ICSE Class 8 Answered

The Marathas emerged as a powerful force in the 18th century. The Maratha Peshwas and powerful chiefs helped in territorial expansion. It was under Peshwa Baji Rao that the Marathas expanded their territories. Baji Rao I is said to have led the Maratha forces in more than 40 battles, winning most of them, including the ‘Battle of Palkhed’ (1728), ‘Battle of Delhi’ (1737), and ‘Battle of Bhopal’ (1737). Later, it was because of the contribution of various Maratha chiefs along with Peshwa that the Marathas reached to the north and became the protectors of the Mughals who by this time had become weak.