Which city served as the effective capital of the Maratha Confederacy under the Peshwas?

Correct Option

The correct option is

Poona

Explanation

The Maratha polity evolved from a centralized monarchy established by Shivaji Maharaj into a loose confederacy during the 18th century. While the Chhatrapati (King) remained the titular head, the Peshwa (Prime Minister) emerged as the de facto ruler, shifting the center of power.

Detailed Analysis

• Poona (Pune): This city served as the headquarters of the Peshwas. Under Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao (Nana Saheb), and specifically after the Sangola Agreement (1750), the supreme executive power of the Maratha Empire was formally transferred to the Peshwa. Consequently, Poona became the effective political and administrative capital of the Maratha Confederacy.
• Satara: This was the capital of the Maratha Kingdom under Chhatrapati Shahu. Even after the Peshwas assumed control, Satara remained the seat of the Chhatrapati, who functioned as the ceremonial head of the state without effective political power.
• Raigad: This hill fort served as the capital of the independent Maratha Kingdom under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It lost its central administrative significance after the Mughal conquest in 1689 and the subsequent shift of Maratha activities.
• Nagpur: This city was the seat of the Bhonsles, one of the powerful Maratha sardar families within the Confederacy. While important, it was a regional center rather than the central capital of the empire.

Key Takeaway: While Satara remained the ceremonial seat of the Chhatrapati, Poona functioned as the real administrative capital of the Maratha Confederacy under the Peshwas.