“Fitna” during Maratha rule refers to a period of internal conflict, political instability, and civil strife within the Maratha Empire, which spanned large parts of present-day India during the 18th century. The term “Fitna” is derived from Arabic and Persian, meaning discord or civil war, and it aptly captures the tumultuous political landscape characterized by power struggles, succession disputes, and factional rivalries among Maratha leaders.
Background
The Maratha Empire, established by Shivaji Maharaj in the 17th century, reached its zenith under the leadership of Peshwa Baji Rao I and his successors during the early 18th century. However, following the death of Peshwa Baji Rao I in 1740, the empire faced internal challenges that precipitated a period of political instability and civil unrest known as the “Fitna” period.
Causes
Several factors contributed to the outbreak of “Fitna” during Maratha rule:-
Succession Disputes: The death of Peshwa Baji Rao I and subsequent succession disputes among his heirs and claimants to the Peshwa’s throne led to power struggles and factional rivalries within the Maratha leadership.
Regional Ambitions: Maratha chieftains, known as Sardars and Deshmukhs, sought to assert their regional autonomy and expand their territories at the expense of central authority, leading to conflicts over territorial control and revenue rights.
External Threats: The Maratha Empire faced external threats from rival powers, including the Mughal Empire, the Nizam of Hyderabad, the British East India Company, and various regional rulers, who exploited Maratha internal divisions to advance their own interests.
Key Events
The “Fitna” period during Maratha rule was characterized by several key events and conflicts:-
Third Battle of Panipat (1761): The Third Battle of Panipat, fought between the Marathas and the Afghan forces of Ahmad Shah Durrani, marked a significant turning point in Maratha history. The Marathas suffered a decisive defeat, resulting in the loss of their military supremacy and the fragmentation of their empire.
Peshwa Power Struggles: The Peshwas, who served as the prime ministers of the Maratha Empire, became embroiled in power struggles and conflicts with rival factions, including the Gaekwads of Baroda and the Holkars of Indore, over control of the Maratha confederacy.
Civil Wars: The “Fitna” period witnessed several civil wars and internal conflicts among Maratha factions, including the First Anglo-Maratha War (1775-1782) and the Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803-1805), which further weakened Maratha unity and territorial integrity.
Consequences
The “Fitna” period had far-reaching consequences for the Maratha Empire and the broader political landscape of India:-
Decline of Maratha Power: The internal conflicts and civil strife during the “Fitna” period weakened the Maratha Empire and contributed to its decline as a dominant political force in India.
British Expansion: The British East India Company capitalized on Maratha disunity and internal divisions to expand their territorial control and influence in India, eventually annexing large parts of the Maratha territories.
Regional Fragmentation: The “Fitna” period led to the fragmentation of the Maratha Empire into semi-autonomous regional entities, ruled by various Maratha chieftains and factions, which paved the way for the emergence of regional states in western and central India.
In conclusion, the “Fitna” period during Maratha rule was a tumultuous chapter in Indian history marked by internal conflicts, political instability, and civil strife. The period witnessed power struggles, succession disputes, and factional rivalries among Maratha leaders, leading to the decline of Maratha power and the emergence of regional states in India.
