Reshaping Imperial Power: The Maratha Confederacy’s Challenge to Mughal Authority

Abstract

The eighteenth century marked a decisive shift in the political landscape of the Indian subcontinent as the Mughal Empire entered a phase of irreversible decline and the Maratha Confederacy emerged as the most formidable power challenging imperial authority. This paper examines how the Marathas—initially a regional force under the vision of Shivaji—expanded into a confederacy that reconfigured power relations across India. Through an analysis of military strategies, administrative innovations, revenue systems, and diplomatic alliances, the study explores the mechanisms through which the Marathas contested Mughal supremacy. It highlights the significance of leadership transitions, from the Peshwas’ centralizing efforts to the semi-autonomous rule of chiefs such as the Holkars, Scindias, Bhonsles, and Gaekwads. The paper also investigates the broader geopolitical consequences of this rivalry, including the fragmentation of Mughal authority, shifts in regional allegiances, and the opening of political spaces later exploited by European colonial powers. Ultimately, this research argues that the rise of the Maratha Confederacy was not merely a reaction to Mughal decline but a dynamic force actively shaping the redistribution of power in early modern India.