Factors Leading to the Rise of the Marathas: The rise of the Maratha power in the second half of the 17th century is an epoch-making event in Indian history. It is dated from the time of Chhatrapati Shivaji, who transformed the peaceful peasantry of Maratha into a powerful political force and carved out an empire in the teeth of Deccan Sultans and Great Mughals. The Marathas were the short-statured, hardy and industrious natives of Maharashtra. Most of them served under the Sultans of Ahmadnagar, Bijapur and Golcunda etc. The various factors leading to the rise of the Marathas in the … Continue reading Factors Leading to the Rise of the Marathas