in 17th-century India.
Ramdas’s message was a blend of devotional bhakti, spiritual discipline, and patriotic action. Unlike many Bhakti saints who focused only on personal liberation, Ramdas emphasized social upliftment and collective strength.
“Do your duty with devotion, keep your mind pure, and never forget Rama.” – Ramdas
6. Analyse how geography (particularly mountains and coastlines) guided Maratha military strategy and state formation.
Ans – Geography played a crucial, strategic role in the Maratha military strategy and state formation. The Marathas emerged from the rugged Western Ghats and coastal Konkan region of Maharashtra, and they leveraged this difficult terrain to their advantage—both in resisting larger imperial powers and in projecting their influence across India.
Here’s an analysis of how mountains and coastlines guided their strategy, governance, and eventual imperial expansion:
Strategic Advantages:
Feature Role in Maratha Strategy
Natural Defense = The Western Ghats created a formidable barrier to invading armies like the Mughals, who struggled to navigate the terrain.
Fortress Network = Marathas built forts like Raigad, Rajgad, Sinhagad, Pratapgad, and Torna on hilltops, making them nearly impregnable.
Guerrilla Warfare = The mountains provided cover for fast, surprise attacks and rapid retreats (known as ganimi kava, or guerrilla tactics).
Control of Passes = Holding key passes (ghats) allowed Marathas to control trade, troop movement, and communication between the Konkan coast and Deccan interior.
The Marathas did not conquer through sheer numbers or wealth, but through strategic brilliance rooted in their mastery of terrain. Geography made them unpredictable, resilient, and incredibly mobile — traits that allowed them to challenge and outlast much stronger empires for over a century.
7. Imagine you are creating a short biography of a Maratha leader for younger students. Choose one personality (Kanhoji Angre, Bajirao I, Mahadji Shinde, Ahilyabai Holkar or Tarabai) and write 3-4 paragraphs highlighting what makes them inspirational. Include at least one challenge they overcame.
Ans – Tarabai: The Fearless Maratha Queen
Tarabai was one of the bravest women in Indian history. Born in 1675, she became a Maratha queen who led her people during one of the toughest times in the empire’s history. After the death of her husband, Rajaram, and with her young son still a child, Tarabai didn’t give up. Instead, she stepped forward to defend the Maratha Empire from the mighty Mughals—especially Emperor Aurangzeb, who wanted to crush the Marathas completely.
Even though she had never led an army before, Tarabai took charge with confidence. She dressed like a warrior, sat on horseback, and went to battlefields. Under her leadership, the Marathas fought back fiercely. She inspired soldiers, made smart decisions, and even set up her own government in Kolhapur. Her leadership kept the Maratha spirit alive at a time when many thought it would fade.
One of the biggest challenges Tarabai faced was being a woman in a male-dominated world. Many people didn’t believe a woman could lead an empire or command an army. But she proved them wrong with her bravery, intelligence, and strong will. Even her enemies respected her determination and strength.
Tarabai’s story teaches us about courage, resilience, and leadership. She showed that even in the darkest times, one strong person can make a big difference. Young readers can look up to her as a role model who never gave up, no matter how difficult the situation.
8. If you could visit one Maratha fort today (such as Raigad,
Sindhudurg, Gingee, or Pratapgad), which would you choose and why? Research its history, architecture, and strategic importance. Present your findings as a digital presentation or a poster in class.
Ans – If I could visit just one Maratha fort today, I’d choose Raigad Fort—the historic stronghold that served as the crowned seat of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s Hindavi Swarajya.
Historical Significance
Raigad Fort, perched atop a steep peak in the Sahyadri range, became the heart of the Maratha Empire when Shivaji Maharaj captured and rebuilt it in 1656 CE, making it his capital t was at Raigad that Shivaji Maharaj was crowned as “Chhatrapati” in 1674.
Strategic Importance
The fort housed a well-planned township with markets, granaries, temples, water reservoirs like Ganga Sagar Lake, and even served as an administrative nerve center.
Why Visit Raigad Fort Today?
A Living Legacy: Visiting Raigad means walking through the very place where a resilient and visionary kingdom was born.
Architectural Marvel: From its fortified gates and cliff-top towers to the acoustic royal court, it’s a showcase of military architecture adapted to nature.
Inspirational Stories: Tales like Hirakani’s courage breathe life into its stones—making history relatable.
Recognition & Preservation: Recently included in UNESCO’s “Maratha Military Landscapes of India,” Raigad’s global importance is more recognized than ever
9. The chapter states, “The British took India from the Marathas more than from the Mughals or any other power.” What do you think this means? What evidence from the chapter supports this idea?
Ans – The statement “The British took India from the Marathas more than from the Mughals or any other power” means that when the British expanded their control over India, the biggest and most significant resistance they faced—and ultimately defeated—was from the Maratha Empire. In other words, the Marathas were the main power that stood between British ambitions and control of most of India.
Evidence from the Chapter:
The chapter describes the Maratha Empire as the largest pan-Indian power after the Mughals, meaning they had widespread influence across India.
It talks about the three Anglo-Maratha Wars, which were key conflicts that gradually reduced Maratha power and expanded British territory.
The Marathas controlled strategically important forts, armies, and large areas, making them a powerful obstacle to British expansion.
After the Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817–1818), the Maratha Empire was effectively dismantled, and the British East India Company gained control over most of India.
Compared to the Mughals, who were more symbolic by this time, the Marathas were a real military and political power that the British had to overcome through prolonged conflict.
10. Compare how Shivaji and later Marathas treated religious places and people of different faiths. What evidence from the chapter shows their approach to religious diversity?
Ans – Comparing Shivaji’s and the later Marathas’ treatment of religious places and people from different faiths reveals a fairly inclusive and pragmatic approach toward religious diversity.
Shivaji’s Approach:
Shivaji was known for his respect toward all religions and religious sites, not just Hindu ones.
The chapter mentions that Shivaji protected temples and mosques alike during his campaigns.
He allowed freedom of worship for people of different faiths and respected religious leaders from various communities.
Shivaji’s policies were focused more on justice and protecting his subjects, regardless of religion.
For example, he is noted for safeguarding Muslim places of worship even while fighting Muslim rulers, showing religious tolerance.
He also employed people of different faiths in his administration and army, highlighting inclusiveness.
Later Marathas’ Approach:
The later Marathas largely followed Shivaji’s example of religious tolerance, especially since they ruled over a diverse population.
They generally respected religious diversity to maintain social harmony and political stability.
The chapter indicates that Maratha rulers, like Peshwas, although Hindu, did not persecute other faiths but rather allowed coexistence.
However, in some cases during military campaigns, religious sites could get caught in conflict, but there wasn’t a deliberate policy of targeting places based on faith.
The later Marathas also patronized temples but did so while maintaining respect for other religions.
Evidence from the Chapter:
The chapter highlights Shivaji’s protection of religious institutions of all faiths as a mark of his just rule.
It notes the Maratha administration’s employment of diverse communities, reflecting acceptance and integration.
There is mention of no forced conversions or religious discrimination policies under Maratha governance.
Instances of joint celebrations and cultural exchanges under the Marathas are also noted as signs of pluralism.
Summary:
Both Shivaji and the later Marathas showed a pragmatic respect for religious diversity. Their focus was on building a strong, unified state rather than promoting religious conflict. They protected religious places across faiths, employed people from different communities, and allowed peaceful coexistence.
This attitude helped the Maratha Empire flourish in a diverse society and gain loyalty from various groups.
11. The chapter describes how forts were ‘the core of the state’
for Marathas. Why were they so important? How did they
help the Marathas survive against larger enemies?
Ans – Forts were indeed the core of the Maratha state, and here’s why they were so important and how they helped the Marathas survive against bigger and stronger enemies:
Why Were Forts So Important to the Marathas?
Centers of Power and Administration:
Forts were not just military structures; they were administrative hubs where the Marathas managed their territories, collected taxes, and made decisions.
Military Strongholds:
Built on hills or strategic locations, forts were difficult to capture due to natural defenses like cliffs, narrow passes, and thick forests surrounding them.
Safe Havens:
When facing invasions or attacks from larger armies (like the Mughals or later the British), Maratha leaders, soldiers, and civilians could retreat to forts for protection.
Symbolic Importance:
Forts were symbols of Maratha pride and sovereignty, boosting morale and unity among their people.
How Did Forts Help the Marathas Survive Against Larger Enemies?
Defense and Delay:
The forts’ natural and man-made defenses made it hard for enemies to launch quick, successful attacks. This slowed down invaders, buying the Marathas valuable time to regroup or counterattack.
Guerrilla Warfare Base:
The Marathas mastered guerrilla tactics (ganimi kava), launching surprise attacks from the forts and then retreating quickly. The forts acted as bases for these hit-and-run strategies.
Control Over Territory:
By controlling a network of forts across Maharashtra and beyond, the Marathas controlled key trade routes, mountain passes, and communication lines, which were vital for military and economic strength.
Sustainability During Siege:
Forts often had granaries, water tanks, and supplies, allowing defenders to withstand long sieges without surrendering.
Summary:
Forts were like the Marathas’ shields and command centers. Their clever use of geography and fortifications allowed a smaller Maratha force to resist and outsmart much larger imperial armies. Without these forts, the Marathas would not have been able to build such a large and resilient empire.
12. You have been appointed as the chief designer for Maratha
coins. Design a coin that represents Maratha achievements
and values. Explain the symbols you choose.
Ans – Do it yourself.
13. After this introduction to the Maratha period, what do you
think was their most important contribution to Indian history? Write a paragraph supporting your opinion with examples from the chapter. Then share and discuss your ideas with classmates.
Ans – The most important contribution of the Marathas to Indian history was their role in ending Mughal dominance and establishing a strong, indigenous power that united large parts of India. The Maratha Empire, under leaders like Shivaji Maharaj, revived the idea of self-rule (Swarajya) after years of Mughal control, inspiring a spirit of resistance and pride among Indians. They developed effective governance systems and military strategies, including the extensive use of forts and guerrilla warfare, which allowed them to survive against larger imperial armies. The Marathas also promoted religious tolerance and cultural integration, ruling over diverse communities and respecting different faiths. Their conflict with the British marked a significant phase in Indian history, as the British had to defeat the Marathas before gaining control of most of India. Thus, the Marathas laid important groundwork for Indian political identity and resistance to foreign domination.