Understanding the Maratha Confederacy’s Historical Legacy
Foundation and Early Development
The Maratha Confederacy emerged as one of India’s most significant regional powers during the decline of Mughal authority. This early modern Indian empire originated from Maharashtra’s western Deccan plateau, where Marathi-speaking agricultural communities developed into a formidable political force under exceptional leadership.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the dynasty’s founder, established the empire in 1674 through his coronation, initiating what became known as Hindavi Swarajya or self-governance of Hindu populations. His revolutionary approach challenged both the Bijapur Sultanate and Mughal imperial authority, creating an independent kingdom that influenced Indian politics for centuries.
Administrative Excellence and Governance Structure
Shivaji’s governmental framework demonstrated remarkable organizational sophistication through the Ashtapradhan Mandal—an eight-minister council system that managed various administrative departments.
This ministerial structure included:
- Peshwa (Prime Minister): Handled overall administration and represented the ruler during absences.
- Amatya/Majumdar (Finance Minister): Managed state revenues and expenditures.
- Senapati (Military Commander-in-Chief): Primarily held ceremonial status.
- Sachiv (Home Secretary)
- Sumant (Foreign Secretary)
- Nyayadhish (Chief Justice)
- Pandit Rao (Religious Affairs Minister)
- Wakenavis (Intelligence Chief)
Revolutionary Revenue Systems
The Maratha administration introduced innovative taxation mechanisms that became legendary in Indian fiscal history.
- Chauth: A quarterly assessment equal to 25% of territorial revenue, levied on lands outside direct Maratha control. This functioned as a protection payment, ensuring territories remained safe from military expeditions.
- Sardeshmukhi: An additional 10% levy imposed on regions where Marathas claimed hereditary administrative rights.
These dual taxation systems generated substantial income streams, enabling military expansion and administrative consolidation across vast areas.
Military Campaigns and Territorial Expansion
Under Peshwa Bajirao I’s leadership during the 18th century, Maratha influence extended dramatically northward, encompassing Gujarat, Malwa, and Rajputana regions. The confederation’s military prowess peaked when Maratha forces captured Delhi and established dominance over Mughal territories.
However, this expansion culminated in the catastrophic Third Battle of Panipat on January 14, 1761. Ahmad Shah Durrani’s Afghan forces, supported by Rohilla allies and Oudh’s Nawab, confronted the northern Maratha army. The devastating defeat resulted in 60,000–70,000 casualties and halted Maratha expansion for a decade.
Tamil Nadu’s Educational Policy Initiative: A State-Level Response
Policy Framework and Constitutional Positioning
On August 8, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin unveiled the State Education Policy (SEP) 2025, positioning it as a comprehensive alternative to the Central Government’s National Education Policy. This move asserted the state’s educational autonomy within India’s federal structure.
The SEP, developed by a 14-member committee headed by retired Justice D. Murugesan, emphasizes progressive educational principles rooted in Tamil Nadu’s cultural heritage. The framework explicitly rejects the NEP’s three-language formula, maintaining the state’s traditional bilingual approach.
Language Policy and Cultural Preservation
The cornerstone of Tamil Nadu’s educational approach is linguistic autonomy through a firm commitment to Tamil-English bilingualism. Tamil instruction will remain mandatory across all educational boards—CBSE, ICSE, and State Board—until the 10th standard.
Chief Minister Stalin emphasized that “Mother tongue Tamil represents our identity and pride,” reinforcing the state’s resistance to perceived Hindi imposition. This stance reflects broader concerns about cultural preservation and federal autonomy in educational governance.
Pedagogical Innovations and Assessment Reforms
The SEP eliminates Class 11 board examinations and prohibits student detention until Class 8, promoting stress-free learning. Undergraduate admissions will be based on consolidated Class XI-XII marks rather than centralized entrance examinations.
The policy prioritizes critical thinking over rote learning, adding modern subjects such as artificial intelligence, data science, robotics, and financial literacy. Physical education also receives enhanced importance, reflecting a holistic development approach.
India’s Electric Vehicle Policy Evolution and Strategic Direction
National Mission Framework
India’s electric vehicle advancement operates through the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020, which establishes frameworks for sustainable transportation transformation. In March 2024, the government approved the Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India (SPMEPCI), marking a significant policy shift.
The FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles) scheme is India’s flagship initiative for electric mobility. Currently in its second phase, FAME-II operates with a ₹10,000 crore budget, offering incentives for EV adoption.
Policy Incentives and Manufacturing Focus
Recent policy updates focus more on domestic manufacturing than consumer subsidies. The PM e-DRIVE scheme emphasizes indigenous EV component production, particularly battery manufacturing.
Financial incentives include ₹15,000 per kWh (up to 40% of cost) for two-wheelers and ₹10,000 per kWh for three-wheelers. These measures align with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, reducing foreign dependency in transportation technologies.
Strategic Objectives and Environmental Impact
The EV policy framework supports energy security, reduces crude oil imports, and helps curb pollution. By 2030, India could save $60 billion in energy costs and cut carbon emissions by up to 37%, significantly aiding climate commitments. The plan covers all vehicle segments, from two-wheelers to commercial trucks, ensuring full transportation electrification.
UPSC Examination Relevance and Preparation Strategy
The Maratha Empire topic falls under GS Paper I (Modern Indian History), focusing on personalities, events, and administrative systems. Recent trends show increased emphasis on regional empire administration and revenue systems.
Educational policy developments relate to GS Paper II (Governance and Social Issues), particularly in federal structure dynamics and state-center relations. The Tamil Nadu SEP illustrates constitutional provisions regarding education as a concurrent subject.
Electric vehicle policies connect to GS Paper III (Technology and Environment), covering sustainable development, manufacturing policies, and environmental conservation.
The intersection of these subjects reflects broader themes in Indian governance—balancing federal autonomy with national integration, learning from historical administrative innovations, and leveraging technology for sustainable growth. For UPSC preparation, candidates should focus on analytical understanding and application-based perspectives rather than rote memorization.
