Maratha Governance, Expansion and Legacy: Class 8 Notes and Questions
Updated 17 October 2026 · Fact-checked
After Shivaji, the Marathas withstood Aurangzeb, expanded under Peshwas such as Bajirao I, suffered defeat at Panipat (1761) but recovered, and were finally ended by the British in three Anglo-Maratha wars (1775-1818). Their governance had a council of eight ministers, chauth and sardeshmukhi, forts, a navy under Kanhoji Angre, panchayat courts and a revival of Marathi, Sanskrit and the arts.
Follow the timeline: the Marathas outlasted Aurangzeb, lost at Panipat, recovered and retook Delhi, then fell to the British in 1818.
Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.
Understand Maratha Governance, Expansion and Legacy
Marathas after Shivaji. Shivaji had two sons, Sambhaji and Rajaram. After Shivaji's death in 1680 Sambhaji became Chhatrapati; the Marathas were then the only obstacle to total Mughal control of the Deccan. Aurangzeb conquered Bijapur and Golconda, captured and executed Sambhaji, and took Raigad. Rajaram, the next Chhatrapati, fled to Gingee (present Tamil Nadu), spreading the conflict south. NCERT's timeline gives the Mughal-Maratha wars as 1682-1707. Aurangzeb could not leave the Deccan and died without subduing the Marathas. Led by Rajaram's queen Tarabai, they then made large-scale inroads into Mughal territory.
Structure changes: Peshwas. The centralised state of Shivaji's time became more decentralised: still nominally centred on the Chhatrapati, but chiefs gained power. The Peshwa (a Persian term for prime minister) became highly influential. Bajirao I and his son Nanasaheb Peshwa were instrumental in pan-Indian expansion. NCERT adds that regional chiefs' autonomy sometimes brought indiscipline and abuse, in contrast with Shivaji's values.
Expansion and setbacks. The Marathas briefly controlled the areas of Lahore, Attock and Peshawar. They suffered a disastrous defeat at Panipat in 1761 against the Afghans but recovered under Peshwa Madhavrao I. Mahadji Shinde (Scindia) recaptured Delhi in 1771, held until the British took it about three decades later. NCERT's timeline marks Maratha control of Delhi beginning in 1754. The three Anglo-Maratha wars were fought between 1775 and 1818; the Marathas won the first (1775-1782) but disunity and the British's superior organisation and technology ended Maratha power in 1818. NCERT says the British took India from the Marathas more than from the Mughals or any other power. Nana Phadnavis is credited with the first pan-Indian anti-British alliance, uniting even with Hyder Ali and the Nizam.
Civilian administration (Shivaji). Relatively centralised: no hereditary posts and no land assignments; every official was paid a salary from the treasury; officials were transferred periodically so that none gained too much power. Pensions went to soldiers' widows and their sons were offered military posts. Officials were told not to oppress subjects. The Ashta Pradhan Mandal, a council of eight ministers, assisted him: Pradhan (prime minister), Amatya (finance), Sachiv (land revenue), Mantri (intelligence), Sumant (foreign affairs), Senapati (commander-in-chief), Nyayadhish (chief justice) and Pandit Rao (religious affairs; NCERT's figure labels it 'Panditrao').
Chauth and sardeshmukhi. Taxes levied on provinces not directly under Maratha rule: chauth was 25 per cent and sardeshmukhi an additional 10 per cent. In return the Marathas protected those provinces and did not interfere in their internal administration. The Mughals approved this arrangement in treaties, and some such provinces later became part of the empire. The Marathas also blended coinage traditions, as in the Ganapati-Pantapradhan rupee with Devanagari and Persian inscriptions.
Military. Three arms: infantry, cavalry and navy. The cavalry had bargirs (horses and equipment paid by the state) and shiledars (who paid for their own). Mahadji Shinde built a large European-style army. Swords and lances were preferred but guns were used in sizeable numbers, and rockets from Shivaji's time, with metal-tube rockets by 1770. Forts were the mainstay.
Navy. In the 18th century Kanhoji Angre won many naval battles through clever use of geography and tactics although Maratha ships were less advanced than European ones. The Marathas challenged the European system of compulsory naval passes (the Portuguese *cartaz*) by demanding passes from Europeans; frustrated Europeans called Angre a 'pirate'.
Justice and trade. The village panchayat (a local gathering of officials and prominent men, not today's governmental Panchayat) was the main justice body, with appeal to a Maratha chief; capital punishment was used with moderation. The *kotwal* (police) kept order in major towns such as Pune and Indore. Shivaji encouraged trade and sent ships to Mocha, Muscat and Malacca; roads, bridges and ferries were maintained.
Culture. Shivaji's seal carried a Sanskrit inscription, unlike prevalent Persian seals. The *Rajya-Vyavahara-Kosha* gave Sanskrit equivalents for Persian terms in diplomacy. The *Modi* script was the main script of correspondence. Tarabai is described as the architect of northward expansion who preserved Maratha independence in a critical period. Ahilyabai Holkar governed the Holkar state around Indore for thirty years, built and restored temples, ghats, wells and roads from Kedarnath to Rameswaram, rebuilt the Kashi Vishwanath and Somnath temples, and promoted Maheshwar weaving. At Thanjavur, where Ekoji, Shivaji's half-brother, began Maratha rule in the late 17th century, Serfoji II patronised arts: modern Carnatic music took shape and early Bharatanatyam developed in his time. He started a printing press (the first by a native ruler, per NCERT) and the Dhanwantari Mahal, a centre of free treatment by Indian and Western medicine.
Legacy. NCERT: the Marathas challenged Mughal dominance and built the largest Indian empire before the British took over, governing efficiently and reviving local traditions without religious discrimination. Swarajya later inspired Indians to believe they could govern themselves.
Maratha Governance, Expansion and Legacy: key facts
- Ashta Pradhan Mandal
Pradhan PM Amatya finance Sachiv land revenue Mantri intelligence Sumant foreign affairs Senapati commander Nyayadhish chief justice Pandit Rao religious affairs - Eight ministers.
- Tax on provinces outside direct rule
- Chauth 25 per cent | Sardeshmukhi additional 10 per cent
- In return for protection, no interference.
- Key dates
1682-1707 Mughal-Maratha wars 1754 Delhi control begins 1761 Panipat 1771 Delhi recaptured 1775-1818 Anglo-Maratha wars - From the NCERT timeline and text.
- Cavalry types
- Bargirs: state pays | Shiledars: self-equipped
- Do not swap.
- Notable Maratha figures
- Tarabai
- Bajirao I
- Nanasaheb Peshwa
- Madhavrao I
- Mahadji Shinde
- Kanhoji Angre
- Ahilyabai Holkar
- Serfoji II
- One line of contribution each.
How to answer Maratha Governance, Expansion and Legacy questions
Questions ask for features of administration, comparison of Shivaji's rule with later rule, reasons for the Marathas' rise and fall, and contributions of individuals.
- 1Group answers under civil, military, naval, judicial, trade and cultural headings.
- 2For ministers, give the title and the portfolio together.
- 3For the fall, give both internal disunity and the British's organisation and technology.
- 4Contrast centralised (Shivaji) with decentralised (Peshwa era) with an NCERT point on each.
- 5Close with legacy: Swarajya and the idea of self-governance.
Maratha Governance, Expansion and Legacy in real life
The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.
Chauth as protection payment
Suppose a neighbouring town agrees to pay a fixed share of its yearly tax receipts to a stronger regional council in exchange for protection, and the council promises not to interfere in how the town is run.
Which Maratha arrangement does this resemble, and what did each side gain?
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- A fixed share of revenue is paid for protection.
- The paying town keeps its internal administration.
- The stronger side gains revenue and influence.
Answer: It resembles chauth and sardeshmukhi: provinces not directly under Maratha rule paid 25 per cent (chauth) plus an additional 10 per cent (sardeshmukhi) and got protection without interference in their internal administration, while the Marathas gained revenue and growing influence.
Memory hook: Pay a share, keep your self-rule.
Tricks to remember Maratha Governance, Expansion and Legacy
Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.
25 + 10
Chauth = 25 per cent; sardeshmukhi = 10 per cent more.
Use it when: Maratha taxes.
PASM-SSNP
Pradhan, Amatya, Sachiv, Mantri, Sumant, Senapati, Nyayadhish, Pandit Rao.
Use it when: Eight ministers.
Bargir = Budget (state)
Bargir: the Budget (state) pays; Shiledar: Self pays.
Use it when: Cavalry types.
Maratha Governance, Expansion and Legacy: solved examples
Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.
Example 1: Chauth rate · 1 mark · MCQBoard level
The tax called chauth levied by the Marathas was:
(a) 10 per cent
(b) 25 per cent
(c) 35 per cent
(d) 50 per cent
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- NCERT gives chauth as 25 per cent, with sardeshmukhi an additional 10 per cent (1 mark).
Answer: (b) 25 per cent
Example 2: Why the Marathas lost (3 marks) · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Give three reasons why Maratha power ended in 1818. (3 marks)
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- Increased internal disunity among Maratha chiefs (1 mark).
- Superior organisational ability of the British (1 mark).
- Superior technology of the British; three Anglo-Maratha wars (1775-1818) (1 mark).
Answer: NCERT says the Marathas lost their power in the three Anglo-Maratha wars fought between 1775 and 1818 because of increased internal disunity among their chiefs and the British's superior organisational and technological abilities. Regional chiefs had gained so much autonomy that unity was hard to maintain.
Example 3: Assertion-reason: Shivaji's civil service · 1 mark · Assertion-reasonHarder board level
Assertion (A): Shivaji's officials were transferred periodically.
Reason (R): This ensured that they would not gain enough power to dictate terms to the king.
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true.
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- NCERT states both, and R is the stated purpose (1 mark).
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Example 4: Administration of Shivaji (5 marks) · 5 marks · Long answerHarder board level
Explain the main features of Shivaji's civilian administration, and show how they differed from the practice of the Sultans or the Mughals. (5 marks)
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- He instituted a relatively centralised administration (1 mark).
- He abolished hereditary posts and land assignments, which were generally practised under the Sultans or Mughals (1 mark).
- Every official was paid a salary from the treasury (1 mark).
- Officials were periodically transferred; a council of eight ministers assisted (1 mark).
- Welfare: pensions for widows of soldiers and military posts for their sons (1 mark).
Answer: Shivaji's administration was relatively centralised. Unlike the practice generally followed under the Sultans or the Mughals, he abolished hereditary posts and land assignments and paid every official a salary out of the state treasury. Many officials were transferred from time to time so that none gained enough power to dictate terms to the king. A council of eight ministers, the Ashta Pradhan Mandal, assisted him. He also cared for soldiers' families by giving pensions to widows and military posts to their sons, and he instructed officials not to mistreat subjects.
Example 5: Case: Thanjavur under Serfoji II · 4 marks · Case-basedHOTS / competency
Read the case and answer.
Ekoji, Shivaji's half-brother, conquered the Thanjavur region in the late 17th century. The Marathas became great patrons of the arts. Serfoji II knew many Indian and European languages and wrote a Marathi play, Devendra Kuravanji. Modern Carnatic music took shape in his time, as did early Bharatanatyam. He founded the Dhanwantari Mahal, which gave free treatment using Indian and Western medicine, started a printing press, and had the history of the Bhonsle family inscribed at the Brihadishwara temple. The cultural environment mixed Tamil, Telugu and Marathi influences.
(i) Who began Maratha rule at Thanjavur? (1)
(ii) Name two fields in which Serfoji II contributed. (1)
(iii) Why is Thanjavur called a 'syncretic' culture in the chapter? (2)
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- (i) Ekoji (1 mark).
- (ii) Any two: music and dance patronage, medicine, printing, literature, history inscription (1 mark).
- (iii) Local Tamil culture, the Telugu culture of earlier rulers and the Marathi culture of the new rulers interacted freely, creating a rich, innovative mixed culture (2 marks).
Answer: (i) Ekoji. (ii) Music and dance (modern Carnatic music and early Bharatanatyam) and medicine (the Dhanwantari Mahal); also printing and literature. (iii) Tamil culture, the Telugu culture of the former rulers and the Marathi culture of the new rulers interacted freely, producing a blended, multilingual culture rich in innovation.
Where students lose marks in Maratha Governance, Expansion and Legacy
The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.
Mistake: Writing chauth as 10 per cent
Mixing it with sardeshmukhi.
Wrong working
Chauth was 10 per cent and sardeshmukhi 25 per cent.
Right working
Chauth 25 per cent; sardeshmukhi an additional 10 per cent.
Do this: Chauth = 'four' = a quarter.
Usually costs: 1 mark.
Mistake: Treating the panchayat of Maratha courts as the modern Panchayat
Same word.
Wrong working
The Maratha panchayat was a government body like today's Panchayat.
Right working
It was a local gathering of officials and prominent men that delivered justice.
Do this: Note NCERT's caution.
Usually costs: 1 mark.
Mistake: Naming only one reason for decline
Memory shortcut.
Wrong working
The Marathas lost because of British weapons.
Right working
Internal disunity plus British organisation and technology.
Do this: Always give an internal and an external cause.
Usually costs: 1-2 marks.
Exam tips
- For 'administration' answers use a six-heading frame: civil, military, naval, judicial, trade, culture.
- Learn one achievement for each named figure (Tarabai, Bajirao I, Mahadji Shinde, Kanhoji Angre, Ahilyabai Holkar, Serfoji II).
- Cite 1761 and 1771 together: defeat at Panipat then recapture of Delhi.
- The title is written Pandit Rao (NCERT's figure labels it 'Panditrao'); give it as the minister for religious affairs.
Practice questions on Maratha Governance, Expansion and Legacy
Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.
Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level
The Maratha cavalry soldiers whose horses and equipment were paid for by the state were called:
(a) Shiledars
(b) Bargirs
(c) Sardeshmukhs
(d) PeshwasHint
Two types of cavalry.
Answer
(b) Bargirs
Q2 · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level
How did the Maratha navy in the 18th century challenge the system of naval passes imposed by Europeans? (2 marks)
Hint
Naval passes.
Answer
Kanhoji Angre led the Marathas to victory in many 18th-century naval battles. Europeans forced Indians to buy naval passes (cartaz) and confiscated ships without them; the Marathas began demanding passes from Europeans, who then called Angre a 'pirate' in frustration.
Q3 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Describe the Maratha judicial system. (3 marks)
Hint
Panchayat, appeal, kotwal, capital punishment.
Answer
The main body that delivered justice was the panchayat, a local gathering of officials and prominent men (not today's governmental Panchayat). If the verdict was unsatisfactory an appeal could be made to a Maratha chief. In prominent towns like Pune and Indore the kotwal (police) maintained law and order. The system was noted for moderation in using capital punishment.
Q4 · 1 mark · Assertion-reasonHarder board level
Assertion (A): Peshwas became very influential in the 18th century Maratha state.
Reason (R): The Maratha state became more decentralised, with the chiefs wielding more power, though nominally centred on the Chhatrapati.
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true.Hint
Centralised versus decentralised.
Answer
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Q5 · 5 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency
Evaluate the statement: 'The British took India from the Marathas more than from the Mughals or any other power.' Support it with evidence from the chapter and mention one limit of the claim. (5 marks)
Hint
Largest empire, Delhi control, Anglo-Maratha wars, internal disunity.
Answer
The Marathas had by the 18th century expanded across much of central and northern India, briefly reaching Lahore, Attock and Peshawar, and held Delhi from 1771 until the British took it about three decades later. They were the British's chief rivals in the latter half of the century, and three Anglo-Maratha wars between 1775 and 1818 ended their power. So when the British finished the Marathas, they in effect acquired the dominant position in India. A limit of the claim is that NCERT also attributes the Maratha defeat to their own increasing disunity, and that other regional powers also resisted the British, so conquest was not the work of one war. The statement is therefore best read as describing the Marathas as the most substantial power the British had to overcome.
Test your recall
Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.
1.What was the Ashta Pradhan Mandal?Show answer
Shivaji's council of eight ministers.
2.Who recaptured Delhi for the Marathas in 1771?Show answer
Mahadji Shinde.
3.Which Maratha queen led resistance after Rajaram?Show answer
Tarabai.
4.Which scripts appear on the Ganapati-Pantapradhan rupee?Show answer
Devanagari and Persian.
5.Who began Maratha rule at Thanjavur?Show answer
Ekoji.
Maratha Governance, Expansion and Legacy: frequently asked questions
What were chauth and sardeshmukhi?
Taxes levied by the Marathas on provinces not directly under them: chauth 25 per cent and sardeshmukhi an additional 10 per cent, in return for protection.
Who were the Peshwas?
Prime ministers of the Maratha state (Peshwa is a Persian term) who came to wield great influence, such as Bajirao I and Nanasaheb Peshwa.
What was the Maratha legacy?
Challenging Mughal dominance, building the largest Indian empire before the British, efficient administration, reviving local traditions, and the idea of Swarajya inspiring Indians to believe in self-rule.