Peshwa Period & Maratha Wars — Set 12

Correct Answer: C. Maratha Bargis

The 'Maratha Ditch' (Maratha Khanda) was a defensive ditch dug around Calcutta by the British in 1742 due to the fear of raids by Maratha Bargis (raiders). The Maratha Bargis under the Nagpur Bhonsle had been terrorizing Bengal since the 1740s. This ditch testifies to the military reputation and reach of the Maratha forces.

Correct Answer: B. Chiefs were subordinate but largely autonomous

The five major Maratha chiefs (Scindia, Holkar, Bhonsle of Nagpur, Gaekwad, and the Peshwa himself) were nominally subordinate to the Peshwa but largely autonomous in their own territories. They were united by common loyalty to the Chhatrapati and the Peshwa, but often acted independently. This loose confederate structure was both a source of Maratha strength and weakness.

Correct Answer: C. Preferred swift cavalry movements over siege warfare

Baji Rao I revolutionized Maratha warfare by preferring rapid cavalry-based mobile warfare over traditional siege warfare. He believed in striking deep into enemy territory at lightning speed rather than capturing forts. This approach allowed him to threaten enemy capitals and force quick surrenders without prolonged sieges.

Correct Answer: B. Battle of Bhopal

The Battle of Bhopal (1737) was fought near Bhopal in central India where Peshwa Baji Rao I defeated a large Mughal army. Following this victory, Baji Rao marched his cavalry force to the outskirts of Delhi, creating panic in the Mughal court. The Mughal Emperor Mughal could do nothing as Maratha forces camped near the capital.

Correct Answer: B. From Kshatriya Marathas to Chitpavan Brahmins

The rise of the Peshwas represented a shift of real political power from the Kshatriya Maratha clan (represented by the Chhatrapati at Satara) to the Chitpavan Brahmin community (represented by the Peshwas at Pune). This change had significant social implications for Maharashtra. The Chhatrapati remained the nominal sovereign but real power resided with the Brahmin Peshwas.

Correct Answer: A. Gwalior, Baroda, Indore, Kolhapur, Satara

The major Maratha princely states that survived after 1818 under British paramountcy included Gwalior (Scindia), Baroda (Gaekwad), Indore (Holkar), Kolhapur, Satara, Nagpur (Bhonsle), and several smaller states. These states retained their internal autonomy but lost the right to conduct independent foreign policy. They eventually merged into independent India in 1947-1948.

Correct Answer: C. Internal conflicts, succession disputes, and British military and diplomatic pressure

The Peshwas lost power due to a combination of internal succession conflicts (like the Raghunathrao crisis), the devastating defeat at Panipat, disunity among the Maratha chiefs, and sustained British military and diplomatic pressure. No single factor alone was decisive. The British skillfully exploited Maratha disunity to defeat them one by one.

Correct Answer: B. Strike the withering trunk of the Mughal tree

Baji Rao I famously urged his political masters to 'strike the withering trunk' of the Mughal tree, meaning that the Mughal Empire was weak and the Marathas should seize the opportunity to establish their dominance. This strategic vision guided his northward campaigns. His campaign to Delhi in 1737 embodied this aggressive expansionist strategy.

Correct Answer: C. 60,000-100,000 including camp followers

The Third Battle of Panipat resulted in enormous Maratha losses estimated at 60,000 to 100,000 people, including soldiers, camp followers, pilgrims, and civilians who had accompanied the army. The loss included the cream of Maratha nobility and military leadership. The destruction of an entire generation of Maratha military leadership was devastating for the empire.

Correct Answer: C. British military superiority combined with Maratha political disunity

The Anglo-Maratha Wars ended with British victory primarily because of British military superiority (better-trained infantry, superior artillery, effective logistics) combined with Maratha political disunity. The Maratha chiefs fought the British one at a time rather than as a unified force. British diplomacy also successfully kept the Maratha chiefs divided, preventing any unified resistance.