Who is the founder of the Maratha Empire?

The founder of the Maratha Empire is Shivaji. He was a Maratha aristocrat of the Bhosale clan who led a spirited resistance against the Mughal Empire. Eventually he would succeed in carving out an independent Maratha realm that would surpass the Mughal Empire.

For further reading check the following articles:

• Maratha Empire
• Baji Rao I
• Mughal Empire.