The Marathas played an important role in the Indian History of the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries. Pioneering Historian of the Marathas, Grant Duff, considers “the Marathas” as the immediate predecessors in conquest, and confesses “that we cannot fully understand the means by which our own vast empire in that quarter was acquired” without understanding the history of the Marathas. This clearly underlines the relevance of Maratha History even to this day.
Although, there are numerous works on Chh. Shivaji Maharaj, the Peshwas, the Mughal Maratha Relations, the Anglo- Maratha relations and so on. There was a need for a brief and authentic History of the Marathas for a wider audience and not just historians. Based on his years of experience teaching this subject and also having written on it both in English and Marathi. Prof. A. R. Kulkarni revised his earlier writtings, and added many new things to make this history complete, from the Rise of Maratha Power to its ultimate annexation to the East India Company in 1818.
This book will serve the purpose of those who are interested in knowing 'who were the Marathas?' and 'what role did they play in shaping the History of India prior to the establishment of British Raj in India ?’
Prof. A. R. Kulkarni (B. 1925), Professor Emeritus of History, University of Pune; Vice-Chancellor, Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth; Chairman, Indian Council of Historical Research (1978-81), General President, Indian History Congress, Delhi Session (1992); Vice President Oral History Session of the World History Congress, Bucharest session (1979); Visiting Fellow, School of Oriental and African Studies, London University (1968 and 1975); Fellow, Naison de Social Sciences, Paris (1988, 1990) ; National Fellow of the ICHR (1987-90); Nominee of the Govt. of India on the National Archives of India (1990-2001).