Maratha Empire
Overview
The Maratha Empire was founded by Sivaji as an independent kingdom which covered much of India between 1674 and 1818. From the time of Sivaji's grandson it was effectively ruled by the Peshwa (prime minister) and gradually evolved into a confederacy of powerful regional rulers. These were the Gaekwads of Baroda, the Holkars of Indore, the Scindias of Gwalior and the Bhonsales of Nagpur.