The Maratha Empire, one of the most formidable powers in Indian history, fought several battles and wars to establish and maintain its dominance. The Marathas, initially led by the visionary Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, later continued their expansion and influence under the Peshwas, especially during the 18th century. The Maratha Wars, including the Anglo-Maratha Wars, were a series of key conflicts that shaped the political landscape of India.

Here we will explore the List of Maratha Wars, including the famous List of Battles fought by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the Anglo-Maratha Wars, and the Battles fought by Peshwa Bajirao I, highlighting their significance in the rise and fall of the Maratha Empire.

Early Conflicts and the Rise of the Marathas

The Marathas, led by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, rose to prominence in the 17th century as a force against the Mughal Empire in India. After establishing his kingdom in the Deccan region, Shivaji Maharaj fought numerous battles to expand his territory and establish the Maratha Empire. His military genius and guerilla warfare tactics played a crucial role in shaping the early years of the Maratha state.

List of Battles Fought by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

Some of the most important battles fought by Shivaji Maharaj include:

• Battle of Torna (1645): Shivaji’s first significant military victory, where he captured the Torna Fort from Bijapur Sultanate, marking the beginning of his reign as a military leader.

• Battle of Pratapgarh (1659): One of the most iconic battles in Maratha history, where Shivaji defeated Bijapur’s forces under the command of Afzal Khan.

• Battle of Surat (1664): A naval attack on the Mughal port city of Surat, showcasing Shivaji’s naval capabilities.

• Battle of Sinhagad (1670): A daring and victorious raid to recapture the Sinhagad Fort, reinforcing Shivaji’s tactical brilliance.

• Battle of Kolhapur (1677): Shivaji defeated the forces of the Bijapur Sultanate, consolidating his position in the region.

These battles laid the foundation of the Maratha Empire and its continued resistance against the Mughals and other regional powers.

The Maratha Insurgency Against the Mughal Empire

The Mughal Empire, which ruled large parts of India, proved to be the Maratha’s primary adversary. Over the years, the Marathas engaged in numerous battles with the Mughals, winning some and losing others.

• Battle of Chakan (23 June – 14 August 1660)

The Marathas were defeated by the Mughal Empire at Chakan, a significant blow in their early resistance.

• Battle of Sinhagad (4 February 1670)

A pivotal victory for the Marathas, where Shivaji’s forces captured the Sinhagad Fort from the Mughals. It was a morale-boosting moment for the Maratha Empire.

• Battle of Purandar (31 March – 12 June 1665)

After initial successes, the Marathas were forced to surrender to the Mughal forces under the Treaty of Purandar, which marked a temporary setback for Shivaji.

• Battle of Salher (February 1672)

A major victory for the Marathas in their ongoing battle with the Mughal Empire, cementing their power in the region.

• Battle of Wai (December 1687)

This battle resulted in a Maratha victory, further demonstrating the growing strength of the Maratha military.

The Maratha Confederacy and Expansion

Following Shivaji’s death in 1680, his successors continued to expand the Maratha Empire. The rise of the Peshwas as the de facto rulers of the Maratha Confederacy marked a new era in their military campaigns.

• Battle of Bhopal (24 December 1737)

A key victory for the Maratha Confederacy against the Mughal Empire. This victory helped solidify Maratha influence in central India.

• Battle of Palkhed (28 February 1728)

Fought between the Maratha Confederacy and the Nizam of Hyderabad, this battle resulted in a decisive victory for the Marathas and marked the end of Nizam’s ambitions in the Deccan.

• Battle of Bundelkhand (1728–29)

The Maratha Confederacy defeated the forces of the Mughal Empire, asserting their dominance in northern India.

• Battle of Panipat (1761)

Perhaps the most significant of all Maratha wars, the Battle of Panipat was a tragic defeat for the Maratha Confederacy at the hands of the Afghan invader, Ahmad Shah Durrani. The battle marked the end of the Maratha’s expansion towards the north and had lasting impacts on the empire’s power.

The Anglo-Maratha Wars

Anglo-Maratha Wars were a series of conflicts between the Maratha Empire and the British East India Company during the 18th century. These wars were critical in determining the future of the Maratha Empire and its eventual downfall at the hands of the British.

• First Anglo-Maratha War (1775–1782)

The First Anglo-Maratha War began due to British interference in the Maratha Confederacy’s internal affairs. The conflict was ignited by the succession dispute between Madhavrao I and his successor, Narayan Rao, which the British East India Company attempted to exploit. Although the British secured some victories early on, the Marathas, led by Mahadji Shinde, successfully negotiated a peace treaty, and the war ended in 1782 with the Treaty of Salbai.

Key Battles:

• Battle of Wadgaon (1779): A significant Maratha victory that forced the British to retreat.
• Battle of Bhor (1781): Another victory for the Marathas, securing their position against the British.

2. Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803–1805)

The Second Anglo-Maratha War was a more intense conflict. It arose from the Maratha Confederacy’s growing power and its rivalry with the British. The Marathas had become divided into several factions, each led by powerful leaders like Baji Rao II, Yashwantrao Holkar, and others. The British used this fragmentation to their advantage and defeated the Marathas in several key battles.

Key Battles:

• Battle of Assaye (1803): One of the most decisive battles, where Arthur Wellesley, the future Duke of Wellington, led the British forces to a crucial victory.
• Battle of Laswari (1803): Another important British victory, weakening the Maratha forces significantly.

Following the war, the Treaty of Surji Anjangaon (1806) was signed, which forced the Marathas to cede large portions of their territory to the British.

3. Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817–1818)

The Third Anglo-Maratha War was the final and most decisive conflict in the Anglo-Maratha series. The British, after having subdued the Maratha leadership, sought to eliminate the Maratha threat once and for all. This war saw intense fighting, and despite some early successes by the Marathas, they were ultimately defeated. The British annexed the Maratha territories and dismantled the Maratha Empire.

Key Battles:

• Battle of Kirkee (1817): British forces defeated the Peshwa’s army in a crucial engagement, marking the beginning of the end for Maratha power.
• Battle of Mahidpur (1818): The British decisively defeated the forces of the Holkars, one of the most significant Maratha factions.
• Peshwa Baji Rao II’s defeat and exile: The defeat of the Peshwa, Baji Rao II, marked the official end of Maratha independence and the beginning of British hegemony in India.

The Treaty of Pune (1818) followed, formalizing British control over the Maratha territories and signifying the end of the Maratha Empire.

Battles Fought by Peshwa Baji Rao I

Peshwa Bajirao I, one of the most famous leaders of the Maratha Empire, was known for his military acumen and relentless expansion of Maratha power. His reign was marked by numerous battles against the Mughals, the Nizam of Hyderabad, and other regional powers, further cementing the Maratha Empire’s strength. Some of his notable battles include:

• Battle of Palkhed (1728)

A remarkable victory for Peshwa Baji Rao I over the Nizam of Hyderabad, which helped strengthen Maratha control in the Deccan.

• Battle of Bhopal (1737)

Another critical battle under Baji Rao’s leadership, where the Marathas defeated Mughal forces, ensuring the Maratha Confederacy’s rise as a dominant power in India.

• Battle of Rohilla (1748)

Bajirao’s forces decisively defeated the Rohilla Afghans in the north.

• Battle of Delhi (1757)

During the Maratha-Rohilkhand war, Baji Rao led forces that helped secure Delhi for the Marathas, further asserting their presence in the north.

His military leadership, coupled with his vision of a pan-Indian Maratha state, helped the empire reach its zenith during his time as Peshwa.

Treaty Negotiations and the Fall of the Marathas

Following their defeats in the Anglo-Maratha wars, the Marathas were forced into several treaties with the British.

• Treaty of Surat (1775)

This treaty was signed between the Marathas and the British after the First Anglo-Maratha War, confirming the British as a key player in Maratha affairs.

• Treaty of Salbai (1782)

After the First Anglo-Maratha War, the Treaty of Salbai restored peace between the Marathas and the British. However, it was a temporary respite as tensions simmered until the second war.

• Treaty of Bassein (1802)

A pivotal agreement that marked the end of Maratha independence under Baji Rao II, who sought British protection, thus leading to the further weakening of the Maratha Confederacy.

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