How the Marathas Heroically Fought the Mighty Mughals for 27 Years and Won

How the Marathas Heroically Fought the Mighty Mughals

27 Years of Fierce Battle Against the Mughals

For 27 long years, the Marathas waged an unrelenting war against the mighty Mughal Empire. With their superior numbers and resources, the Mughals expected a swift victory. However, what followed was a prolonged struggle that drained the Mughal treasury, shattered their army’s morale, and ultimately led to the decline of their empire.

The Marathas, despite facing betrayals, losses, and an all-powerful enemy, refused to surrender. Their relentless guerrilla warfare(The Marathas used guerrilla warfare tactics of surprise attacks and hit-and-run strategies to defeat larger armies. This strategy helped them establish the Maratha Empire) and leadership under warriors like Sambhaji, Rajaram, Santaji Ghorpade, Dhanaji Jadhav, and Tara Bai ensured that Aurangzeb never achieved his goal. This article delves deep into the Maratha-Mughal war (1680–1707) and how the Marathas defied the mightiest empire of its time.

The Beginning of the Conflict (1680–1689)

In 1680, the great Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj passed away, leaving behind a rising Maratha Empire. The Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, who had long seen the Marathas as a threat, realized that only he could crush them once and for all.

Determined to expand his empire deep into the Deccan, Aurangzeb personally led an army of 500,000 soldiers, one of the largest military forces assembled in Indian history. However, before he could strike, the Marathas crowned Sambhaji, Shivaji’s eldest son, as their new ruler.

Sambhaji’s Resistance Against the Mughals

From 1681 to 1689, Sambhaji led a fearless resistance, launching raids on Mughal supply lines, outmaneuvering their forces, and fighting battles in treacherous terrains.

Some key aspects of Sambhaji’s defense strategy:

1. Hit-and-run tactics to weaken the Mughal forces.
2. Destroying supply chains, preventing the Mughals from sustaining their large army.
3. Alliances with local rulers to create a united front against the Mughals.

Despite his efforts, betrayal from within led to his downfall. In 1689, Sambhaji was captured due to a conspiracy involving his own brother-in-law. He was tortured and executed on Aurangzeb’s orders after he refused to convert to Islam.

Aurangzeb believed this would be the end of Maratha resistance. But he was gravely mistaken.

The Rise of Guerrilla Warfare (1689–1700)

Following Sambhaji’s execution, the Mughals expected total Maratha surrender. However, instead of crumbling, the Marathas regrouped and retaliated.

Rajaram’s Fight for Survival

Sambhaji’s younger brother, Rajaram, was crowned the next Maratha king at the age of just 20. With Mughal forces advancing rapidly, Rajaram escaped to Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu, which became the new capital of the Marathas. From there, he continued to direct the war.

This period saw the rise of two of the greatest military leaders of Maratha history—Santaji Ghorpade and Dhanaji Jadhav.

Santaji Ghorpade and Dhanaji Jadhav: Masters of Guerrilla Warfare

While Rajaram remained in the South, Santaji and Dhanaji led an aggressive guerrilla campaign that left the Mughals in constant fear.

Tactics that shattered the Mughals:

1. Surprise Attacks: The Marathas would strike Mughal outposts at night and disappear before reinforcements arrived.
2. Supply Chain Disruptions: They targeted Mughal food and weapon supplies, forcing them to rely on stretched logistics.
3. Psychological Warfare: The Mughals were never sure where the next attack would come from, keeping them constantly on edge.

One of their boldest attacks was on Aurangzeb’s own military camp. In a daring nighttime raid, Santaji and his men cut the ropes of Aurangzeb’s tent, causing chaos in the Mughal camp. Though the emperor escaped, the attack sent a clear message: nowhere was safe from the Marathas.

For the next 11 years (1689–1700), the Marathas kept the Mughals in check, ensuring that Aurangzeb’s dream of conquering the Deccan remained unfulfilled.

However, in 1700, Chhatrapati Rajaram passed away, leaving behind his two-year-old son. This could have been the final blow to the Maratha cause, but a new leader emerged—Rajaram’s wife, Maharani Tara Bai.

Tara Bai: The Warrior Queen (1700–1707)

With her infant son too young to rule, Tara Bai took charge as the regent. Instead of surrendering, she led the Marathas into battle, proving to be one of the most remarkable women warriors in Indian history.

Tara Bai’s Strategy:

1. Continued the guerrilla war, ensuring the Marathas remained a constant threat.
2. Rallied Maratha chieftains and kept the fight alive.
3. Led military campaigns herself, inspiring her troops.

Under her leadership, the Marathas pushed the Mughals to their limits. The once-powerful empire found itself exhausted, stretched thin, and struggling to hold its ground.

The Fall of Aurangzeb and the Decline of the Mughal Empire

For 27 years, Aurangzeb remained trapped in the Deccan, unable to defeat the Marathas. His army suffered heavy losses, his treasury bled dry, and his empire lost its strength.

The Final Blow (1707)

In 1707, Aurangzeb finally died, an old and defeated emperor, far from his capital. Despite spending the last 27 years of his life trying to crush the Marathas, he failed.

His successors inherited a broken empire, and within a few decades, the once-mighty Mughal Empire fell into decline. Meanwhile, the Marathas rose to power, becoming the dominant force in India.

The Legacy of the 27-Year Maratha Resistance

The Marathas’ long and unyielding fight against the Mughals left a lasting impact on Indian history.

1. They proved that guerrilla warfare could defeat a larger and more powerful enemy.
2. Their tactics influenced future freedom fighters, including those in India’s independence struggle.
3. The Maratha Empire became the strongest power in India, filling the vacuum left by the declining Mughals.

Despite the odds, the Marathas never surrendered. Their war was one of courage, resilience, and national pride, a testament to their unyielding spirit.

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Final Thoughts

The 27-year war between the Marathas and the Mughals was one of the longest and most intense resistance movements in history. It was not just a battle for territory but a fight for identity, survival, and freedom.

Yet, this incredible saga remains underrated and underappreciated. The bravery of Santaji Ghorpade, Dhanaji Jadhav, and Tara Bai deserves as much recognition as any great historical war heroes.

The Marathas taught the world that true strength does not lie in numbers but in the determination to never give up. Their fight was not just a chapter in history—it was a symbol of India’s undying spirit.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, historical interpretations may vary. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and refer to multiple sources for a comprehensive understanding.

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