S.

Raghavaraj
MARATHAS BD/14/3875
FC 4th semester
 Brief history

The Maratha Empire existed from 1674 to 1818 .

The Marathas are credited to a large extent for ending

the Mughal rule in India.

They became prominent in the 17th century under the leadership

of Shivaji. They are Hindu warrior group from the western Deccan
Plateau.

Marathas remained the preeminent power in India until their

defeat in the second and third Anglo-Maratha wars (18051818)
which left the East India Company in control of most of India.
Mens costume
Clothing

Angrakhas- is a variation of the kurta which ties the

front and
is worn with a churidar kurta. .
Sometimes, a jacket is worn .It is known as bandi.
Sadara - This is a half sleeve or full sleeve Shirt which is
knee length long.It has a short opening in the front with
button fastners.
Dhotar - Dhotar is a unstitched lower garment
wrapped around the waist. The way of tying the Dhotar
gives immense freedom of movement and comfort.
Dhotar is always white in colour made from cotton mul-
mul fabric. It may have a small decorative woven border.
Mens costume

Headgear

Pheta is the traditional turban worn by marathas.

They are generally worn during weddings, festivals,
religious events extra. The usually long cloths typically
3.5 to 6 meters long. Worn in many colours (typically,
saffron-valour and white- peace .

Mundasa is worn during the non-festive period.

Religious Mens costume
Clothing
Barabandi- this is a traditional upper garment for brahmin men. It is a
overlapping white cotton shirt which has 6 pairs of strings in front on one side
,for fastening. Generally fine cotton like mul-mul, cambric is used to make this
garment, and the colour is always white.

Dhotar - Dhotar is a unstitched lower garment wrapped around the waist.

The way of tying the Dhotar gives immense freedom of movement and comfort.
Dhotar is always white in colour made from cotton mul-mul fabric. It may have
a small decorative woven border.While performing religious rituals , Brahmin
man has to wear a 'Sovale' . It is similar to Dhotar but made in fine pure silk. It
is available in pink , yellow, purple, orange, maroon colours.

Uparne - This is a type of scarf worn over the shoulder . It is either silk or
cotton woven with traditional small border designs along the sides.
 Women's Costume
Kaastha / Sakachcha sari , drapped similar to the way Marathian
dothi are worn.Also commonly known as Nauvari ( single nine yard
cloth). Traditionally worn without a petticoat, draped in a way that the
center of the sari is neatly placed at the back of the waist, ends of the
sari wrapped around the legs. The decorative ends are draped over
the shoulder.
Choli - This is a bodice . The traditional fabric used to make the bodice
is known as ' Khann', which is an extra warp figured fabric, having silk
like appearance and woven with small attractive motifs
Shela - This is a decorative scarf like fabric thrown around the
shoulders over the sari.This was more in fashion among the ladies from
royal families.

The difference between the clothes of the courtier and those of the commoner
essential lies in the base fabric. Tribal women wore Saris and Odonis
made of cotton while the ladies from the royal court wore saris made out
of the finest of muslin , inlayed with gold and silver.
Jewelry

Some of the traditional jewelry of the Marathi women

Nath
Thushi
Mohan Mala
Lakshmi haar
Kolapuri Saaj
Kaan/Ear cuff
Tikada
Rani haar
Vaaki
Bramhani nath

Nath

Traditionally worn by
women on her nose at some
special occasion such as
wedding or a pooja.
It is woven with pearls &
studded with pink or white
stone in the middle.
Nath comes in different
style, Bramhani nath is one
of the famous nath studded
with basra pearl &
emerald.
Thushi

Thushi is a choker style

neckpiece woven with the
gold beads very closely.

It has an adjustable dori

so that you can adjust it
according to your neck.
Mohan mala

Mohan mala is a long

beaded golden necklace
having many layers of golden
bead strings.

They might have two to eight

layers , they may vary.
Lakshmi haar

Lakshmi haar is also

known as coin necklace or
temple necklace.

The coin are decorated

with intricate carving of
Goddess Laxmi & Lord
Ganesha.
Kolhapuri Saaj

Kolhapuri saaj is very famous

among Maharashtrian women &
it is as special as Mangalsutra.

It is made with jav mani (golden

beads) & 21 leaves shape
pendent.

Every pendent is well-known for

its own meaning. Out of these
21 pendent, 10 pendent defines
the ten avatar or Lord Vishnu, 2
pendent have ruby & emerald
stone, 8 pendent are for
ashtamangal (ashta means eight
& mangal means good
happenings) & last pendent is
taviz.
Tikada set

Tikada set is a traditional

pearl choker style
necklace set crafted from
pearls.

Tikada set may have one

middle pendent or may
have several pendent for
added attraction.
Rani haar

Rani haar is a long

pearl necklace set with
three layers of pearl
string as well a
pendent in middle.
Vaaki

Vaaki is also known as armlet

or bajuband.

Traditionally it is worn on
both armlet .

A traditional design is in flat

studded with stunning stones
in middle.
Military costumes

Maratha Horsemen n Soldiers:

Clothing:
Tight breeches covering the knee.
Turban
Frock (Quilted cotton)
Piece of cloth around the waist
(which generally girded their swords)

Jewelry:
Gold rings , earrings and Necklaces

Grooming:
Long Mustaches (considered as a mark of distinction)

Weapons:
Primary: Long spears
Secondary: Shields ,Swords, Matchlocks
Coins

Shivrai

Minted from Copper

150 different types extant till date

Was in circulation till the end of 19th century

Thank you