who founded the Maratha Empire ? who was Shivaji?

On April 6, 1627 AD, a son was born to Jijabai in the house of Shahji Bhonsle in Shivner fort near Junnar, whom he named Shivaji. Shahaji Bhonsle had two wives, the second wife's name was Tukabai Mohite. Shivaji was a disciple of Konddev Shivaji's conduct was influenced by Guru Ramdas in the spiritual field. Shivaji was married at the age of 13 to Saibai Nimbalkar. Due to Bijapur being under Adil Shah, Shahaji Bhonsle gave Shivaji the Jagir of Pune and himself got employed in the princely state of Bijapur. Shivaji founded the maratha Empire.Shivaji stayed in Lal Mahal and started a military campaign to free Bijapur from the oppression of Adil Shah. Under the military campaign, in 1644, Shivaji first attacked the Toran of Bijapur and captured the hill fort of Toran, after that in 1656 Shivaji made Raigad his capital. Shivaji had divided his army into three main parts.

Paga Sena - These used to be regular cavalry soldiers who used to ride only on horse.

Silahdar - These were temporary type of cavalry soldiers who had to ride only when required.

 Infantry - It regularly participated in battles on foot.  In 1665 AD, Sultan Adil Shah of Bijapur sent his able commander Afzal Khan to defeat Shivaji, but Shivaji killed Afzal Khan, after that in 1665, Shivaji made a treaty with Maharaja Jai ​​Singh, which was  It was called the Treaty of Purandar.  In May 1666 AD, Aurangzeb imprisoned Shivaji in the building of Jaipur.  But on 16 August 1666 AD, Shivaji escaped from the building of Jaipur.  After this, Shivaji snatched the Panhala fort from Bijapur in 1672 AD and on 5 June 1676 AD, Shivaji got his state anointed by the famous scholar Shri Ganga Bhat in Raigad.  Shivaji had been living in Varanasi since time immemorial and created a well-organized and strong governance system in his kingdom.  In which Shivaji's cabinet was called Ashtapradhan under the governance system, there used to be 8 major posts in Ashtapradhan, in which the post of Peshwa was most important and respected.

Ashtapradhan-

 Peshwa - It used to be the highest and respected post of the cabinet which used to look after the administration and economy of the state.

 Sari-e-Naubat - The subordinate officer on this post used to be the head of the military department and used to take care of all the arrangements of the military department.

 Judge - The judge had to handle all types of justice in the state.

 Amatya - The subordinate officer on this post was called the revenue minister and he kept the account of the income and expenditure of the entire state.

 Vakyanvis - On this post, the subordinate officer used to be the chief head of the departments of Information Secret Char and Treaty Vigraha and was responsible for handling this department.

 Sumant - This officer used to take charge of foreign affairs, that is, he used to be the foreign minister.

 Chitnis - The officer of this post used to read the official letters and see and organize their language style.

 Panditrao - Subordinate to this post was the Pandit who used to handle the arrangement of all religious works and used to determine the date and time for religious works.

 Shivaji made his tax system on the basis of Malik Ambar's tax system. Shivaji removed the system of measurement of land by rope and started using saddle and standard stick. Shivaji took 33% of the total produce as revenue during his reign.  Basula started to be known, which was later increased to 40%, taxes named Chauth and Sardeshmukhi were also imposed by Shivaji.  ,

 Chauth - This was the tax which was in the form of an amount given in return for not ruining any one area.

 Sardeshmukhi - In this tax, Shivaji wanted to present himself as the best Deshmukh by claiming his right.

 Shivaji died at the age of 53 on 3 April 1680 AD.

First Anglo Maratha war.