AP 8th Social Textbook Solutions – 3. The Rise of the Marathas (2026-27)

3 The Rise of the Marathas

The Big Questions (Page 126)

• 1. Who were the Marathas? How did they manage to become the largest pan-Indian power before the British took over?
  The Marathas are a group of people native to the Deccan plateau, more specifically present-day Maharashtra. They managed to become a pan-Indian power starting with the foundation of a sovereign kingdom by Shivaji, the strategic use of guerrilla warfare, and later large-scale expansion under the Peshwas, which successfully challenged Mughal dominance.
• 2. What were some features of their governance?
  Their governance featured a centralised civilian administration under Shivaji, an Ashta Pradhana Mandala (council of eight ministers), a regular salary system for officials, an efficient judicial system, and a strong military administration that included a formidable navy.
• 3. What impact did the Maratha Empire leave in Indian history?
  They established the largest Indian empire before the British took over, successfully challenged the oppressive Mughal dominance, revived local cultural traditions without religious discrimination, and inspired a new cultural confidence that planted early seeds for India's freedom movement.

Let's Explore (Page 128)

• 1. Have you ever heard the term 'bhakti'? What does it mean to you? Choose a bhakti saint from any part of India and learn about their life, their teachings, and the message they shared. You can also find one of their poems or bhajans and share it with your classmates.
  The term 'bhakti' means devotion to the divine or a particular deity.
  
  Student Activity: For example, Sant Tukaram was a prominent bhakti saint in Maharashtra who composed devotional songs in Marathi, making spiritual philosophy accessible to the masses. (Students are encouraged to share a specific bhajan or poem in class).

Think About It (Page 132)

• 1. If you could time-travel and meet Shivaji, what three questions would you ask him and why?
  Student Activity: Example response:
  1. How did you manage to stay calm and plan your escape from house arrest in Agra?
  2. What inspired you to take the revolutionary step of building a dedicated Maratha Navy?
  3. How did you train your soldiers to coordinate guerrilla attacks so effectively in the thick forests?

Let's Explore (Page 132)

• 1. Try to find out more about guerrilla warfare. Which other countries in the world adopted this method? What geographical advantages did they utilise for this? Discuss your findings in groups.
  Guerrilla warfare uses small groups of people in a focused way, utilizing speed, surprise, and deep knowledge of the terrain to defeat bigger armies.
  
  Student Activity: Other countries like Vietnam and Cuba have famously adopted this method. They utilized dense jungles, mountains, and difficult terrains to launch surprise attacks and hide from larger, better-equipped conventional armies.

Let's Explore (Page 138)

• 1. Pick an event from Shivaji's life and, with your classmates, stage it as a play.
  Student Activity: Students can choose famous events such as the meeting with Afzal Khan at the foot of Pratapgad fort, the daring night raid on Shaista Khan's camp, or the clever escape from Aurangzeb's house arrest in Agra hidden in baskets.

Think About It (Page 146)

• 1. Based on Shivaji's letter, what can you tell about his values as a ruler?
  Based on the letter, Shivaji demonstrated deep care for his subjects and respect for their livelihoods. He valued sustainable practices and strictly forbade his officials from using force or oppression to acquire resources, recognizing that harming trees like mango and jackfruit would bring immense sorrow to the people who nurtured them.

Let's Explore (Page 158)

• 1. Have you heard of the dance form 'Bharatnatyam'? Did you know that this dance form has a deep connection with the Marathas? Can you find out what this connection was?
  Yes. The modern stages of the famous classical dance form of Bharatanatyam took shape during the time of the Thanjavur Maratha rulers, particularly under the patronage of Serfoji II.

Questions, Activities and Projects (Page 160)

• 1. A historian studying the Aravalli hills finds that the narrow Haldi Ghati Pass was strategically used for hit-and-run tactics against a powerful army. This pass is best known for the
  A. Battle of Talikota

  B. Guerrilla warfare of Maharana Pratap

  C. Jauhar at Chittorgarh Fort

  D. Second Battle of Panipat
  Answer: B. Guerrilla warfare of Maharana Pratap

• 2. Why were officials periodically transferred in Shivaji's system?
  A) To give them experience in different regions

  B) To prevent them from becoming too powerful in one place

  C) To collect taxes from regional peasants

  D) To promote local alliances in different regions
  Answer: B) To prevent them from becoming too powerful in one place.
• 3. Analyse how geography (particularly mountains and coastlines) guided Maratha military strategy and state formation.
  The Marathas utilized the mountainous terrain of the Deccan to build numerous forts, which became the core of their state. These forts strategically controlled important routes and provided shelter for their armies to effectively execute guerrilla warfare. Additionally, their position along the west coast prompted Shivaji to establish a formidable Maratha Navy to protect coastal regions and secure maritime trade routes.
• 4. Explain the Ashta Pradhana Mandala established by Shivaji and mention its importance in administration.
  The Ashta Pradhana Mandala was a council of eight ministers created to assist Shivaji in administering the kingdom. It included key positions like the Peshwa (Prime Minister), Amatya (Finance Minister), Sachiv (Land Revenue Minister), Senapati (Commander-in-chief), and others. It was important because it helped establish a centralized, well-structured civilian administration that replaced hereditary posts.
• 5. The chapter states, "The British took India from the Marathas more than from the Mughals or any other power." What do you think this means? What evidence from the chapter supports this idea?
  This means that prior to British dominance, the Marathas were the most powerful and extensive pan-Indian empire, having largely replaced Mughal authority. The chapter supports this by noting that the Marathas had conquered large parts of central and northern India, captured Delhi in 1771, and were the chief rivals the British had to defeat in three Anglo-Maratha wars between 1775 and 1818 to claim control of India.
• 6. Compare how Shivaji and later Marathas treated religious places and people of different faiths. What evidence from the chapter shows their approach to religious diversity?
  Shivaji was a devout Hindu who respected other religions; during the sacking of Surat, he carefully spared religious places and charitable individuals. Later Marathas continued this legacy of cultural revival without religious discrimination. For instance, Ahilyabai Holkar rebuilt and restored major Hindu temples like Kashi Vishwanath and Somnath that had been destroyed by previous foreign rulers, while maintaining a tolerant administration.
• 7. The chapter describes how forts were 'the core of the state' for Marathas. Why were they so important? How did they help the Marathas survive against larger enemies?
  Forts were essential because they secured the land from devastation during invasions and strategically controlled important routes. They provided critical shelter and defensive advantages for the Maratha army when engaging in guerrilla warfare, allowing the state to survive decades of onslaught from much larger enemies like the Mughal empire.
• 8. After this introduction to the Maratha period, what do you think was their most important contribution to Indian history? Write a paragraph supporting your opinion with examples from the chapter. Then share and discuss your ideas with classmates.
  Student Response: The Marathas' most important contribution was reviving cultural confidence and demonstrating that a native power could successfully govern and expand an empire. By challenging the oppressive Mughal rule through the ideal of Swarajya, establishing an efficient administration, and promoting local traditions, they planted the early seeds for India's future freedom movement.
• 9. Imagine you are creating a short biography of a Maratha leader for younger students. Choose one personality (Kanhoji Angre, Bajirao I, Mahadji Shinde, Ahilyabai Holkar or Tarabai) and write 3-4 paragraphs highlighting what makes them inspirational. Include at least one challenge they overcame.
  Student Activity: For example, choosing Ahilyabai Holkar: Ahilyabai Holkar was a brave queen who ruled the Holkar dynasty in central India for thirty years. Despite facing the immense personal challenge of losing her husband and son, she did not give up. Instead, she courageously governed her state, ensuring the welfare of the common people. She is remembered as a devout leader who rebuilt hundreds of destroyed temples, including Kashi Vishwanath, and promoted traditional industries like Maheshwar weaving.
• 10. If you could visit one Maratha fort today (such as Raigad, Sindhudurg, Gingee, or Pratapgad), which would you choose and why? Research its history, architecture, and strategic importance. Present your findings as a digital presentation or a poster in class.
  Student Activity: Example response: I would choose to visit Raigad Fort because it served as the capital of the Maratha Empire and was the grand site of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's coronation in 1674. It is strategically built on a strong mountain fortress, symbolizing the peak of Shivaji's vision for an independent Swarajya.
• 11. You have been appointed as the chief designer for Maratha coins. Design a coin that represents Maratha achievements and values. Explain the symbols you chose.
  Student Activity: Example response: The coin would feature a ship to symbolize the revolutionary Maratha Navy that challenged European powers. It would also include inscriptions in the Devanagari script to represent cultural revival and sovereignty, similar to the coins and seals issued by Shivaji and the Peshwas.