Question

Write in detail about the social conditions during the Maratha period.

(a) Art 

(b) Architecture 

(c) Literature

Answer 1

(a) Art: 

• The development of Maratha miniature paintings is seen through illustrations on the manuscripts such as pothis, pattachitra, and patrikas. The same style is maintained in the glass paintings as well.
• Illustrated manuscripts of Sanskrit texts such as ‘Bhagvat Gita’, ‘Devi Saptashati’, ‘Bhagvat Purana’ as well as Marathi texts such as ‘Dnyaneshwari’ (Bhavarthadipika), ‘Shivaleelamrut’, ‘Pandavapratap’ etc. are available. 
• The paintings of Dashavatara are included in them. The wooden stands of the pothis have paintings of various deities in dark red, green, and yellow colours.
• The miniature paintings, include human portraits and themes like ragamalas, talamala, processions, etc. 
• Remarkable portraits of Bajirao I, Nanasaheb Peshwa, Pilaji Jadhavrao are available. Murals are found on the facade of the wadas as well as on the walls of reception areas (Diwankhana) and bedrooms. 
• In the temples, the mandapa wall, owri (varanda), shikhara, gabhara (sanctum sanctorum), and chat (ceiling) were also decorated with paintings. Mythological stories form the main theme of these murals. 
• They include scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharata and Puranas. The paintings of Dashavatara and Krishnaleela are found almost everywhere. 
• The subjects of contemporary social life were also popular in the paintings. The royal court, royal meetings, processions were also included in them. 
• Keertan, Bhajana, Powadas (Ballads), Lavani were popular folk songs in Maharashtra.

(b) Architecture:

• Forts – Chh. Shivaji Maharaj gave priority to building forts. The tradition of building forts was prevalent in the Deccan in the last three centuries. This tradition proved to be of advantage to Chh. Shivaji Maharaj.. 
• Temples – The Kasaba temple in Pune and Vitthal temple in Vitthalwadi were reconstructed by Veermata Jijabai. The construction of temples began on a large scale during the later Peshwa period. These temples were of three types. Examples, of the temple architecture of this period, are found at Saswad (‘Vateshwar’ ‘Sangameshwar’), Mahuli (‘Vishweshwar’). 
• Town Planning – Pune, Satara, and Nashik developed into big cities. These cities had well-paved roads, wadas on both sides of the road, and arched gates at intervals.

(c) Literature:

• Marathi literature developed greatly during this period. Sant Tukaram of this period was a poet of the Warkari sect. 
• Samarth Ramdas wrote ‘Dasbodh’ and ‘Manache Shlok’ in Marathi. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj got the ‘Rajyavyavaharakosha’ prepared which was a compilation of Sanskrit lexicon for Persian terms. 
• Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was a great writer and Sanskrit scholar. The Sanskrit text ‘Budhabhushan’ was written by him. 
• This text is an overview of ancient texts on the polity. Apart from Sanskrit, he also knew many other languages. 
• He wrote texts in Brij language namely ‘Nayikabhed’, ‘Nakhshikh’ and ‘Satasattak’. Muhammad Qasim Ferishta wrote the history of India in 12 volumes named ‘Gulshane-i-Ibrahimi’. 
• In the 18th century, well-known literary works were composed such as ‘Yatharthdeepika’ by Vaman Pandit, ‘Naladamayanti Swayamvara’ by Raghunath Pandit, Pandavapratapa, Harivijay, Ramavijay by Shridhar Pandit, and the translation of Mahabharata by Moropant. Bakhar literature is important among the historical literature in Marathi. 
• It contains eulogies of the heroes and stories of historic events, battles, lives of great men. Sabhasad Bakhar, Bhausahebanchi Bakhar, Panipatchi Bakhar are some of its examples. 
• Krushna Dayarnav and Shridhar were the main poets during the Peshwa period. Poet Mahipati composed ‘Bhaktivijay’ in this period.