NCERT Book Class 8 Social Science (Exploring Society India and Beyond Part-I) Chapter 3 The Rise of the Marathas

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CHAPTER
The Rise of the Marathas

Among the merchants, the hat-wearers like the Portuguese, the
English, the Dutch, the French and the Danes also conduct trade.
But they are not like other merchants…. They are fully intent on
entering this land, increasing their territory and propagating their
religion. They are obstinate people, and Navy and gunpowder are
their chief weapons. Their trafÏc should be controlled, and they
shouldn’t be allowed to build strong buildings.
— Ramachandrapant Amatya, Ādnyāpatra (1715)

Fig. 3.1. Raigad Fort, Maharashtra, with the grand entrance to the palace where
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was crowned in 1674, marking the formal beginning of
the Maratha Empire.

1. Who were the Marathas? How
3 – The Rise of the Marathas

The Big did they manage to become
Questions the largest pan-Indian power
Tapestry of the Past

before the British took over?
2. What were some features of
their governance?
3. What impact did the Maratha
Empire leave in Indian history? 61