Consider the following statements regarding the military strategy and campaigns of Peshwa Baji Rao I:
1. He formulated the bold policy of expanding Maratha power into northern India, famously advocating to "strike at the trunk of the withering tree."
2. He suffered a severe military defeat at the hands of Nizam-ul-Mulk at the Battle of Palkhed, halting Maratha expansion in the south.
3. Under his aggressive leadership, the Maratha paramountcy was extended into Gujarat, Malwa, and Bundelkhand.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct regarding his northern expansionist policy and territorial gains. Statement 2 is incorrect; Baji Rao I famously outmaneuvered and decisively *defeated* Nizam-ul-Mulk at the Battle of Palkhed (1728), forcing the Nizam to recognize Maratha claims in the Deccan.
Consider the following statements regarding the internal dynamics of the Maratha Confederacy in the late 18th century:
1. Mahadji Scindia and Yashwantrao Holkar formed a permanent, unbroken alliance that successfully drove all British influence out of North India.
2. Mahadji Scindia established a formidable, modernized army equipped with artillery, trained by European officers like Benoît de Boigne.
3. The intense, bloody internal rivalry between the Scindias and Holkars significantly weakened the Maratha Confederacy on the eve of the Second Anglo-Maratha War.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 2 and 3 are correct. Mahadji Scindia utilized European officers, and the Scindia-Holkar rivalry (culminating in the Battle of Poona in 1802) crippled the empire. Statement 1 is incorrect; the Scindias and Holkars were bitter rivals vying for supremacy in the north, not a permanent alliance.
Consider the following statements regarding the stipulations of the Treaty of Bassein (1802):
1. It mandated the Peshwa to station a permanent British subsidiary force within his territories at his own expense.
2. The Peshwa surrendered the city of Surat and yielded extensive territories generating significant annual revenue to the British for the maintenance of troops.
3. The Peshwa explicitly agreed not to employ any European national hostile to the British without the Company's prior consent.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: All three statements correctly detail the harsh and sovereignty-stripping terms of the Treaty of Bassein, which effectively reduced Peshwa Baji Rao II to a British vassal and triggered the Second Anglo-Maratha War.
Consider the following statements regarding the members of the Maratha Confederacy:
1. The Gaekwads established their dynastic rule from Baroda and were integral members of the Confederacy.
2. The Bhonsles were territorially based in Nagpur and frequently engaged in expansionist conflicts toward the eastern coast, including Odisha.
3. The Holkars, established by Malhar Rao Holkar, ruled from Indore and distinguished themselves through their military prowess in Malwa.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: All three statements correctly match the prominent Maratha families with their respective regional centers of power within the Confederacy: Gaekwads in Baroda, Bhonsles in Nagpur, and Holkars in Indore.
Consider the following statements regarding the early Maratha conflict with the Mughal Empire:
1. Shivaji's daring night attack on the Mughal general Shaista Khan in Pune severely damaged Mughal prestige and morale in the Deccan.
2. Demonstrating immense military power, Shivaji successfully captured Delhi and established his administrative control over the Mughal capital for three years.
3. In 1664, Shivaji sacked the wealthy Mughal port city of Surat to replenish his treasury and disrupt Imperial commerce.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct. The raid on Shaista Khan and the sack of Surat were major early blows to Mughal authority. Statement 2 is incorrect; Shivaji never captured or ruled Delhi. His conflict with the Mughals was primarily restricted to the Deccan and Gujarat.
Consider the following statements regarding the military strategy and campaigns of Peshwa Baji Rao I:
1. He formulated the bold policy of expanding Maratha power into northern India, famously advocating to "strike at the trunk of the withering tree."
2. He successfully defeated Nizam-ul-Mulk at the Battle of Palkhed, forcing the Nizam to recognize Maratha supremacy in the Deccan.
3. Under his leadership, the Maratha paramountcy was strictly confined south of the Narmada river to consolidate the home territories.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Baji Rao I famously advocated attacking the declining Mughals and defeated the Nizam. Statement 3 is incorrect; Baji Rao I was the primary architect of northern expansion, actively pushing Maratha control well north of the Narmada into Malwa, Gujarat, and Bundelkhand.
Consider the following statements regarding the Maratha relations with Mysore:
1. The Marathas repeatedly invaded Mysore territory demanding Chauth, which led to intense conflicts with both Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan.
2. During the Third Anglo-Mysore War, the Marathas allied with Tipu Sultan against the British to prevent European hegemony in the south.
3. The Treaty of Seringapatam (1792) resulted in the Marathas acquiring significant territorial gains extending up to the Tungabhadra River.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Marathas frequently clashed with Mysore over tribute and gained territory in 1792. Statement 2 is incorrect; during the Third Anglo-Mysore War, the Marathas allied *with* the British and the Nizam *against* Tipu Sultan, forming a triple alliance that defeated him.
Consider the following statements regarding the rise of the Peshwas under Balaji Vishwanath:
1. Balaji Vishwanath structurally intervened in Mughal politics by aiding the Sayyid brothers in deposing the Mughal Emperor Farrukhsiyar.
2. He successfully secured Mughal sanads granting the Marathas the right to collect Chauth and Sardeshmukhi from the whole of North India.
3. His tenure marked a shift in Maratha polity where the office of the Peshwa became the most powerful and hereditary position.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Balaji Vishwanath's intervention in Delhi established the hereditary supremacy of the Peshwas. Statement 2 is incorrect; he secured sanads for Chauth and Sardeshmukhi exclusively for the six provinces of the Deccan, not the whole of North India.
Consider the following statements regarding the role of Nana Phadnavis:
1. Following the murder of Peshwa Narayanrao, he formed the 'Barbhai Council' (Council of Twelve) to protect the infant Peshwa Madhavrao II and administer the state.
2. He successfully orchestrated a formidable quadruple alliance involving the Marathas, the Nizam, Mysore, and the French against the British around 1780.
3. His death in 1800 removed the last great unifying statesman of the Maratha Confederacy, accelerating its internal fragmentation and vulnerability.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: All three statements correctly highlight the strategic and diplomatic brilliance of Nana Phadnavis, who managed state affairs through the Barbhai Council, organized anti-British coalitions, and whose death was historically described as the end of Maratha wisdom.
Consider the following statements regarding the Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817-1818):
1. The Third Anglo-Maratha War successfully restored the Maratha Confederacy to its former glory and expelled the British from Pune.
2. Lord Hastings (Marquess of Hastings) aggressively initiated this war under the pretext of destroying the Pindaris, aiming to establish British paramountcy.
3. Following his surrender, Peshwa Baji Rao II was pensioned off by the British and exiled to Bithur near Kanpur.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 2 and 3 are correct. The war was triggered by the Pindari campaign and ended with the Peshwa's exile. Statement 1 is incorrect; the war marked the final, decisive defeat of the Marathas, resulting in the absolute dissolution of the Confederacy and the abolition of the Peshwaship.
Consider the following statements regarding Peshwa Madhavrao I:
1. Taking office after the disaster of Panipat, he successfully resurrected Maratha power in northern India within a decade.
2. He effectively defeated the Nizam of Hyderabad and Hyder Ali of Mysore, checking their territorial expansion into Maratha domains.
3. His premature death from tuberculosis in 1772 is often considered by historians as a blow more fatal to the Maratha Empire than the defeat at Panipat.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: All three statements are correct. Madhavrao I orchestrated the "Maratha Resurrection," checking regional rivals and restoring northern dominance. His early death plunged the empire into a succession crisis from which it never fully recovered.
Consider the following statements regarding Shivaji's early conquests and treaties:
1. The Treaty of Purandar (1665) was signed between Shivaji and the veteran Rajput general Jai Singh of Amber, acting on behalf of Aurangzeb.
2. Under the Treaty of Purandar (1665), Shivaji agreed to surrender 23 of his forts to the Mughals, retaining only 12 for himself.
3. Shivaji's early acquisitions of strategic forts like Torna and Raigad were formally gifted to him by the Adil Shahi Sultanate as a gesture of peace.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct. The Treaty of Purandar forced significant territorial concessions onto Shivaji. Statement 3 is incorrect; Shivaji aggressively captured Torna, Raigad, and other early forts from the declining Adil Shahi Sultanate of Bijapur; they were never gifted.
Consider the following statements regarding the administration of Shivaji (Ashtapradhan):
1. The Peshwa was the supreme political and religious authority, positioned above the Chhatrapati in the administrative hierarchy.
2. The Amatya or Majumdar was the finance minister, responsible for the accounts and income of the state.
3. The Nyayadhish (Chief Justice) and Panditarao (High Priest) were generally exempted from commanding armies in battles.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 2 and 3 are correct. The Amatya handled finances, and the Nyayadhish and Panditarao were the only two ministers in the Ashtapradhan not required to lead military expeditions. Statement 1 is incorrect; under Shivaji, the Chhatrapati was the absolute sovereign, and the Peshwa (Prime Minister) was subordinate to him.
Consider the following statements regarding the Maratha military administration under Shivaji:
1. The cavalry was formally divided into Bargirs, whose horses and arms were provided by the state, and Silahdars, who brought their own equipment.
2. Forts were the nucleus of Shivaji’s military structure, and each important fort was placed under three officers of equal rank to prevent treachery.
3. The famous 'Mavali' infantry primarily consisted of highly paid Rajput mercenaries hired from the plains of North India.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 correctly describe the organization of the cavalry and the strategic management of forts. Statement 3 is incorrect; the Mavalis were local, rugged hill-people from the Western Ghats (Maval region) who formed the highly mobile and fiercely loyal backbone of Shivaji's infantry, not Rajput mercenaries.
Consider the following statements regarding the Maratha Navy:
1. Shivaji explicitly recognized the strategic importance of coastal defense and is often hailed for actively building a formidable naval fleet.
2. Kanhoji Angre emerged in the early 18th century as a formidable Maratha naval commander who successfully challenged European maritime dominance on the western coast.
3. The Maratha navy was instrumental in checking the piracy of the Siddis of Janjira and protecting vital coastal trade routes.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: All three statements correctly highlight the origins and importance of the Maratha Navy, from its foundation by Shivaji to its zenith under the legendary admiral Kanhoji Angre.
Consider the following statements regarding the Maratha administrative terminology:
1. Deshmukhs and Deshpandes were the traditional, powerful district-level hereditary revenue officials in the Deccan.
2. A central pillar of Shivaji's administrative policy was to deliberately curtail the independent powers of the hereditary Deshmukhs to strengthen his centralized state.
3. The 'Saranjam' system referred exclusively to the practice of granting tax-free land to Brahmins for performing religious rituals.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Shivaji curbed the power of Deshmukhs to centralize authority. Statement 3 is incorrect; the 'Saranjam' system involved granting land to Maratha chiefs and military commanders for the maintenance of troops, functioning similarly to the Mughal Jagirdari system, not for religious rituals.
Consider the following statements regarding the revenue system under Shivaji's rule:
1. Shivaji significantly curtailed the Jagirdari system and preferred to pay his officers their salaries in cash.
2. Chauth was a tax representing one-fourth (25%) of the land revenue, collected from neighboring territories to protect them from Maratha raids.
3. The standard unit of measurement for land assessment during his reign was a measuring rod traditionally called the 'Bigha'.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Shivaji preferred cash payments to curb feudal power and levied Chauth as a protection tax. Statement 3 is incorrect; the standard unit of land measurement under Shivaji was the 'Kathi', not the Bigha.
Consider the following statements regarding the Maratha relations with Mysore:
1. During the Third Anglo-Mysore War, the Marathas formed a steadfast alliance with Tipu Sultan to expel the British from South India.
2. The Marathas repeatedly invaded Mysore territory demanding Chauth, which led to intense conflicts with both Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan.
3. The Treaty of Seringapatam (1792) resulted in the Marathas acquiring significant territorial gains extending up to the Tungabhadra River.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 2 and 3 are correct. Marathas clashed with Mysore over tribute and gained territory in 1792. Statement 1 is incorrect; during the Third Anglo-Mysore War, the Marathas allied with the British and the Nizam *against* Tipu Sultan.
Consider the following statements regarding the Third Battle of Panipat (1761):
1. The Maratha forces received decisive military and logistical support from the Rajputs, Sikhs, and Jats against the invading Afghan army.
2. The catastrophic defeat shattered the Maratha ambition of replacing the Mughal Empire as the paramount central power in India.
3. Sadashivrao Bhau and Vishwasrao were prominent Maratha commanders who perished on the battlefield.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 2 and 3 are correct. The battle severely checked Maratha expansion and claimed the lives of key leadership. Statement 1 is incorrect; due to their previous predatory policies, the Marathas were alienated from North Indian powers (Rajputs, Sikhs, Jats) and had to face Ahmad Shah Abdali largely alone.
Consider the following statements regarding the rise of the Peshwas under Balaji Vishwanath:
1. Balaji Vishwanath structurally intervened in Mughal politics by aiding the Sayyid brothers in deposing the Mughal Emperor Farrukhsiyar.
2. He successfully secured Mughal 'sanads' (grants) recognizing Shahu's right to collect Chauth and Sardeshmukhi from the six provinces of the Deccan.
3. His tenure marked a shift in Maratha polity where the office of the Peshwa became the most powerful and hereditary position.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: All three statements are correct. Balaji Vishwanath's diplomatic acumen in securing the Deccan grants in 1719 and his intervention in Delhi solidified the Marathas as a kingmaking power and established the hereditary supremacy of the Peshwas.
Consider the following statements regarding the Maratha Navy:
1. Believing the Marathas to be exclusively a land-based power, Shivaji completely neglected maritime defense and the construction of a navy.
2. Kanhoji Angre emerged in the early 18th century as a formidable Maratha naval commander who successfully challenged European maritime dominance on the western coast.
3. The Maratha navy was instrumental in checking the piracy of the Siddis of Janjira and protecting vital coastal trade routes.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 2 and 3 are correct. Kanhoji Angre was a legendary admiral, and the navy countered the Siddis. Statement 1 is incorrect; Shivaji is often hailed as the 'Father of the Indian Navy' for explicitly recognizing the strategic importance of coastal defense and actively building a formidable naval fleet.
Consider the following statements regarding Shivaji's coronation:
1. Shivaji was crowned as the Chhatrapati by a local, unknown Maratha priest at Pune in the year 1665 immediately after the Treaty of Purandar.
2. During his elaborate coronation, he formally assumed the titles of 'Haindava Dharmoddharak' (Protector of the Hindu Faith) and 'Kshatriya Kulavantas'.
3. The coronation officially elevated his political status from a rebellious Mughal zamindar to an independent, sovereign monarch recognized by contemporary law.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 2 and 3 are correct. The coronation formalized his sovereign status and titles. Statement 1 is incorrect; Shivaji was crowned in 1674 (not 1665) at the fort of Raigad (not Pune) by Gaga Bhatt, a renowned orthodox Brahmin from Varanasi.
Consider the following statements regarding the early Maratha conflict with the Mughal Empire:
1. Demonstrating immense military power, Shivaji successfully captured Delhi and established his administrative control over the Mughal capital for three years.
2. Shivaji's daring night attack on the Mughal general Shaista Khan in Pune severely damaged Mughal prestige and morale in the Deccan.
3. In 1664, Shivaji sacked the wealthy Mughal port city of Surat to replenish his treasury and disrupt Imperial commerce.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 2 and 3 are correct. The raid on Shaista Khan and the sack of Surat were major early blows to Mughal authority. Statement 1 is incorrect; Shivaji never captured or ruled Delhi. His conflict with the Mughals was primarily restricted to the Deccan and Gujarat.
Consider the following statements regarding the internal dynamics of the Maratha Confederacy in the late 18th century:
1. The intense, bloody internal rivalry between the Scindias and Holkars culminated in the Battle of Poona in 1802, significantly weakening the Maratha Confederacy.
2. Mahadji Scindia established a formidable, modernized army equipped with artillery, trained by European officers like Benoît de Boigne.
3. Mahadji Scindia and Yashwantrao Holkar formed a permanent, unbroken alliance that successfully drove all British influence out of North India.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Scindia's modernized forces and the bitter Scindia-Holkar rivalry defined the late 18th century. Statement 3 is incorrect; the Scindias and Holkars were intense rivals vying for paramountcy, completely failing to maintain a unified front against the British.
Consider the following statements regarding the Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803-1805):
1. It was precipitated by Peshwa Baji Rao II seeking British protection and signing the Treaty of Bassein, formally accepting the Subsidiary Alliance.
2. Powerful Maratha chiefs, specifically the Bhonsle of Nagpur and the Scindia of Gwalior, refused to accept the treaty, leading to open war.
3. The British forces, led by Arthur Wellesley and Lord Lake, decisively defeated the Maratha armies, acquiring vast territories including the Ganga-Yamuna Doab.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: All three statements correctly detail the causes (Treaty of Bassein), the factions involved (Scindia and Bhonsle's resistance), and the territorial outcome of the Second Anglo-Maratha War.
Consider the following statements regarding the civil administration of the Peshwas:
1. The 'Huzur Daftar' situated in Pune was the central administrative secretariat that maintained voluminous records of the Maratha state.
2. The Kamavisdar and the Mamlatdar were the principal representatives of the Peshwa in the districts, tasked with revenue collection and local governance.
3. The day-to-day administration of Maratha villages was entirely managed by British Residents appointed under the subsidiary alliance system prior to 1802.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct descriptions of the centralized secretariat and provincial officers. Statement 3 is incorrect; village administration remained highly autonomous under the traditional Patil and Panchayat systems. British Residents did not manage internal village affairs, nor was the Subsidiary Alliance accepted before 1802.
Consider the following statements regarding the internal succession conflict following Aurangzeb's death:
1. A bitter civil war erupted between Chhatrapati Shahu and his aunt Tarabai after Shahu was released from long Mughal captivity in 1707.
2. The persistent conflict ultimately fractured the Maratha kingdom into two distinct and rival centers of power: Satara and Kolhapur.
3. Realizing the superior strength of Shahu's forces, Tarabai willingly surrendered all her claims and recognized him as the undisputed sovereign immediately.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Shahu's release was a Mughal ploy that successfully triggered a civil war, splitting the empire into the Satara and Kolhapur branches. Statement 3 is incorrect; Tarabai fiercely resisted Shahu's claims for years, leading to prolonged internal warfare.
Consider the following statements regarding Shivaji's early conquests and treaties:
1. The Treaty of Purandar (1665) was signed between Shivaji and the veteran Rajput general Jai Singh of Amber, acting on behalf of Aurangzeb.
2. Under the severe terms of the Treaty of Purandar, Shivaji surrendered all his forts to the Mughals, retaining none for himself.
3. Shivaji's early acquisition of strategic forts like Torna and Raigad significantly bolstered his autonomous position in the Deccan.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is incorrect; under the Treaty of Purandar (1665), Shivaji agreed to surrender 23 of his forts to the Mughals but was permitted to retain 12 forts along with their adjoining territories.
Consider the following statements regarding the Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817-1818):
1. It marked the final, decisive defeat of the Marathas, resulting in the dissolution of the Maratha Confederacy and the abolition of the Peshwaship.
2. Lord Cornwallis was the British Governor-General who aggressively initiated this war to establish paramountcy over India.
3. Following his surrender, Peshwa Baji Rao II was pensioned off by the British and exiled to Bithur near Kanpur.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct. The war ended the Maratha empire, and the Peshwa was exiled. Statement 2 is incorrect; it was Lord Hastings (Marquess of Hastings), not Lord Cornwallis, who orchestrated the Third Anglo-Maratha War to destroy the Pindaris and establish British paramountcy.
Consider the following statements regarding the revenue system under Shivaji's rule:
1. Shivaji significantly curtailed the Jagirdari system and preferred to pay his officers their salaries in cash.
2. 'Chauth' was a tax levied by the Marathas representing one-tenth of the land revenue, primarily collected from territories within their direct control.
3. The standard unit of measurement for land assessment during his reign was a measuring rod called the 'Kathi'.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Shivaji preferred cash payments to curb the power of feudal lords and used the 'Kathi' for land measurement. Statement 2 is incorrect; 'Chauth' was one-fourth (25%) of the land revenue collected from neighboring external territories to protect them from Maratha raids. 'Sardeshmukhi' was an additional 10% levy.
Consider the following statements regarding the members of the Maratha Confederacy:
1. The Gaekwads established their dynastic rule from Baroda and were integral members of the Confederacy.
2. The Bhonsles were territorially based in Nagpur and frequently engaged in expansionist conflicts toward the eastern coast, including Odisha.
3. The Holkars, established by Malhar Rao Holkar, ruled from Indore and distinguished themselves through their military prowess in Malwa.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: All three statements correctly match the prominent Maratha families with their respective regional centers of power within the Confederacy: Gaekwads in Baroda, Bhonsles in Nagpur, and Holkars in Indore.
Consider the following statements regarding the Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803-1805):
1. It was precipitated by Peshwa Baji Rao II seeking British protection and signing the Treaty of Bassein, formally accepting the Subsidiary Alliance.
2. Powerful Maratha chiefs, specifically the Bhonsle of Nagpur and the Scindia of Gwalior, refused to accept the treaty, leading to open war.
3. The British forces, led by Arthur Wellesley and Lord Lake, decisively defeated the Maratha armies, acquiring vast territories including the Ganga-Yamuna Doab.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: All three statements correctly detail the causes (Treaty of Bassein), the factions involved (Scindia and Bhonsle's resistance), and the territorial outcome of the Second Anglo-Maratha War.
Consider the following statements regarding the Maratha leaders following the death of Shivaji:
1. Sambhaji, Shivaji's eldest son and successor, was captured, tortured, and executed by Aurangzeb in 1689.
2. Rajaram, who succeeded Sambhaji, was forced to flee to the fort of Jinji in the far south to escape the advancing Mughal armies.
3. The Maratha resistance to Mughal expansion entirely collapsed and surrendered following the death of Rajaram in 1700.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Sambhaji's execution and Rajaram's flight to Jinji marked the darkest hours of the Maratha empire. Statement 3 is incorrect; after Rajaram's death, his widow Tarabai took charge and brilliantly led a resurgent Maratha counter-offensive against Aurangzeb.
Consider the following statements regarding important treaties during the Anglo-Maratha conflicts:
1. The Treaty of Salbai (1782) explicitly forced the Marathas to formally recognize Raghunathrao as the legitimate, undisputed Peshwa.
2. The Treaty of Purandar (1776) was an early attempt to establish peace between the British Calcutta Council and the ministerial party at Pune led by Nana Phadnavis.
3. Under the Treaty of Salbai, the British agreed to acknowledge Madhavrao II as the Peshwa and pension off Raghunathrao.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 2 and 3 are correct. The Treaty of Purandar (1776) was an early peace attempt, and Salbai solidified peace by abandoning Raghunathrao. Statement 1 is incorrect; the Treaty of Salbai explicitly rejected Raghunathrao's claims and formally recognized Madhavrao II as the legitimate Peshwa.
Consider the following statements regarding the justice system under the Marathas:
1. The 'Hazir Majlis' functioned as the highest court of appeal in the Maratha empire, often presided over by the Chhatrapati or the Peshwa.
2. To appease the Muslim minority, the Marathas universally adopted the Mughal system of Islamic jurisprudence (Sharia) to govern the civil affairs of all their subjects.
3. At the fundamental village level, the Panchayats traditionally handled civil disputes, delivering verdicts that were legally recognized by the central authority.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct. The Hazir Majlis was the supreme court, and village Panchayats handled local justice. Statement 2 is incorrect; the Marathas relied heavily on traditional Hindu legal texts (Smritis) and local customs for civil affairs, not Islamic jurisprudence.
Consider the following statements regarding the Maratha military administration under Shivaji:
1. The cavalry was formally divided into Bargirs, whose horses and arms were provided by the state, and Silahdars, who brought their own equipment.
2. Forts were the nucleus of Shivaji’s military structure, and each important fort was placed under three officers of equal rank to prevent treachery.
3. The famous 'Mavali' infantry primarily consisted of rugged hill-people from the Western Ghats who formed the highly mobile backbone of his army.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: All three statements are correct. Bargirs and Silahdars formed the cavalry, forts had divided command for security, and the Mavalis were the loyal, indigenous hill-people integral to Shivaji's guerrilla infantry.
Consider the following statements regarding the Third Battle of Panipat (1761):
1. The Maratha forces received decisive military and logistical support from the Rajputs, Sikhs, and Jats against the invading Afghan army.
2. The catastrophic defeat shattered the Maratha ambition of replacing the Mughal Empire as the paramount central power in India.
3. Sadashivrao Bhau and Vishwasrao were prominent Maratha commanders who perished on the battlefield.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 2 and 3 are correct. The battle severely checked Maratha expansion and claimed the lives of key leadership. Statement 1 is incorrect; due to their previous predatory policies, the Marathas were alienated from North Indian powers (Rajputs, Sikhs, Jats) and had to face Ahmad Shah Abdali largely alone.
Consider the following statements regarding Maratha military tactics and evolution:
1. Throughout their history, the Marathas strictly adhered to pitched battles involving massive phalanxes of heavy infantry, consistently avoiding irregular skirmishes.
2. 'Ganimi Kava' was the traditional Maratha tactic of guerrilla warfare, heavily utilizing the rugged terrain of the Sahyadris to outmaneuver larger conventional armies.
3. In the later Peshwa period, under leaders like Mahadji Scindia, the Maratha army increasingly incorporated European-style infantry and heavy artillery into their ranks.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 2 and 3 are correct. Ganimi Kava (guerrilla tactics) defined early Maratha warfare, and they later modernized with European artillery. Statement 1 is incorrect; the Marathas originally relied almost exclusively on highly mobile light cavalry and irregular guerrilla skirmishes, only adopting pitched battles much later in their history.
Consider the following statements regarding the civil administration of the Peshwas:
1. The 'Huzur Daftar' situated in Pune was the central military arsenal where Maratha cannons and gunpowder were heavily manufactured.
2. The Kamavisdar and the Mamlatdar were the principal representatives of the Peshwa in the districts, tasked with revenue collection and local governance.
3. The day-to-day administration of Maratha villages remained highly autonomous and was traditionally managed by the Patil and the village Panchayat.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 2 and 3 are correct descriptions of provincial officers and autonomous village governance. Statement 1 is incorrect; the 'Huzur Daftar' was the central administrative secretariat and massive records office in Pune, not a military arsenal.
Consider the following statements regarding the First Anglo-Maratha War (1775-1782):
1. The primary trigger for the war was the unauthorized British intervention in the Maratha succession dispute between Madhavrao II and Raghunathrao.
2. The war was concluded by the Treaty of Salbai in 1782, which inaugurated a period of mutual peace lasting twenty years.
3. During the course of the war, the British successfully captured and permanently annexed Pune after a decisive victory at Wadgaon.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct. The succession crisis (Treaty of Surat) triggered the war, and the Treaty of Salbai brought peace. Statement 3 is incorrect; the Battle of Wadgaon (1779) was a humiliating defeat for the British, forcing them to sign the dictated Treaty of Wadgaon, and they did not capture Pune.
Consider the following statements regarding Peshwa Madhavrao I:
1. Taking office after the disaster of Panipat, he successfully resurrected Maratha power in northern India within a decade.
2. He was decisively defeated by Hyder Ali of Mysore, leading to the permanent loss of the entire Karnataka region to the Mysore Sultanate.
3. His premature death from tuberculosis in 1772 is often considered by historians as a blow more fatal to the Maratha Empire than the defeat at Panipat.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Madhavrao I orchestrated the 'Maratha Resurrection' and his early death caused a devastating succession crisis. Statement 2 is incorrect; he repeatedly and decisively defeated Hyder Ali, successfully checking Mysore's expansion.
Consider the following statements regarding Shivaji's coronation:
1. Shivaji was crowned in 1674 at the fort of Raigad by Gaga Bhatt, a renowned orthodox Brahmin from Varanasi.
2. During his elaborate coronation, he formally assumed the titles of 'Haindava Dharmoddharak' (Protector of the Hindu Faith) and 'Kshatriya Kulavantas'.
3. The coronation was officially sanctioned and funded by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb as a strategic gesture of peace.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct. The coronation formalized his sovereign status and titles. Statement 3 is incorrect; the coronation was a profound declaration of independence in direct defiance of the Mughal Empire and was certainly not sanctioned or funded by Aurangzeb.
Consider the following statements regarding the prominent women in Maratha history:
1. Jijabai, Shivaji's mother, played a profoundly influential role in shaping his character, religious devotion, and early political vision.
2. Ahilyabai Holkar was primarily known for her aggressive military conquests that expanded the Holkar territory to its greatest imperial extent across North India.
3. Tarabai heroically and effectively directed the Maratha war of independence against the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb from 1700 to 1707.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Jijabai was the inspirational force behind Shivaji, and Tarabai saved the empire post-1700. Statement 2 is incorrect; Ahilyabai Holkar is revered for her peaceful, highly efficient administration, her vast philanthropic building of temples and ghats across India, rather than aggressive military conquests.
Consider the following statements regarding the prominent women in Maratha history:
1. Jijabai, Shivaji's mother, played a profoundly influential role in shaping his character, religious devotion, and early political vision.
2. Ahilyabai Holkar is revered for her peaceful, highly efficient administration and her vast philanthropic building of temples and ghats across India.
3. Tarabai heroically and effectively directed the Maratha war of independence against the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb from 1700 to 1707.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: All three statements are correct. Jijabai provided the inspirational foundation for Shivaji, Ahilyabai Holkar is celebrated for her golden era of administration and philanthropy, and Tarabai saved the empire by leading the resistance post-1700.
Consider the following statements regarding the socio-religious dynamics during the Maratha period:
1. Shivaji's administration was highly tolerant, employing Muslims in his navy and artillery while protecting places of worship during campaigns.
2. The Bhakti movement in Maharashtra strictly reinforced the rigid caste system, providing an orthodox ideological backbone to Maratha nationalism.
3. The Maratha rulers frequently exhibited religious tolerance by providing state land grants (Inams) to religious institutions across different faiths.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct regarding Shivaji's inclusive military and administrative policies. Statement 2 is incorrect; the Bhakti movement (saints like Tukaram and Ramdas) was highly egalitarian, challenging caste rigidities and fostering a unified socio-cultural identity for Maratha nationalism.
Consider the following statements regarding Maratha military tactics and evolution:
1. Throughout their history, the Marathas strictly adhered to pitched battles involving massive phalanxes of heavy infantry, consistently avoiding irregular skirmishes.
2. 'Ganimi Kava' was the traditional Maratha tactic of guerrilla warfare, heavily utilizing the rugged terrain of the Sahyadris to outmaneuver larger conventional armies.
3. In the later Peshwa period, under leaders like Mahadji Scindia, the Maratha army increasingly incorporated European-style infantry and heavy artillery into their ranks.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 2 and 3 are correct. Ganimi Kava (guerrilla tactics) defined early Maratha warfare, and they later modernized with European artillery. Statement 1 is incorrect; the Marathas originally relied almost exclusively on highly mobile light cavalry and irregular guerrilla skirmishes, only adopting pitched battles much later in their history.
Consider the following statements regarding the Maratha leaders following the death of Shivaji:
1. Sambhaji, Shivaji's eldest son and successor, was captured, tortured, and executed by Aurangzeb in 1689.
2. Rajaram, who succeeded Sambhaji, was forced to flee to the fort of Jinji in the far south to escape the advancing Mughal armies.
3. After Rajaram's death, his widow Tarabai took charge and brilliantly led a resurgent Maratha counter-offensive against Aurangzeb.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: All three statements correctly trace the dire sequence of events and the resilience of the Maratha leadership (Sambhaji, Rajaram, and Tarabai) during the grueling 27-year Mughal-Maratha war.
Consider the following statements regarding the Maratha administrative terminology:
1. Deshmukhs and Deshpandes were the traditional, powerful district-level hereditary revenue officials in the Deccan.
2. A central pillar of Shivaji's administrative policy was to deliberately curtail the independent powers of the hereditary Deshmukhs to strengthen his centralized state.
3. The 'Saranjam' system referred to the practice of granting land to Maratha chiefs and military commanders for the maintenance of troops, functioning similarly to the Mughal Jagirdari system.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: All three statements correctly define the roles of traditional revenue officials, Shivaji's centralization efforts against them, and the military land-grant system known as Saranjam.
Consider the following statements regarding important treaties during the Anglo-Maratha conflicts:
1. The Treaty of Purandar (1776) was an attempt to establish peace between the British Calcutta Council and the ministerial party at Pune led by Nana Phadnavis.
2. The Treaty of Salbai (1782) explicitly forced the Marathas to formally recognize Raghunathrao as the legitimate, undisputed Peshwa.
3. Under the Treaty of Salbai, the British agreed to acknowledge Madhavrao II as the Peshwa and agreed to pension off Raghunathrao.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct. The Treaty of Purandar (1776) was an early peace attempt, and Salbai solidified peace by abandoning Raghunathrao. Statement 2 is incorrect; the Treaty of Salbai explicitly rejected Raghunathrao's claims and recognized Madhavrao II as the legitimate Peshwa.
Consider the following statements regarding the Revenue Policy under the later Peshwas:
1. The Peshwas completely abolished the revenue farming system (Kamavis) to strictly protect the peasantry from any form of extortion.
2. Agricultural lands were systematically assessed based on soil fertility, and state remissions were occasionally granted during times of famine or natural calamities.
3. The Peshwas maintained significant transit duties and customs (Zakat or Mohturfa) as major sources of state revenue, heavily regulating internal trade.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 2 and 3 are correct. Land was assessed on fertility, and transit taxes were a major revenue source. Statement 1 is incorrect; the later Peshwas increasingly relied on the revenue farming system (Kamavis), auctioning tax collection to the highest bidder, which often led to peasant exploitation.
Consider the following statements regarding the First Anglo-Maratha War (1775-1782):
1. The primary trigger for the war was the unauthorized British intervention in the Maratha succession dispute between Madhavrao II and Raghunathrao.
2. The war was concluded by the Treaty of Bassein in 1782, which inaugurated a period of mutual peace lasting twenty years.
3. During the course of the war, the British suffered a humiliating defeat at the Battle of Wadgaon, leading to the dictated Treaty of Wadgaon.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct. The succession crisis triggered the war, and Wadgaon was a major British defeat. Statement 2 is incorrect; the war was concluded by the Treaty of Salbai (1782), not the Treaty of Bassein (which occurred later in 1802).
Consider the following statements regarding the internal succession conflict following Aurangzeb's death:
1. A bitter civil war erupted between Chhatrapati Shahu and his aunt Tarabai after Shahu was released from long Mughal captivity in 1707.
2. The persistent conflict ultimately fractured the Maratha kingdom into two distinct and rival centers of power: Satara and Kolhapur.
3. Realizing the superior strength of Shahu's forces, Tarabai willingly surrendered all her claims and recognized him as the undisputed sovereign immediately.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Shahu's release was a Mughal ploy that successfully triggered a civil war, splitting the empire into the Satara and Kolhapur branches. Statement 3 is incorrect; Tarabai fiercely resisted Shahu's claims for years, leading to prolonged internal warfare.
Consider the following statements regarding the administration of Shivaji (Ashtapradhan):
1. The Peshwa was the supreme political and religious authority, positioned above the Chhatrapati in the administrative hierarchy.
2. The Amatya or Majumdar was the finance minister, responsible for the accounts and income of the state.
3. The Nyayadhish (Chief Justice) and Panditarao (High Priest) were generally exempted from commanding armies in battles.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 2 and 3 are correct. The Amatya handled finances, and the Nyayadhish and Panditarao were the only two ministers in the Ashtapradhan not required to lead military expeditions. Statement 1 is incorrect; under Shivaji, the Chhatrapati was the absolute sovereign, and the Peshwa (Prime Minister) was subordinate to him.
Consider the following statements regarding the stipulations of the Treaty of Bassein (1802):
1. It mandated the Peshwa to station a permanent British subsidiary force within his territories at his own expense.
2. Under the treaty, the British agreed to dissolve their army and pay an annual tribute of 26 lakh rupees to the Peshwa.
3. The Peshwa explicitly agreed not to employ any European national hostile to the British without the Company's prior consent.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct. The treaty forced a British subsidiary force onto the Peshwa and restricted his foreign employment. Statement 2 is incorrect; it was the Peshwa who had to surrender territories yielding 26 lakh rupees to the British to maintain the subsidiary force, not the other way around.
Consider the following statements regarding the role of Nana Phadnavis:
1. Following the murder of Peshwa Narayanrao, he formed the 'Barbhai Council' (Council of Twelve) to protect the infant Peshwa Madhavrao II and administer the state.
2. He successfully orchestrated a formidable quadruple alliance involving the Marathas, the Nizam, Mysore, and the French against the British around 1780.
3. His assassination in 1780 immediately triggered the dissolution of the Maratha Confederacy and the rapid British annexation of Pune.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 correctly highlight the strategic and diplomatic brilliance of Nana Phadnavis. Statement 3 is incorrect; Nana Phadnavis was not assassinated in 1780; he died a natural death much later in 1800, an event that effectively removed the last unifying statesman of the Confederacy.
Consider the following statements regarding the socio-economic structure of Maratha villages:
1. The Patil was the most important village official, possessing hereditary rights and responsible for revenue collection and maintaining law and order.
2. The Kulkarni was the traditional village accountant who assisted the Patil by keeping detailed land and tax records.
3. The Balutedari system involved various village artisans and professionals providing essential services to the agrarian community in exchange for a customary share of the harvest.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: All three statements correctly describe the self-sufficient structure of Maratha village administration, centered around the Patil (headman), Kulkarni (accountant), and the Balutedars (artisans).
Consider the following statements regarding the socio-religious dynamics during the Maratha period:
1. Shivaji's state was an orthodox theocracy that systematically persecuted non-Hindus and destroyed Islamic places of worship.
2. The Bhakti movement in Maharashtra, championed by saints like Tukaram and Ramdas, provided a profound ideological and egalitarian backdrop to Maratha nationalism.
3. The Maratha rulers frequently exhibited religious tolerance by providing state land grants (Inams) to religious institutions across different faiths.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 2 and 3 are correct. The Bhakti saints inspired unity, and Shivaji and the Peshwas patronized various religious institutions. Statement 1 is incorrect; Shivaji's administration was highly tolerant. He employed Muslims in his army (especially his navy and artillery) and actively protected mosques and the Quran during military campaigns.
Consider the following statements regarding the Revenue Policy under the later Peshwas:
1. The revenue farming system (Kamavis), where tax collection was auctioned to the highest bidder, became increasingly prominent, leading to peasant exploitation.
2. Agricultural lands were systematically assessed based on soil fertility, and state remissions were occasionally granted during times of famine or natural calamities.
3. The Peshwas completely abolished all forms of custom duties and transit taxes (Zakat) to encourage unimpeded free trade with the British East India Company.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Revenue farming became widespread, and assessment incorporated soil quality. Statement 3 is incorrect; the Peshwas maintained significant transit duties and customs (Zakat/Mohturfa) as major sources of state revenue, heavily regulating trade rather than allowing duty-free British access.
Consider the following statements regarding the socio-economic structure of Maratha villages:
1. The Patil was the most important village official, possessing hereditary rights and responsible for revenue collection and maintaining law and order.
2. The Kulkarni was the supreme judicial magistrate who heard all capital punishment cases in the village.
3. The Balutedari system involved various village artisans and professionals providing essential services to the agrarian community in exchange for a customary share of the harvest.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct. The Patil and the Balutedari system were core to village life. Statement 2 is incorrect; the Kulkarni was merely the traditional village accountant who assisted the Patil with land and tax records, not a supreme judicial magistrate.
Consider the following statements regarding the justice system under the Marathas:
1. To appease the Muslim minority, the Marathas universally adopted the Mughal system of Islamic jurisprudence (Sharia) to govern the civil affairs of all their subjects.
2. The 'Hazir Majlis' functioned as the highest court of appeal in the Maratha empire, often presided over by the Chhatrapati or the Peshwa.
3. At the fundamental village level, the Panchayats traditionally handled civil disputes, delivering verdicts that were legally recognized by the central authority.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- All three
Explanation: Statements 2 and 3 are correct. The Hazir Majlis was the supreme court, and village Panchayats handled local justice. Statement 1 is incorrect; the Marathas relied heavily on traditional Hindu legal texts (Smritis) and local customs for civil affairs, not Islamic jurisprudence.