(1/14) Most Indians know every single colonizing Uzbek Mughal emperor from Babur to Aurangzeb but not as much about key indigenous historic figures that shaped the Maratha empire which lasted as long as Mughal did & covered equal area. Read on to decolonize & balance the scales. 
(2/14) Jijamata - Shivaji raje’s mother & a central figure in his life as his father Shahaji was away on military assignments most of his childhood. She was instrumental in managing Pune Jaagir. Died 12 days after seeing him coronated as Maharaj of Maratha empire in 1674
(3/14) Sambaji - Shivaji raje’s son who initially had a complex relationship with his father but after his death turned around & valiantly defended newly formed Maratha empire from multiple enemies.Was ultimately captured by Aurangzeb & tortured to death for refusing Islam in1689
(4/14) Tara bai - Hardly anyone knows her but if I’m to pick 1 person without whom the fledgling new found Maratha empire would be all but over after death of Sambaji & Rajaram it would be Tarabai. Under her Marathas fought a 25 year war that ended in total Mughal defeat by 1707
(5/14) Bajirao Ballal - He was little known till the movie came out but he’s Indians finest generals who fought 41 battles & lost none. If Tara bai was instrumental in ensuring Maratha survival then Bajirao Ballal was the one who expanded it till Attock.
(6/14) Balaji Bajirao (Nana Saheb) - Tides started turning slightly in his time with a major defeat in Panipat 1761 where his son Vishwasrao & cousin Raghunathrao & were killed. He died of shock soon after.
(7/14) Madhavrao peshwa - During his tenure, the Maratha empire fully recovered from the losses of Panipat. It’s unfortunate that little is know about this legend & what’s more unfortunate is his untimely death in 1772 if not for which history might have been different
(8/14) Mahadaji Shinde - Reinstated Maratha power in North India after the Panipat 3 & one of the main generals of the Maratha confederacy in Gwalior. By his time Maratha empire was a union of confederacies & not a single empire
(9/14) Malhar Rao Holkar - A general of Bajirao Ballal who started the Holkar dynasty (part of Maratha confederacy) in Indore.
(10/14) Nana Phadnavis - During a period of political instability as one Peshwa was rapidly succeeded by another, Nana Phadnavis played a pivotal role in holding the Maratha Confederacy together in the midst of internal dissension & growing power of the British east India company
(11/14) Ahilyabai Holkar - One of the last super stars of the Maratha empire. She took over Indore after his father in law Malhar Rao Holkar’s death. Inspite of having a very tragic personal life she was an administrator & military commander par excellence till her death in 1795
(12/14) Bajirao 2 - Loser, sexual pervert, weirdo & coward who finally brought in the collapse of the great Maratha empire by practically running away & giving up in final Anglo Maratha war in 1818 when he could have easily fought back. But one of the most interesting characters
(13/14) Nana Saheb 2 - Adopted son of Bajirao 2 who despised his hedonist father. Wanted 2 be everything his father was not. A most interesting story. He gave a final shot at regaining Maratha glory in the rebellion of 1857 but lost. Finally escaped to Nepal & died there in 1859
(14/14) Lakshmibai/Manikarnika - She was actually in the artificially created village of Bithur where Bajirao 2 was exiled as her father worked for him. Her childhood friends were Tantia Tope & Nana Saheb. Destiny made her Queen of Jhansi & she died fighting British EIC in 1857
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