Causes of the Rise of the Marathas
The region of the Marathas consisted of a narrow
strip of land called Konkan. Its precipitous mountains, inaccessible valleys
and impregnable hill-forts were most favourable for military defence. The
Marathas claimed a long tradition of military prowess and prided themselves on
their loyalty, courage, discipline, cunningness, and endurance. They had
earlier served under the Bahmani Sultans and later, after its disintegration,
under the Sultans of Ahmadnagar, Bijapur, Golconda, Bidar and Berar.
Marathas avoided direct battles with the Mughal
armies that were equipped with strong cavalry and deadly cannons.
"Guerrilla warfare" was their strength. They possessed the ability to
plan and execute the surprise lightning attacks at night. Further, they
exhibited skills to change their tactics according to the battle situation
without waiting for orders from a superior officer.
The spread of the Bhakti movement inculcated the
spirit of oneness among the Marathas. Tukaram, Ramdas, and Eknath were the
leading lights of the movement. The hymns of the Bhakti saints were sung in
Marathi and they created a bond among people across the society.
“The religious revival [in Maratha country] was not
Brahmanical” in its orthodoxy, it was heterodox in its spirit of protest
against forms, ceremonies and class distinctions. The saints sprang chiefly
from the lower order of the society other than Brahmins. – Justice Ranade.
The degeneration of Bijapur and Golkonda prompted
the Marathas to unite and fight together. The Deccan wars against the Sultans
of Bijapur, Golkonda and Ahmednagar had exhausted the Mughal treasury. Shivaji
rallied the Marathas who lay scattered in many parts of Deccan under his
leadership and built a mighty kingdom, with Raigad as the capital.
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