The Rise of the Marathas 8 Social Science Chapter 3 CBSE Notes 2025-26

The Marathas were originally a community from the Deccan plateau, mainly present-day Maharashtra. They are recognized for their language, Marathi, and their deep literary and cultural traditions that date back to the 12th century. In medieval India, their identity was shaped by political ambitions, cultural unity, and spirited leadership.

Origins and Cultural Foundation During the 13th and early 14th centuries, Maharashtra was ruled by the Yadava dynasty and later conquered by the Khilji Sultanate from Delhi. 

Despite these political upheavals, Maharashtra retained a strong cultural base thanks to the influence of Bhakti saints like Dnyaneshwar, Namdev, Tukaram, and Ramdas. The Bhakti movement encouraged devotion through poetry and songs in local languages and promoted unity and social consciousness.

In this fertile social ground, influential leaders rose, most notably Shivaji Maharaj, who united the Marathas into a political force. Early attempts at building sovereignty had failed, but Shivaji’s leadership provided inspiration for enduring unity.

Rise of Shivaji and Foundation of Maratha Power Shivaji Bhonsle was born in 1630 in Pune to Shahji and Jijabai. Guided by his mother and close counselors, he inherited values of justice and courage. 

Starting at age 16, he captured and strengthened neglected forts in the Pune region, established control over key territories, and visualized a self-ruled kingdom, ‘Swarajya’. Shivaji innovated by creating the Maratha navy in 1657, a unique step among Indian powers of the time.

Shivaji employed guerrilla tactics—using the mountain terrain and surprise attacks to defeat stronger enemies. A key event was the defeat of Afzal Khan at Pratapgad, for which Shivaji used the concealed claw weapon called wāgh nakh.

He also successfully raided big opponents like Shaista Khan and the port city of Surat, carefully avoiding harm to religious sites and charitable people. His resilience and clever planning made him a hero in contemporary chronicles.

Expansion and Conflicts After major victories and setbacks—including a temporary defeat against Mughal general Jai Singh—Shivaji escaped Mughal captivity using an ingenious plan. 

His 1674 coronation at Raigad symbolized Maratha independence and the start of a new era (‘Rajyabhisheka shaka’). He expanded his territory through the southern conquest (dakshina-digvijaya), safeguarded people’s rights, and forbade unfair practices like the European slave trade on Indian soil.

Following Shivaji’s death at fifty, his sons Sambhaji and Rajaram faced continuous Mughal attacks, especially by Aurangzeb. The Marathas resisted, with Rajaram’s queen Tarabai leading bold invasions into Mughal-controlled areas. Eventually, the Marathas resurfaced as a major power, extending influence northward under Peshwas and other leaders.

Administration and Governance Shivaji set up a centralised administration, abolished hereditary offices, and paid officials fixed salaries from the treasury. Soldier welfare was emphasized—widows received pensions, and sons could obtain military posts. There was strict guidance for responsible forest management and care for common people.

The council of eight ministers (Ashta Pradhana Mandal) included key roles like the Amatya (Finance), Mantri (Intelligence), Sachiv (Land Revenue), Nyayadhish (Chief Justice), Panditrao (Religious Affairs), Senapati (Commander-in-Chief), Sumant (Foreign Affairs), and Pradhan (Prime Minister), all under the supreme Chhatrapati.

They often collected taxes called ‘chauth’ (25%) and ‘sardeshmukhi’ (additional 10%) from provinces they protected. These arrangements were sometimes formalized with the Mughal rulers.

Military and Navy The Maratha forces had infantry, cavalry, and a powerful navy. The cavalry was split between state-sponsored soldiers (bargirs) and self-equipped soldiers (shiledars). 

They also used rockets, swords, and guns. Forts were central to Maratha defense and strategy, as highlighted in Ramachandrapant Amatya’s ‘Ādnyāpatra’. Kanhoji Angre was famous for establishing Maratha naval supremacy, challenging even European powers.

Judicial and Economic Systems Local justice was dispensed by the panchayat, with appeals possible to Maratha chiefs. In cities, kotwals kept law and order. Shivaji promoted foreign trade by sending ships as far as Yemen, Oman, and Malaysia, building roads and bridges to support internal commerce.

Cultural Revival and Women Leaders Shivaji contributed significantly to Indian culture through his support for Sanskrit and Marathi, the promotion of indigenous scripts like Modi, temple restorations, literature, and arts. His seal included Sanskrit, symbolizing revival. 

The Maratha queens, like Tarabai and Ahilyabai Holkar, made notable contributions: Tarabai led armies against the Mughals, Ahilyabai rebuilt famous temples and promoted the arts and crafts of her realm.

The Marathas of Thanjavur exemplified cultural fusion, supporting the arts, literature, medicine, and even printing. Under rulers like Serfoji II, they fostered multilingual and multi-religious harmony.

Maratha Legacy The Maratha Empire broke Mughal dominance, built the largest Indian-ruled empire after the Mughals, and resisted British expansion until the early 19th century. Their innovative administration, cultural confidence, and the spirit of Swarajya inspired later demands for self-rule in India.

Key points for revision include:

• The Marathas, under Shivaji, developed a strong regional base and cultural identity in Maharashtra.
• Shivaji’s use of guerrilla warfare and fort-centered defense strategies was revolutionary.
• Their navy challenged European dominance on India’s western coast.
• A robust administrative system trusted merit and limited hereditary power.
• Maratha expansion later covered much of central and north India, before ultimately falling to the British after three Anglo-Maratha wars.
• The contributions of women like Ahilyabai Holkar and Tarabai were vital in administration, social reform, and military affairs.
• The Marathas’ stress on cultural revival and preference for native scripts, language, and traditions laid seeds for national awakening in the future.

Class 8 Social Science Chapter 3 Notes – The Rise of the Marathas: Key Points for Quick Revision

These concise Class 8 Social Science notes on “The Rise of the Marathas” focus on major events, governance features, and the Maratha legacy in Indian history. Students can easily revise timelines, key terms, and important personalities with these chapter-wise points. Strengthen your understanding of Maratha power, administration, and cultural impact for exams.

Using these quick revision notes for CBSE Class 8 Social Science Chapter 3 will help you recall the main features of Maratha administration, leadership, and society. Prepare confidently for tests by reviewing structured summaries, timelines, and examples drawn directly from the NCERT curriculum.