Peshwa Period & Maratha Wars — Set 7

Correct Answer: B. Three

There were three Anglo-Maratha Wars: First (1775-1782), Second (1803-1805), and Third (1817-1818). Each successive war further weakened the Maratha Confederacy. The Third War ended with the complete defeat of the Marathas and the effective end of the Maratha Empire.

Correct Answer: C. Food and supply lines

The Maratha defeat at the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761 was largely due to the failure of logistics and supply lines. The Maratha army, far from its home territory, was besieged and starved for months before the battle. Without adequate food and forage, the army was severely weakened before the battle even began.

Correct Answer: D. French

Mahadji Scindia employed French military officers, most notably Benoit de Boigne, to train and command his Maratha infantry forces on European lines. This gave Scindia's forces (called the Deccan Infantry) a significant military advantage in the late 18th century. The French-trained Maratha forces were among the most disciplined and effective in India.

Correct Answer: C. Tanaji Malusare

Tanaji Malusare recaptured Sinhagad Fort (then called Kondana) from the Mughals in 1670 in a daring night assault. He scaled the near-vertical cliff using a monitor lizard (ghorpad) to anchor a rope. He died in the battle and Shivaji renamed the fort Sinhagad (Lion's Fort) in his memory.

Correct Answer: C. Lord Wellesley

Lord Wellesley (Richard Colley Wellesley) devised the Subsidiary Alliance system after becoming Governor-General of India in 1798. The system was designed to create a ring of dependent Indian states around British-controlled territories. Several Maratha states were brought under this system through the Second Anglo-Maratha War.

Correct Answer: B. Peshwa Baji Rao II

Peshwa Baji Rao II fought the British at the Battle of Khadki (Kirkee) on November 5, 1817, in what became the opening engagement of the Third Anglo-Maratha War. Despite initial Peshwa resistance, the British forces under Colonel Burr defeated the larger Peshwa army. This battle effectively began the end of Peshwa power.

Correct Answer: C. The Panipat Disaster

The Third Battle of Panipat is sometimes called the Panipat Disaster by Indian historians due to the catastrophic nature of the Maratha defeat. Tens of thousands of Maratha soldiers, nobles, and camp followers died in the battle and its aftermath. The defeat ended Maratha dreams of establishing a Pan-India empire.

Correct Answer: B. Dasara (Vijayadashami)

The festival of Dasara (Vijayadashami) was traditionally the day when Maratha rulers performed Seemolanghan (crossing of territorial limits) to mark the beginning of military campaigns. This tradition continues symbolically in Maharashtra. Dasara also marks the victory of good over evil and is celebrated with great enthusiasm across India.

Correct Answer: B. Nominal royal capital of the Chhatrapati

Satara served as the nominal royal capital of the Chhatrapati (the descendants of Shivaji) during the Peshwa period. While real power resided with the Peshwas in Pune, Satara maintained its symbolic importance as the seat of the Maratha royal family. The Chhatrapati at Satara remained the nominal sovereign of the Maratha Confederacy.

Correct Answer: B. Never losing a battle

Peshwa Baji Rao I is particularly famous for never losing a single battle throughout his military career, which spanned about 20 years. He fought over 40 battles and emerged victorious in all. His military record is considered exceptional and he is regarded as one of the greatest cavalry commanders in world history.