Mahrattas

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

MARÁTHÁS, or MAR- HATAS (ma-rat'äz), a people of mixed origin, Hindus in religion and caste ordinances, inhabiting western and central India, from the Satpura Mountains to Nagpur. The Mahratta Brahmans claim to be Rajputs; the bulk of the people are Sudras, and probably of aboriginal blood mainly. They are first mentioned in history about the middle of the 17th century, when they possessed a narrow strip of territory on the W. side of the peninsula. The founder of the Mah- IV., and in 1647, at the Greyhound Inn, ratta power was Sivají, a freebooter or adventurer, whose father Shahji Bhonsla, was an officer in the service of the last King of Bijapúr. His son and (1680) successor, Sambhaji, after vigorously following out his father's policy, was taken prisoner by Aurungzebe in 1689, and put to death. His son, a prisoner, resigned his rule with the title of Peshwá; the descendants of Sivají henceforward reigned over but did not govern Sattara. Under the fourth hereditary Peshwá there were five Mahratta states, more or less powerful and independent. They wrested additional territory from the feeble grasp of the Mogul emperor; but the frightful defeat (in January, 1761) they sustained at the hands of Ahmed Shah Duráni, the ruler of Afghanistan, on the field of Panipat, weakened their power for a time. They still, however, continued to be the hired mercenaries of the Delhi emperor, till the growing influence of the British compelled them to look to their own safety. After many long and bloody contests with the British and their allies they were one by one, with the exception of Sindhia, reduced to a state of depend- This last-mentioned chief conence. tinued the contest for a number of years till his power was finally broken in 1843. The Mahratta states of Indore, Gwalior, and Baroda refrained from participation in the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. The dignity of Peshwa was abolished in 1818, and his territories were occupied by the British.