Mughals and Marathas
Babur's victory over Ibrahim Lodi at Panipat in 1526 established Mughal rule with Agra as its capital, after earlier campaigns from Kabul.
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21 bilingual articles
Babur, Panipat and the Mughal Foundation
Babur's victory over Ibrahim Lodi at Panipat in 1526 established Mughal rule with Agra as its capital, after earlier campaigns from Kabul.
Open article →Humayun, Sher Shah and Mughal Recovery
Humayun lost Delhi to Sher Shah, recovered it with Safavid help in 1555, while the Sur interlude introduced roads, revenue reform and standard measures.
Open article →Akbar's Consolidation through Conquest and Alliance
After the Second Battle of Panipat, Akbar assumed direct control and expanded the empire through campaigns, alliances and access to strategic regions.
Open article →Akbar's Religious Policy and Cultural Patronage
Akbar abolished discriminatory taxes, included Rajputs, hosted interfaith discussion and supported scholars, officials, musicians and artists.
Open article →Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Deccan Pressure
Jahangir's court opened European trade and fostered art, while Shah Jahan's Deccan expansion faced trained Maratha resistance and succession conflict.
Open article →Mughal Central, Provincial and Local Administration
The emperor and specialist ministers governed through Subhas, Sarkars and Parganas, while Kotwals and village panchayats handled local order and justice.
Open article →Mansabdari, Jagir and Mughal Land Revenue
Mansab rank linked status and cavalry obligations to imperial service, while zabt assessment used surveyed land and a one-third share of a ten-year average.
Open article →Mughal Architecture, Court Culture and Trade
Court patronage, Persian-influenced architecture and European and Asian trade connections accompanied Mughal political expansion and reached a peak under Shah Jahan.
Open article →Aurangzeb's Deccan Wars and Mughal Decline
Aurangzeb expanded into the Deccan, but Rajput, Sikh, Ahom and Maratha resistance, restrictive policy and prolonged war exposed the empire's limits.
Open article →Maratha Rise: Geography, Bhakti and Language
Mountain terrain aided guerrilla warfare, Deccan service built cavalry experience, and Bhakti saints and Marathi hymns strengthened social unity.
Open article →Shivaji's Forts, Consolidation and Mughal Conflict
Shivaji built power through hill forts, mobile forces, confrontation and negotiation with Bijapur and the Mughals before his 1674 coronation.
Open article →Shivaji's State, Ashtapradhan and Revenue
Shivaji's three circles, local officers, trained army, eight ministers and defined revenue shares formed a layered Maratha administration.
Open article →Shambhuji, Shahu and the Rise of the Peshwas
Shambhuji's conflict with Aurangzeb was followed by Shahu's consolidation, while the Peshwa evolved from minister to effective ruler.
Open article →Bajirao's Expansion and Peshwa Fiscal Power
Bajirao defeated Mughal and Nizam forces, legalized Maratha tribute claims and centralized finance at Pune as Peshwa power expanded.
Open article →Peshwa Revenue Records and Administrative Legacy
Kamavisdars, annual revenue contracts, advance deposits and checked ledgers created a centralized documentary fiscal administration under the Peshwas.
Open article →Third Battle of Panipat and Maratha Limits
In 1761, divided Maratha command and Ahmad Shah Abdali's mobile artillery ended the Maratha bid for supremacy beyond Punjab.
Open article →Peshwa Line: Balaji Vishwanath, Baji Rao I and Nana Sahib
Between 1713 and 1761, three Peshwas made the office hereditary, secured coastal and imperial rights, expanded north and concentrated effective power at Pune.
Open article →Madhav Rao's Recovery and Late Peshwa Succession
Madhav Rao I restored Maratha authority after Panipat; Narayan Rao's murder and the minority of Sawai Madhav Rao opened the path to Baji Rao II and factional weakness.
Open article →Three Anglo-Maratha Wars and the End of the Peshwai
The wars of 1775–1782, 1803–1806 and 1817–1819 transformed British influence into conquest, abolished the Peshwai and dissolved the confederacy.
Open article →Thanjavur Maratha Rulers, 1673–1832
Venkoji founded Maratha rule after the Nayak collapse; a succession through Shahji, Serfoji I, Tukkoji, Pratap Singh and Thuljaji led to Serfoji II and British-controlled sovereignty.
Open article →Serfoji II: Education, Medicine, Library and Culture
Serfoji II combined European learning and Indian traditions through public schools, Dhanvantari Mahal, printing, Saraswati Mahal collections and Thanjavur arts.
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