Account for the rise of the Maratha power in the eighteenth century.

Answer:

The rise of Maratha power in the 18th century was the result of Mughal decline, Maratha military mobility, revenue claims, able leadership and flexible political organisation. After Aurangzeb’s death, the Marathas expanded from a regional Deccan force into a major all-India power.

Causes of Rise

• The weakening of Mughal authority created a political vacuum in the Deccan and North India.
• Maratha claims of chauth and sardeshmukhi provided fiscal resources for expansion.
• Light cavalry and mobile warfare helped them raid, negotiate and expand rapidly.
• The Peshwas, especially Baji Rao I, gave dynamic leadership and extended Maratha influence into Malwa, Gujarat and Bundelkhand.
• The confederate structure allowed houses like Scindia, Holkar, Gaekwad and Bhonsle to expand in different regions.

Wider Context

However, the same confederate structure later created disunity. Satish Chandra and Stewart Gordon highlight the Maratha combination of military mobility and revenue extraction. Thus, Maratha power rose because it exploited Mughal weakness, developed flexible military-fiscal methods and adapted to the regionalised politics of the 18th century.