Maratha Empire & Shivaji — Set 6

Correct Answer: B. B. Sambhaji

Shahu Maharaj was the son of Chhatrapati Sambhaji and was held captive by the Mughals after his father's execution in 1689. After Aurangzeb's death in 1707, the Mughals released Shahu as part of a political strategy. Shahu returned to Maharashtra and claimed the throne, leading to a civil war with Tarabai.

Correct Answer: B. B. Balaji Vishwanath

Balaji Vishwanath was appointed as Peshwa by Shahu Maharaj in 1713 and is considered the first Peshwa who laid the foundation of the Peshwa-dominated Maratha Confederacy. He secured diplomatic recognition of Shahu's legitimacy and expanded Maratha political influence across the Deccan. His appointment marked the beginning of Brahmin Peshwas' dominance over Maratha politics.

Correct Answer: C. C. The Peshwas collectively in the 1740s–1750s

The Maratha Empire reached its greatest territorial extent under the Peshwas in the 1740s-1750s, with influence extending from Attock in the northwest to Bengal in the east. The combined military campaigns of Baji Rao I, Balaji Baji Rao, and their commanders established this vast empire. This expansion was halted by the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761.

Correct Answer: B. B. Baji Rao I

Baji Rao I, the great Peshwa, won the Battle of Bhopal in 1737 against a combined force of the Mughals and the Nizam of Hyderabad. This victory brought large territories under Maratha control. After Bhopal, the Marathas raided Delhi itself, reaching the height of their power in the north.

Correct Answer: C. C. Marathi

Shivaji Maharaj deliberately replaced Persian with Marathi as the administrative language of his empire. He also commissioned the compilation of a Marathi administrative glossary called the 'Rajyavyavahar Kosh' to replace Persian terms. This was a significant cultural assertion of Maratha identity.

Correct Answer: A. A. Ganimi Kava

Shivaji's military genius lay in his mastery of guerrilla warfare, known in Marathi as 'Ganimi Kava'. This involved swift unexpected raids, hit-and-run tactics, using terrain advantages, and avoiding pitched battles with superior Mughal armies. Ganimi Kava allowed the Marathas to repeatedly defeat numerically superior enemies.

Correct Answer: B. B. Mavalas

The Mavalas were Shivaji's core infantry troops, recruited from the Maval valleys on the eastern slopes of the Sahyadri mountains near Pune. They were hardy mountain fighters who excelled at guerrilla warfare. The Mavalas were the backbone of Shivaji's early army and played a crucial role in the capture of many forts.

Correct Answer: B. B. State-equipped cavalry soldiers

Bargirs were cavalry soldiers in the Maratha army who were equipped with horses and weapons provided by the state. This was in contrast to Shiledars who brought their own horses and equipment. The Bargir system allowed the Maratha army to maintain a large and standardised cavalry force.

Correct Answer: D. D. 360

By the time of his death in 1680, Shivaji Maharaj had approximately 360 forts under his control. Forts were the cornerstone of his defensive strategy, providing refuge, storage for supplies and treasure, and platforms for controlling territories. Each fort was governed by a trio of officials to prevent abuse of power.

Correct Answer: A. A. Havaldar, Sabnis, Karkhanis

Shivaji appointed three separate officers for each fort: Havaldar (military commander), Sabnis (accountant), and Karkhanis (store-keeper). No single officer had complete control, and they reported independently to the central authority. This system of checks and balances prevented corruption and disloyalty at the fort level.