Opinion: The French played a significant role in increasing the military strength
of the Marathas, especially during the 18th century. The French, under the leadership of
leaders like Dupleix, provided military support, training, and artillery to the Maratha forces.
The French military expertise helped the Marathas become a formidable force in the Deccan
and beyond. The Maratha-French alliance also led to the creation of the Maratha Navy,
which played a crucial role in regional conflicts. However, with the eventual defeat of the
French in India, the Marathas were left to fend for themselves, but their military strength had
already been boosted by the French