The Holkars of Indore and Ahilyabai
If the foundation of a house is strong it stands for years. Malharrao laid such a foundation for the Holkar house of Indore.
A sardar family is one whose members gave great service to the Maratha State. In expanding Maratha rule in the North the Holkars, Shindes, Bhosales, Gaikwads and Pawars gave a great contribution.
Key idea 1 : Malharrao Holkar — Malharrao was the founder of Holkar rule at Indore. He was well-versed in guerrilla warfare; he proved his valour in the northern campaigns in the time of Bajirao I and Nanasaheb. He had a role in establishing Maratha supremacy in Malwa and Rajputana. After Panipat he gave great help to Peshwa Madhavrao in reviving Maratha prestige in the North.
Key idea 2 : Punyashloka Ahilyabai — Ahilyabai was the wife of Khanderao, Malharrao’s son. Khanderao died in the battle of Kumbheri; after a few days Malharrao also passed away. Ahilyabai then took charge of the Indore administration. She was a capable, astute and excellent administrator. By making new laws for agricultural cess and revenue collection she put the affairs of the State in order. She tried to bring more land under cultivation, dig wells for farmers, promote trade and industry and build lakes and tanks.
Key idea 3 : Temples, ghats and justice — At all important pilgrimage places in the four quarters of India she built temples, ghats, maths, dharamshalas and drinking-water facilities. This effort is important for the cultural integration of the country. She looked into judicial matters personally and dispensed justice; she was generous and loved books. She ruled ably for 28 years, raised Maratha prestige in the North and made her people happy. Later when the kingdom was declining, Yashwantrao Holkar tried to save it.
- Easy : Who founded Holkar rule at Indore? — Malharrao.
- Medium : How many years did Ahilyabai rule? — 28.
- Exam-type : In which battle did Khanderao die? — Kumbheri.
In the figure: Main persons of the Holkar family.
What happened before Ahilyabai taking over Indore? Khanderao died in the battle of Kumbheri and within days Malharrao Holkar also passed away. The question arose who would run Indore.
What happened after Ahilyabai taking over Indore? Ahilyabai took the reins, improved revenue, farming and judiciary and built temples and ghats across the country. During 28 years of her rule Indore remained peaceful and prosperous.
As per the textbook Ahilyabai built wells and tanks for farmers and ghats and dharamshalas at pilgrimage places; she is called ‘Punyashloka’.
Malharrao = foundation; Ahilyabai = 28 years + temples-ghats.
Ahilyabai was not a commander; she was an excellent administrator.
Memory clue: Ahilyabai = wells + ghats + justice.
Spot the difference
| Person | Role | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Malharrao | Founder | Malwa-Rajputana |
| Ahilyabai | Administrator | Justice, temples, ghats |
Practice questions
- 1Who was Malharrao Holkar?
- 2How did Ahilyabai take charge?
- 3What did Ahilyabai do for farmers?
- 4What facilities did Ahilyabai provide at pilgrimage places?
- 5Why is her work important for cultural integration?
- 6What did Yashwantrao Holkar try?
- 7Write three features of Ahilyabai’s administration.
- 8Write the importance of a lake/well in your village.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Founder of Holkar rule at Indore.
- 2After the deaths of Khanderao and Malharrao.
- 3Dug wells, increased cultivated land.
- 4Temples, ghats, maths, dharamshalas and water facilities.
- 5Common cultural landmarks arose across four directions of the country.
- 6To save the declining Maratha kingdom.
- 7Laws, justice, public welfare.
- 8E.g. water for farms, support for the village.
Bhosales of Nagpur, Gaikwads and Pawars
When each takes responsibility for his area the whole team’s work becomes easy. Maratha sardars took responsibility for different regions.
A jagir is a territory granted by the king for service. Shahu Maharaj gave Parasoji Bhosale the jagir of Varhad and Gondwan.
Key idea 1 : The Bhosales of Nagpur — In Shahu Maharaj’s reign Parasoji Bhosale got the jagir of Varhad and Gondwan. Among the Bhosales of Nagpur Raghuji was the bravest and most capable. In the South he brought the area around Tiruchirappalli and Arcot under Maratha dominance. Shahu Maharaj had assigned him chauthai rights of Bengal, Bihar and Odisha; he brought these territories under Maratha dominance. In 1751 the Bhosales won Odisha from Alivardi Khan; till 1803 the Marathas dominated Odisha.
Key idea 2 : The Maratha ditch — The British at Kolkata used to fear the Bhosales of Nagpur. To protect Kolkata city from a possible Maratha attack they dug a ditch around the city; it came to be known as the ‘Maratha ditch’. The ditch showed the strength of the Bhosales.
Key idea 3 : Gaikwads, Pawars and the navy — Khanderao Dabhade and his son Trimbakrao laid the foundation of Maratha power in Gujarat. After Khanderao’s death his wife Umabai routed the Mughal sardar of Ahmedabad and conquered the fort there. Later the Gaikwads made Vadodara in Gujarat the seat of their power. The Pawars of Dhar and Dewas in Madhya Pradesh rendered valuable assistance to the Shindes and Holkars in expanding Maratha power in the North. The navy raised by Shivaji Maharaj was strengthened by Kanhoji Angre and his son Tulaji; with it they contained the naval powers of the Portuguese, British and Siddis.
- Easy : Who was the bravest Bhosale? — Raghuji.
- Medium : The seat of the Gaikwads? — Vadodara.
- Exam-type : Who conquered the Ahmedabad fort? — Umabai.
In the figure: Sardar houses and their regions.
What happened before Raghuji Bhosale’s campaigns? Shahu Maharaj had given Raghuji Bhosale the chauthai right of Bengal, Bihar and Odisha. To enforce this right Raghuji undertook campaigns towards the east.
What happened after Raghuji Bhosale’s campaigns? In 1751 the Bhosales won Odisha and Maratha dominance lasted there till 1803. The British at Kolkata dug a ditch around the city out of fear.
The ‘Maratha Ditch’ of Kolkata is a textbook record; the fear was of an attack by the Bhosales.
Nagpur = Bhosale; Vadodara = Gaikwad; Dhar-Dewas = Pawar.
Not all sardars fought only in the North; the Bhosales were active in the east and south too.
Memory clue: Bhosale = east; Gaikwad = Gujarat; Pawar = Dhar-Dewas.
Spot the difference
| House | Seat | Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Bhosale | Nagpur | Odisha, Bengal |
| Gaikwad | Vadodara | Gujarat |
| Pawar | Dhar-Dewas | Help in the North |
Practice questions
- 1Which jagir did Parasoji Bhosale get?
- 2Write the work of Raghuji Bhosale.
- 3What is the Maratha ditch?
- 4Till when was Odisha under the Marathas?
- 5What did Umabai do?
- 6Which city did the Gaikwads make their seat?
- 7What was the contribution of the Pawars?
- 8What did Kanhoji Angre and Tulaji do for the navy?
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Varhad and Gondwan.
- 2Won Tiruchirappalli-Arcot in the South; chauthai in Bengal-Bihar-Odisha.
- 3The ditch dug around Kolkata out of fear of Maratha attack.
- 4Till 1803.
- 5Routed the Mughal sardar of Ahmedabad and took the fort.
- 6Vadodara.
- 7Valuable help to the Shindes and Holkars in the North.
- 8Strengthened the navy and contained the Portuguese, British and Siddis.
Mahadji Shinde and Nana Phadnavis
If an old style of play does not suit a new ground, the style has to change. Mahadji changed the training of his army to suit the ground.
Vakil-i-Mutlak means chief agent of the emperor; the post gives civil and military authority. The emperor conferred this title on Mahadji Shinde.
Key idea 1 : Mahadji Shinde — Bajirao I had rightly judged the capabilities of Ranoji Shinde and made him a sardar in the North. After Ranoji’s death his sons Jayappa, Dattaji and Mahadji proved their valour. Peshwa Madhavrao conferred the family title on Mahadji. Mahadji was a brave general and an astute statesman. He realised that Maratha guerrilla tactics would not suit warfare in the plains of the North; so he trained his army and modernised his artillery under the guidance of the French military expert de Boigne. With this army he subdued the Rohillas, Jats, Rajputs and Bundellas.
Key idea 2 : Saving Delhi and Vakil-i-Mutlak — Thinking the Marathas had weakened after Panipat, the British took interest in Delhi politics; they got the Diwani of Bengal and wanted to capture the Emperor of Delhi. In these circumstances Mahadji defeated the British and reinstated the Emperor on the throne. The Emperor, pleased by his bravery, conferred on him the title Vakil-i-Mutlak. He accepted the post on behalf of the minor Peshwa Sawai Madhavrao. Due to this the Marathas gained full control of the Empire. Mahadji looked after Delhi affairs during 1784 to 1794. Najibkhan’s grandson Ghulam Kadir captured the Red Fort and troubled the Emperor for wealth; Mahadji defeated him, recovered the wealth, returned it to the Emperor and reinstated him on the throne.
Key idea 3 : Battle of Wadgaon and Nana Phadnavis — Due to family feuds among the Peshwas Raghunathrao went to the British camp; this made a clash between the Marathas and the British inevitable. From Mumbai the British marched via Borghat; the Maratha army gathered under Mahadji. The Marathas blocked the British supply of foodgrain with guerrilla tactics, and the British were defeated at Wadgaon (on today’s Pune-Mumbai road); they had to hand Raghunathrao over to the Marathas. Later Mahadji died at Wanawadi where his memorial stands. While Mahadji was busy in the North, Nana Phadnavis managed the South and with the help of the Patwardhans, Haripant Phadke, Rastes and other sardars established Maratha supremacy in the South. Delhi was under Maratha control till 1803.
- Easy : Which title did the emperor give Mahadji? — Vakil-i-Mutlak.
- Medium : Mahadji’s French military guide? — de Boigne.
- Exam-type : Where is Mahadji’s memorial? — Wanawadi (Pune).
In the figure: Steps in Mahadji’s achievements.
What happened before Mahadji’s work at Delhi? Thinking the Marathas had weakened after Panipat, the British tried to take control of the emperor of Delhi.
What happened after Mahadji’s work at Delhi? Mahadji defeated the British and restored the emperor to the throne; the Marathas regained the prestige lost after Panipat and Delhi remained under Maratha control till 1803.
As per the textbook Mahadji judged guerrilla tactics unsuitable for plains warfare and, with the French expert de Boigne, raised a trained army.
Mahadji = de Boigne + Vakil-i-Mutlak; Nana = South.
Mahadji did not make himself emperor; he acted as the emperor’s agent on behalf of the Peshwa.
Memory clue: Mahadji = North; Nana = South.
Spot the difference
| Person | Region | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Mahadji Shinde | North | Protected Delhi |
| Nana Phadnavis | South | Administration, sardars’ help |
Practice questions
- 1Who was Mahadji Shinde?
- 2What change did Mahadji make in the army?
- 3What is Vakil-i-Mutlak?
- 4What did Mahadji do against Ghulam Kadir?
- 5What was the result of the battle of Wadgaon?
- 6State the contribution of Nana Phadnavis.
- 7Till when was Delhi under Maratha control?
- 8Write the importance of Mahadji’s work in five sentences.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Brave general and astute statesman; Maratha sardar in the North.
- 2Trained army and modern artillery.
- 3Chief agent of the emperor.
- 4Defeated him and returned the wealth to the emperor.
- 5The British lost and had to hand Raghunathrao to the Marathas.
- 6Managed the South and established supremacy with sardars’ help.
- 7Till 1803.
- 8E.g. adopting new methods leaving guerrilla tactics.
End of Maratha rule
If the captain is weak and players quarrel, the team loses. This happened in the final period of the Marathas.
The medieval period is the middle part of history; with the end of Maratha power the medieval period of Indian history ended and the modern period began.
Key idea 1 : Bajirao II and strife among sardars — After the deaths of Mahadji Shinde and Nana Phadnavis Maratha power began to wane. At that time Bajirao II, the son of Raghunathrao, was the Peshwa. He lacked leadership qualities and had many vices. He could not unite the Maratha sardars. Internal strife among the sardars weakened their power.
Key idea 2 : Pune and Ashti — During Bajirao II’s time Maratha influence in both North and South declined further; the British replaced the Marathas. In 1817 the British captured Pune and hoisted the ‘Union Jack’ there. In 1818 the British defeated the Marathas in the battle of Ashti in Solapur district and Maratha power finally ended.
Key idea 3 : Beginning of the modern period — This event brought a major change in the history of India. The British gained control over a major part of India. India came into contact with the Western world; this led to many changes in India’s social system. Many old things became redundant or were pushed aside. The medieval period of Indian history ended and the modern period began. The textbook says that when we note the British conquered India after battling the Marathas, we understand the importance of Mahadji’s achievements.
- Easy : In which battle did Maratha power end? — Ashti (1818).
- Medium : When did the British capture Pune? — 1817.
- Exam-type : Which flag did the British hoist in Pune? — Union Jack.
In the figure: From 1803 to the start of the modern period.
What happened before The battle of Ashti? Bajirao II could not keep the sardars united and the strife among sardars kept reducing Maratha strength. The British took Pune in 1817.
What happened after The battle of Ashti? In 1818 Maratha power ended at the battle of Ashti; the British gained control over a major part of India and the modern period began in Indian history.
As per the textbook Maratha power ended after the battle of Ashti in 1818. (Sources give the exact date as 19 or 20 February; check with the textbook.)
17 Pune; 18 Ashti; medieval era ended.
Bajirao II was Raghunathrao’s son; he was not Bajirao I.
Memory clue: 1817 = Pune; 1818 = Ashti.
Spot the difference
| Factor | Marathas | British |
|---|---|---|
| Leadership | Bajirao II weak | Organised |
| Sardars | Mutual strife | Single policy |
Practice questions
- 1Who was Bajirao II?
- 2Why did Maratha power decline?
- 3What happened in 1817?
- 4Where and when was the battle of Ashti?
- 5What effect did the end of Maratha power have on India?
- 6How did the modern period begin as the medieval ended?
- 7Discuss the reasons for the end of Maratha power.
- 8Write four sentences on the power of unity.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Raghunathrao’s son and the last Peshwa.
- 2Lack of leadership and strife among sardars.
- 3The British took Pune and hoisted the Union Jack.
- 4In Solapur district; in 1818.
- 5The British gained control over a major part of India.
- 6After the end, contact with the Western world grew and changes followed.
- 7Weak leadership, strife among sardars, growing British strength.
- 8E.g. unity eases and division hardens tasks.