Peshwa Period & Maratha Wars — Set 10

Correct Answer: C. Battle of Assaye

The Battle of Assaye was fought on September 23, 1803, near the village of Assaye in Vidarbha (Maharashtra). British General Arthur Wellesley defeated the combined Maratha forces of Scindia and Bhonsle of Nagpur. Wellesley suffered heavy losses but won the battle and later regarded it as his greatest military achievement.

Correct Answer: B. Third Battle of Panipat

The Third Battle of Panipat (1761) accelerated the Maratha Empire's decline significantly. The loss of tens of thousands of soldiers, nobles, and the elite of the Maratha military was an irreplaceable blow. Although Madhav Rao I temporarily restored Maratha power, the empire never recovered its earlier vigor and was ultimately subjugated by the British.

Correct Answer: C. Treaty of Surji-Anjangaon

The Treaty of Surji-Anjangaon was signed on December 30, 1803, between the British and Daulat Rao Scindia, following the Second Anglo-Maratha War. Under this treaty, the British gained significant territories including Delhi and Agra areas, and Scindia accepted British paramountcy over these regions. This was a major blow to Scindia's power and prestige.

Correct Answer: A. Madhav Rao I

Madhav Rao I is known as 'Madhav Rao the Elder' or 'Thorle Madhav Rao' to distinguish him from Madhav Rao II (Sawai Madhav Rao). He was the fourth Peshwa and is considered one of the greatest, known for reviving Maratha power after Panipat. He is celebrated as a wise and just ruler who died tragically young at 27.

Correct Answer: B. Suicide by jumping from Shaniwarwada

Peshwa Sawai Madhav Rao (Madhav Rao II) died on October 27, 1795, by jumping from the Shaniwarwada palace, reportedly to escape the control of the regent Nana Phadnavis and the domineering influence of court factions. He was just 21 years old. His death led to intense succession struggles and the rise of Baji Rao II.

Correct Answer: B. Konkan coast

The Chitpavan Brahmins (also known as Konkanastha Brahmins) came from the Konkan coastal region of Maharashtra. The Bhat family, who became Peshwas, was from this community. The Chitpavan Brahmins have been prominent in Maharashtra's intellectual, political, and social history, including producing leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.

Correct Answer: C. Battle of Ashti

The Battle of Ashti (February 19, 1818) is considered the last major battle of the Maratha Confederacy, where Peshwa Baji Rao II's final army was decisively defeated by British forces. Following this defeat, Baji Rao II wandered for months before surrendering. The battle effectively ended organized Maratha resistance to British rule.

Correct Answer: B. Hurricane of War

Peshwa Baji Rao I earned the nickname 'Hurricane of War' for his lightning fast cavalry tactics and incredible speed of movement. He was known for covering hundreds of kilometers in days with his cavalry force to surprise his enemies. His ability to appear unexpectedly far from his base was his military trademark.

Correct Answer: C. Poor logistics and the coalition between Ahmad Shah and the Rohillas

The Maratha defeat at the Third Battle of Panipat is primarily attributed to poor logistics (the army was starving), the coalition between Ahmad Shah Durrani and the Rohilla Afghans under Najib ud Daulah, and the failure to secure northern Indian allies. The Jats, Rajputs, and Awadh refused to support the Marathas. This isolation combined with supply failures made defeat inevitable.

Correct Answer: C. He retained nominal sovereignty under British protection

After the Third Anglo-Maratha War, the Chhatrapati of Satara was restored to his throne as a nominal ruler under British protection in 1818. The British abolished the Peshwaship and directly controlled Pune, but maintained the Satara royal family as a gesture of legitimacy. Satara State was later annexed by the British in 1848.