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Origins and Early Expansion of Maratha Influence in Rajasthan

Maratha power was first organized and consolidated under the leadership of Shivaji. Following the death of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, the Marathas adopted a policy of expansion toward North India. This strategic shift led to frequent Maratha incursions into the regions of Malwa and Gujarat. The increasing frequency of these attacks on Malwa and Gujarat became a significant concern for the various rulers within Rajasthan. The first recorded entry of Marathas into Rajasthan occurred in $1711\,AD$ within the territory of Mewar. This marked the beginning of a transformative era in regional politics.

In $1720\,AD$, Peshwa Bajirao established a grand objective for the Maratha Empire, aiming to raise the Maratha flag from "Atak to Katak" (Attock to Cuttack). This ambitious goal signaled a concerted push toward Northern India. By $1726\,AD$, Maratha forces launched attacks on the states of Kota and Bundi. This was followed in $1728\,AD$ by the rulers of Dungarpur and Banswara formally agreeing to pay Khiraj (tribute) to the Marathas. A pivotal moment occurred on $22\,April\,1734$, when Maratha forces intervened in Bundi to reinstate Budh Singh as the ruler. This event is historically significant as it represented the first direct Maratha interference in the domestic political affairs of the Rajasthani states. These developments instilled a sense of fear among the local Rajput rulers, who realized the urgent necessity of formulating a cohesive policy to counter Maratha expansion.

The Hurda Conference of 1734

To address the growing threat posed by the Marathas, the Rajput kings of Rajasthan convened a significant gathering known as the Hurda Conference. This assembly took place on $17\,July\,1734$ in Hurda, located in the Bhilwara district. The conference was presided over by Maharana Jagat Singh (II) of Mewar