The people who spoke Mahratta (nowadays usually called Marathi) were a Hindu tribal confederation.  The identity of this confederation emerged first in opposition to Mughal rule in India, but later posed a threat to British ambitions.

The Mahratta capital was Poona, located 75 miles southeast of Bombay.  The fierce devotion of the Mahrattas to Hinduism resulted in a warlike response to British presence in India.

The appearance of Carey's work in Mahratta was opportune.  It coincided with the British triumph over the Mahrattas in a series of three wars that lasted from 1776 to 1782, from 1803 to 1806, and from 1817 to 1819. 

Created: January 11, 2002  Updated: February 5, 2002