How the Marathas Defeated the Mughals?

The Rapid Decline of the Mughals Due to the Marathas and Other Indigenous Forces

The Mughal Empire, once a formidable force in the Indian subcontinent, faced a swift and irreversible decline in the 18th century. While several factors contributed to its downfall, one of the most significant reasons was the rise of the Marathas. Emerging as a powerful indigenous force, the Marathas not only challenged Mughal authority but also systematically dismantled their hold over vast regions of India. The relentless campaigns of the Marathas, combined with their superior guerrilla tactics and administrative efficiency, played a crucial role in weakening the Mughal Empire beyond repair.

The Rise of the Marathas

The Marathas, under the leadership of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, laid the foundation of an empire that would eventually become the strongest indigenous power in India. Shivaji, through his strategic acumen, military prowess, and effective governance, established a resilient Maratha state that directly challenged Mughal authority. His innovative guerrilla warfare techniques, fort-based defense system, and strong naval force enabled the Marathas to resist the mighty Mughal army.

Following Shivaji’s death in 1680, his successors, particularly the Peshwas, expanded Maratha influence across India. The Marathas grew into a confederacy with strong regional satraps, ensuring their dominance in northern and southern India. Their ability to mobilize swiftly, combined with effective taxation policies like Chauth and Sardeshmukhi, gave them economic strength and military superiority over the declining Mughals.

Aurangzeb’s Deccan Campaign: A Fatal Mistake

One of the most critical blunders made by the Mughals was Emperor Aurangzeb’s prolonged Deccan campaign (1681–1707). Obsessed with subduing the Marathas, Aurangzeb dedicated the last 27 years of his reign to warfare in the Deccan. He moved his imperial court to the south, leading to severe financial strain and administrative breakdown.

Despite deploying an enormous army, Aurangzeb failed to decisively defeat the Marathas. Instead, his campaign drained the Mughal treasury, weakened their central administration, and led to widespread dissatisfaction among nobles and soldiers. The Marathas, employing hit-and-run tactics, harassed the Mughal forces and outlasted Aurangzeb’s relentless efforts. His death in 1707 marked the beginning of the Mughal Empire’s rapid fragmentation.

Maratha Expansion and Mughal Disintegration

With Aurangzeb gone, the Mughal court descended into chaos. The empire became a battleground for succession disputes, further weakening central authority. This allowed the Marathas to expand aggressively into erstwhile Mughal territories.

By the early 18th century, the Marathas had gained control over Malwa, Gujarat, Bundelkhand, and parts of Rajputana. The Peshwas, particularly Bajirao I, led military campaigns that penetrated deep into Mughal heartlands. In 1737, Bajirao I marched into Delhi and defeated the Mughal forces at the Battle of Delhi, demonstrating the empire’s vulnerability. The Marathas effectively became the real power brokers, reducing the Mughal emperor to a mere figurehead.

The Role of Other Indigenous Forces

While the Marathas played the most dominant role in dismantling the Mughal Empire, other indigenous forces also significantly contributed to its decline.

The Sikhs

The Sikhs, under the leadership of Guru Gobind Singh and later Banda Singh Bahadur, waged a relentless struggle against the Mughals. Following the execution of Guru Tegh Bahadur in 1675, the Sikh community became highly militant in response to Mughal oppression. Banda Singh Bahadur led a series of successful military campaigns against the Mughals, capturing key territories in Punjab. The establishment of Sikh Misls (confederacies) in the 18th century further diminished Mughal control in the region. By the time of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the Mughals had lost all authority in Punjab.

The Jats

The Jats of Bharatpur, led by notable leaders like Raja Churaman and Suraj Mal, also played a significant role in weakening Mughal rule. Rising in rebellion against oppressive Mughal taxation policies, the Jats established a powerful kingdom in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. They frequently raided Mughal territories and even plundered Delhi in 1753, further eroding Mughal prestige and resources.

The Rajputs

The Rajput rulers, once key allies of the Mughals, also began asserting their independence in the 18th century. After Aurangzeb’s harsh policies alienated them, Rajput states like Mewar and Marwar resisted Mughal dominance, further fragmenting the empire’s control over northern India.

The Sack of Delhi (1757) and Mughal Subjugation

The Marathas’ dominance reached its peak under the leadership of the Peshwas. They controlled vast territories from the Deccan to Punjab. By 1757, they had become the protectors of Delhi, expelling the Afghan invader Ahmad Shah Abdali’s forces and restoring Mughal authority nominally, though under Maratha supervision.

However, Abdali’s return in 1761 led to the Third Battle of Panipat, where the Marathas suffered a temporary setback. Despite this loss, they recovered within a decade and continued to exert influence over Mughal affairs. The empire, by this time, had been reduced to a symbolic institution, with real power lying in the hands of the Marathas and other regional powers.

Maratha Governance vs. Mughal Inefficiency

One of the key reasons for the Mughal decline was their failure to adapt administratively. The Marathas, in contrast, introduced efficient revenue systems, decentralized governance, and military reforms that ensured their sustainability. The ashtapradhan council of Shivaji, followed by the Peshwas’ administrative policies, strengthened their empire while the Mughals struggled with corruption, inefficiency, and internal conflicts.

The Mughal economy, heavily dependent on land revenue, collapsed under the strain of continuous warfare and mismanagement. The Marathas, through their taxation policies and strategic alliances, ensured a steady flow of resources, giving them an upper hand in sustaining military campaigns and governance.

Conclusion

The decline of the Mughal Empire was accelerated by the relentless campaigns and strategic expansion of the Marathas. Unlike the Mughals, who relied on centralized authority and a vast bureaucratic setup, the Marathas embraced flexibility, mobility, and efficient governance. Their ability to challenge Mughal supremacy, dismantle its economic base, and replace its administrative structure ultimately led to the empire’s demise.

Additionally, other indigenous forces such as the Sikhs, Jats, and Rajputs also played a vital role in eroding Mughal authority. Their constant uprisings, military campaigns, and regional consolidation further fractured the empire beyond repair.

By the mid-18th century, the Mughal emperor was reduced to a mere puppet under Maratha influence, marking the end of an era. Though the British would later capitalize on the power vacuum left by the Mughals and Marathas, it was these indigenous powers that played the most decisive role in bringing down one of the world’s greatest empires. Their resilience and military brilliance ensured that Mughal dominance in India came to an irreversible end.