Anglo-Maratha wars and the decline of Maratha power
In the late 18th century, a resilient Marathi confederacy—built by the Peshwas, the Holkars, Scindias and others—stood as a regional counterweight to imperial power. The Anglo-Maratha wars were not mere border skirmishes; they exposed a shifting balance of power and the fragility of a polity that had once pushed back Mughal revival. For UPSC/MPSC aspirants, these wars offer a compact laboratory to study how military might, strategic diplomacy, and internal dissension together determine the fate of a great regional power.
These wars loom large in the examination because they illuminate why regional powers declined under the pressure of expanding colonial power. Questions on the erosion of Maratha authority test your grasp of war-weariness, revenue strain, succession disputes, and diplomatic realignments—subjects frequently asked in prelims and mains. A chronological grasp—from the First Anglo-Maratha War (1775-82) to the Fourth (1817-18)—helps explain how the British gradually secured political and territorial supremacy while the confederacy splintered under internal and external stress.
Relation to syllabus: In the UPSC/MPSC syllabus, this topic sits squarely within Modern Indian History—especially the Company era and the consolidation of British power—offering a lens to assess causation, consequence, and reforms. It primes you for 10- and 20-mark questions on governance, diplomacy, and imperial policy, and invites comparative analysis with other regional declines. Mastery here builds a cohesive narrative about the birth of British paramountcy and the end of Maratha political unity.
Key Concepts and Syllabus Coverage
Maratha Confederacy: Structure and Decline
The Marathas formed a loose confederacy under a Peshwa-led state, with prominent kodi of Holkars, Scindias, Gaekwads, and Bhonsales. By the late 18th century internal rivalries, court intrigues, heavy debts, and administrative dilution weakened central authority. The death of Shahu and succession disputes further fragmented unity, making the confederacy vulnerable to external manipulation and British diplomacy.
Anglo-Maratha War Chronology
First Anglo-Maratha War (1775–82) ended with the Treaty of Saligao? (Salbai) establishing a fragile balance. Second War (1803–05) culminated in the Surji-Anjangaon treaty, shifting gains to the British. The Third War (1817–18) decisively ended Maratha political power and dissolved the confederacy; remaining Maratha chiefs lost autonomy through British dominance and subsidiary arrangements. These wars redistributed power in western and central India and marked the consolidation of British hegemony.
British Strategy and Policy
The British exploited interdistrict rivalries, formed temporary alliances, and used the Subsidiary Alliance framework to bind key Maratha chiefs. They modernized forces under their supervision, reoriented revenue systems, and leveraged diplomatic isolations of rival leaders. The policy culminated in dismemberment of the confederacy and incorporation of substantial territories into British-administered domains, altering the regional balance of power.
Decline: Consequences and Legacy
The end of Marathas opened the Deccan to sustained British control, reshaped regional governance, and spurred administrative reforms that laid the groundwork for the Bombay Presidency. Historiography debates emphasize internal weaknesses versus external manipulation; the decline profoundly influenced later Maharashtra nationalism and the narrative of imperial consolidation in Indian political history.
Syllabus relevance for UPSC Prelims and Mains:
– Prelims: dates, war names, key treaties, rulers, and territorial changes; identify major leaders and phases.
– Mains: analysis of causes, strategies, impact on Indian polity and state formation, and historiographical debates.
MPSC exam specific points:
– Focus on Maratha confederacy structure, key chiefs, and consequences for Maharashtra; familiarity with Anglo-Maratha wars, treaty outcomes, and administrative shifts.
Previous year questions trends:
– UPSC prelims emphasize dates, sequences, and treaties; mains focus on causes, strategic choices, and their imprint on colonial governance; recurring demand to assess decline mechanisms and long-term impact.
Study Strategy and Preparation Tips
– Effective study methods:
– Build a clear chronology and cause-effect maps (Marathas, Peshwas, Holkars, Scindias, and British). Create a one-page timeline and add notes on major battles, treaties, and shifts in power.
– Practice active reading: annotate, summarize each section, and form 2-3 sentence conclusions for mains-style answers.
– Use comparative charts to link Anglo-Maratha wars with Mughal decline and British policy shifts; incorporate maps to visualise territorial changes.
– Combine reading with writing: draft short answers and 250-word essays to improve coherence and flow; finish with 10–15 MCQs to consolidate memory.
– Recommended books and resources:
– James Grant Duff, History of the Marathas (classic secondary source).
– Jadunath Sarkar, History of the Marathas (comprehensive scholarly work).
– Satish Chandra, Medieval India; Bipin Chandra, Modern India (context and transitions affecting the Marathas).
– NCERT (Modern India, and select chapters on the Marathas) for core framework.
– UPSC/MPSC previous-year question papers and answer keys; ensure cross-referencing with reliable online summaries and maps.
– Time management strategies:
– Dedicate 2–3 focused study sessions daily; 60–75 minutes per session with 5–10 minute breaks.
– Weekly revision slot (6–8 topics) and a monthly test to track progress.
– Maintain micro-goals: 3-4 pages of notes, 1 map/timeline update, 1 practice essay per week.
– Preparation timeline (8 weeks):
– Weeks 1–2: Establish chronology; read NCERT framework; start Duff intro and overview.
– Weeks 3–4: Deep-dive into the Anglo-Maratha wars, key generals, battles, and outcomes.
– Weeks 5–6: Study causes and mechanics of the Marathas’ decline; integration with broader imperial context.
– Week 7: Synthesize with timelines, maps, compare with Mughal decline; begin essay practice.
– Week 8: Revision, practice questions, and final consolidation; focus on weak areas and quick-recall flashcards.
Practice Questions and Assessment
– Sample MCQs with explanations
1) Which factor chiefly contributed to the decline of Maratha power after 1761?
A) Third Battle of Panipat alone
B) Internal dissensions within the confederacy and growing British influence
C) Re-emergence of Mughal authority in Delhi
D) Economic reforms of the Peshwas
Answer: B
Explanation: Panipat was a setback, but internal rivalries (Holkars, Scindias, Bhonsles) and British expansion fractured unity.
2) The Treaty of Salbai (1782) resulted in:
A) Permanent peace with the British
B) An inter-state settlement lasting about 20 years
C) Loss of Poona to the Marathas
D) Alliance against Mysore
Answer: B
Explanation: It stabilized the frontier and kept Marathas and British on reconciled terms for two decades.
3) The Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817–1818) ended with:
A) Restoration of the Peshwa’s authority
B) British victory and a dismantling of Maratha power
C) Marathas gaining control of Bombay Presidency
D) Status quo ante bellum
Answer: B
Explanation: Peshwa Bajirao II was deposed; Maratha states came under British suzerainty.
4) The decline of Maratha power is best explained by:
A) External pressure alone
B) Internal fragmentation plus external expansion
C) Mughal resurgence
D) Economic stagnation
Answer: B
Explanation: Both internal factionalism and British imperial advance were decisive.
– Previous year question analysis (brief)
Common themes: causes of decline (confederacy fragmentation, internal rivalries), key events (Panipat, Salbai, 1817–18 war), and the shift from confederacy to British suzerainty; emphasis often on chronology and causes rather than mere events.
– Mock test recommendations
– 2 full-length practice tests, plus 2 topic-wise micro-tests.
– Include a map/chronology section; time-bound 3 hours per test.
– Review with emphasis on cause-effect and interlinkages with Indian polities.
– Answer writing practice tips for mains
– Use a clear structure: preface with direct answer, then chronological/causal analysis, followed by evaluation.
– Include dates, key battles, treaties, and their consequences; compare with contemporaries.
– Conclude with significance for later British expansion.
– 200-250 words total.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the major Anglo-Maratha wars and their outcomes?
First War (1775–82) ended with the Treaty of Salbai (1782), preserving balance and allowing the Marathas to continue as a confederacy under British influence. The Second War (1803–05) ended in British victory; the Treaty of Bassein (1802) had already eroded Maratha sovereignty and tied them closer to Britain. The Third War (1817–18) shattered the Maratha Confederacy; Pune fell, Baji Rao II capitulated, and large territories were annexed, establishing British paramountcy over central and western India.
What internal factors contributed to the decline of Maratha power?
Decline sprang from internal factionalism among the Peshwa, Scindias, Holkars, and Bhonsles; leadership gaps after Mahadji Shinde; heavy wartime financial strain and overextension; and weak centralized coordination. These fissures undermined unity against the rising British power.
How did British strategy influence the decline of Maratha power?
The British used divide‑and‑rule tactics, formed selective alliances with certain chiefs, and imposed subsidiary treaties (notably Bassein) with a permanent resident at Pune. A disciplined, professional force exploited Maratha disunity to erode sovereignty gradually.
Why did the Third Anglo-Maratha War happen and what was its outcome?
After 1815, Peshwa leadership resisted British advance; the 1817–18 war ended in decisive defeat for the Marathas. Pune was captured, the Confederacy dissolved, and most territories were annexed, cementing British paramountcy.
What was the significance of the Treaty of Salbai?
Salbai established a long peace, allowed reorganization of forces, and maintained a workable balance among Marathas and the Company. It delayed outright collapse but enabled future British leverage.
What is the lasting legacy of these wars for Indian polity?
They ended Maratha political sovereignty and created British paramountcy in Deccan and central India, reshaping the subcontinent’s power map and laying the groundwork for formal colonial administration.
Conclusion and Success Tips
The Anglo-Maratha wars reshaped 18th–early 19th century India, signaling the decline of Maratha power and the rise of British influence in the Deccan. For preparation, grasp the chronology of major wars, the internal factors (factionalism, revenue squeeze, succession crises), and the external cues (British diplomacy, decisive treaties like Salbai 1782) and turning points (major battles, Third Anglo-Maratha War). Know the key actors—Peshwas and confederate chiefs—and the administrative shifts that followed.
Final exam tips: write clear, tightly structured answers; weave causes, events, and consequences; use maps/timelines; practice 10- and 15-mark questions from previous years; manage time effectively; revise with short notes.
Motivation and call to action: stay focused, resilient, and curious; deepen study with standard histories and NCERT references; keep practicing questions and join a test series for feedback.