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The Maratha Empire is considered one of the greatest empires of India. The empire emerged during the 17th century and ruled over the entire subcontinent of India. The empire at its zenith covered the whole of India, from the northern to the southern regions.
The Marathas are known for their powerful army, courageous soldiers, and sagacious rulers. As there were developments in the kingdom from one stage to another, the capital city of the kingdom had to change several times. Every capital had its own importance. Let us find out the top five capitals of the Maratha Empire.
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Top 5 Major Capitals of the Maratha Empire
Here is a list of the top 5 major capitals of the Mughal Empire, as follows:
| S.No | Capital | Ruler | Time Period |
| 1. | Raigad | Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj | 1674 - 1689 |
| 2. | Jinji (Gingee) | Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj | 1689 - 1698 |
| 3. | Satara | Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj I | 1708 - 1749 |
| 4. | Pune | Balaji Baji Rao | 1749 - 1818 |
| 5. | Nagpur | Raghoji Bhonsle I | 18th - 19th Century |
1. Raigad (1674-1689)
The first and the most famous capital of the Maratha kingdom was Raigad, which was chosen as the royal residence by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj after he crowned himself as the king of the Marathas. It is situated in present-day Maharashtra, and Raigad is a very high hill fort, making it difficult to invade by any enemy. Thus, this fort was the center of all the Maratha glory under the leadership of Shivaji Maharaj.
2. Jinji (1689-1698)
As the Mughal ruler Aurangzeb seized Raigad from the Marathas, Rajaram Maharaj selected the Maratha capital as Jinji, situated in present-day Tamil Nadu. The Maratha capital was very powerful and took eight long years for the Mughals to conquer this fort. Jinji acted as the safest place for the Marathas to continue fighting back the Mughals in a very tough period for them.
3. Satara (1708-1749)
The city of Satara served as the official capital of the Maratha Empire when Shahu Maharaj, who was a grandson of Chhatrapati Shivaji, declared it as such. Shahu ruled from this location with immense power after he was released from Mughal custody. The Peshwas started becoming influential in the administration and took control of the entire empire during this era.
4. Pune (1749-1818)
Pune became the capital of the Marathas, who gained significant influence during the Peshwa era. The Peshwas themselves became the de facto leaders of the confederacy and declared Pune to be their administrative headquarters. This was where the Shaniwar Wada palace was built, and all political and diplomatic affairs of the Marathas took place here. This period saw the greatest rise and ultimate fall of the empire.
5. Nagpur (18th & 19th Centuries)
Nagpur was the capital of the Nagpur Bhonsle, who formed one of the prominent tribes of the Maratha Empire. This city was located at the center of India, and due to its strategic importance as a junction between the north and south of India, the role played by the Nagpur Bhonsle dynasty in making Nagpur a key part of the empire that cannot be understated.
Conclusion
The Maratha Empire has been very important in Indian history, and this is especially evident in its capitals, which depict various phases of its evolution. Some of the capitals include the hill fort Raigad and the city of Pune, among others. All these capitals signify different phases of bravery and struggles that the empire had to pass through during the various stages of its evolution.
