Question

explain the reasons for the rise of the marathas under Chhatrapati Shivaji.

Answer 1

1) The Maratha kingdom was another powerful regional kingdom to arise out of a sustained opposition to Mughal rule.
2) Shivaji carved out a stable kingdom with the support of powerful warrior families (deshmukhs).
3) Groups of highly mobile, peasant- pastoralists (kunbis) provided the backbone of the Maratha army.
4) Shivaji used these forces to challenge the Mughals in the peninsula.