The Marathas

2020-04-27 14:59 :34

The Marathas
Anglo Maratha Wars

Bajirao I greatest of the Peshwas (1720-40)

Maratha families which emerged prominent were

Gaekwad of Baroda
Bhonsle of Nagpur,
Holkars of Indore,
Sindhias of Gwalior,
Peshwas of Poona
Cotton trade form Bombay, Gujarat weary bout Marathas

Anglo Maratha Wars

2020-04-27 14:59:46

First Anglo-Maratha War ( 1775-82 )

WH eyed ports of Salsette and Bassein and hoped for political ascendancy at Poona.
Raghunathrao killed nephew Narayanrao for Peshwaship and Signed treaty w/ Br at Bombay - To Surat in 1775 where English gave 2,500 soldiers
He Ceded territories of Salsette, Bassein and revenue rights of Surat, Bharuch. WH wanted to set up a Dual System in Poona the same as in Bengal.
Executive Council condemned the war as impolitic, unjust and unauthorised and sent Col Upton to annul To Surat new Treaty of Purandhar was signed
American War of Independence and arrival of French at Poona alarmed WH and he ordered seizing all FR settlements in India and also sent force to Bombay war ensued.
Marathas used Scorched Earth -> sign humiliating English defeat To Wadgaon - 1779 lost their territories gained since 1775 by To Purandhar

Provisions of To Wadgaon Were :

Salsette be with English

Territory conquered since To Purandhar (1776) restored to Marathas

In Gujarat, Fateh Singh Gaekwad remain in possession of territory

English should not offer support to Raghunathrao

Haidar Ali return all territory taken from English and Nawab of Arcot

English enjoy privileges at trade as before

Peshwa should not support other Eu nations

Warren Hastings rejected To Wadgaon, defeated Sindhias at Sipri
1781 BR defeated Sindhias and captured Gwalior who acted as mediator and Treaty of Salbai (1782) ended the war - inconclusive -> Maratha-Eng friendship

Second Anglo Maratha War (1803-1805) :

Treaty of Bassein : Bajirao II signed treaty w/ English at Bassein against Jaswanthrao Holkar
- Bajirao II to receive troops from EIC
- Marathas to cede territories worth Rs 26 lakh to EIC
- Surrender Surat
- give claims for chauth on Nizam’s dominions
- Accept EIC arbitration b/w him and Nizam or Gaekwad
- not to keep in his employment Europeans of any nation at war with English
- English control foreign relations
- Bajirao II reduced to Vassal
Marathas were defeated
Bhonsale signed T/o Devgaon
Sindhias - T/o Surajianjangaon and
Holkar - T/o Rajpurghat
It “gave the English the key to India”.

![[Pasted image 20230119121425.png |JF Richards]]

Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817-19)

Peshwa attacked BR at Poona on 5th Nov 1817 who repulsed and defeated Peshwa army at Khirki and then again at Koregaon and Ashta.
Appa Sahib of Nagpur/Bhonsale’s attacked the residency there, and Holkars made preparations for war.
Bhonsle were defeated at Sitabuldi signed the T/o Gwalior, and Holkar at Mahidpur signed the T/o Mandsaur .

Disintegration of Maratha’s Reasons

#todo
Inept Leadership : M were despotic dependent on personality and character of head of state. No settled constitution. BR II was criminal in character, BR I himself went to sign Treaty of Bassein accepting subsidiary alliance. Daulat Rao Sindhia was not worthy successor to Mahadji Sindhia.

Inherent defects of Maratha State :

Absence of stable economic policy : After war w/ Aurangzeb M peasants took up arms. State mostly depended on plunder for revenue viz Chauth and Sardeshmukhi. Civil war among leaders and Famine in 1804 took heavy toll on life. Leaders had to mortgage territories to bankers. There was no foreig trade or industry War became their National Industry
Weakness of Political Set-up : Was a loose confederation. First the Peshwa usurped the power of Chattrapati then Subordinate War Lords did the same w/ Peshwa. They set up semi independent kingdom. Irreconciliable hostility b/w them viz Sindhias and Bhosles was detrimental. Mutual Jealousies among them was common.
Inferior Military System : In Organisation, war weapons, discipline, effective leadership. Centrifugal tendencies -> frequent treacheries. Motives of M soldiers were no higher than personal interest. Neglect of Cavalry affected mobility.

Superior English Diplomacy : Before wars EIC wanted to win allies and isolate enemies diplomatically. Ex in 2nd Anglo Maratha war English won over Gaekwad, Peshwa and other Maratha Jagirdars.
Superior English Espionage :

Progressive Outlook of the English : Indian still wedded to old dogmas and notions. Very little care given for scientific inventions, oceanic voyages or acquisition of colonies. Marathas cared more about religious merit ang distribution of gifts to Brahmins. Entire IN outlook was medieval

PYQs

“The Treaty of Bassein, 1802 was‚ a step which changed the footing on which we, the English stood in western India. It trebled the English responsibilities in an instant.” Comment. [1983, 20m]

Bajirao II
signed a treaty with the English at Bassein
against Jaswanthrao

You are correct, my apologies for the mistake. The Treaty of Bassein was actually signed by Bajirao II, the last Maratha Peshwa. The treaty was signed on December 31, 1802, and under its terms, the British East India Company recognized Bajirao II as the ruler of the Maratha territories in western India and promised to provide him with military and financial assistance in return for certain concessions against the Holkars. The treaty marked a significant shift in the balance of power between the British East India Company and the Maratha Empire and increased the company’s responsibilities in western India.

The British responsibilities in India increased, as they now had to manage a much larger area and population. This was a major challenge for the British, as they had to manage a complex and diverse region with different political and cultural dynamics. The treaty also had a significant impact on the economy of the region, as the British now had access to a much larger market and resources. Overall, the Treaty of Bassein in 1802 was a major turning point in the history of British India, as it marked the beginning of British dominance in the region.

Trace the course of the Anglo-Maratha relations in the first two decades of the nineteenth century. Account for the ultimate defeat of the Maratha power by the British. [1984, 60m]

Second Anglo Maratha War (1803-1805) : onwards

The Anglo-Maratha relations in the first two decades of the nineteenth century were largely characterized by conflict and war. After the death of the Peshwa Baji Rao II in 1818, the Maratha Confederacy was weakened and the British saw an opportunity to expand their influence in the region. In 1818, the British signed the Treaty of Poona with the Marathas, which allowed the British to station troops in the Maratha territories and to collect taxes from certain areas. This treaty was seen as a betrayal by some of the Maratha leaders and led to the First Anglo-Maratha War (1817-1818).

The British were victorious in this war and, in 1819, the Treaty of Nagpur was signed, which ceded large portions of Maratha territory to the British. This treaty further weakened the Maratha Confederacy and led to the Second Anglo-Maratha War (1817-1818). During this war, the Marathas were able to put up a strong resistance, but ultimately they were defeated by the British.

The ultimate defeat of the Maratha power by the British was largely due to the superior military and technological capabilities of the British as well as the disunity among the Maratha leaders. The Marathas were also unable to match the British in terms of resources and manpower. Furthermore, the British were able to exploit the internal divisions within the Maratha Confederacy and use them to their advantage.

“Upon the whole, then, I conclude that the treaty of Bassein was wise, just and a politic measure.” Comment. [1986, 20m]

Bajirao II signed a treaty with the English at Bassein
against Jaswanthrao

The statement you provided is a subjective opinion and whether the treaty of Bassein was wise, just and politic measure depends on the perspective from which it is viewed.

From the perspective of the British East India Company, the treaty of Bassein was likely seen as a wise, just and politic measure. The treaty allowed the company to gain recognition as the dominant power in western India, as well as gain control over certain territories and rights. Additionally, the company’s financial and military assistance to the Maratha Empire, in return for these concessions, would have been seen as a way to secure its interests in the region.

However, from the perspective of the Maratha Empire, the treaty of Bassein may not have been seen as a wise, just and politic measure. The treaty marked the end of Maratha’s dominance in Western India and ceded territories and rights to the British East India Company. Additionally, Maratha Empire had to rely on the company’s military and financial assistance, which may have been seen as a loss of sovereignty.

Some historians view the treaty as a significant victory for the British East India Company. For example, historian J.F. Richards writes in his book “The New Cambridge History of India: The British Empire in India” that the treaty “gave the Company control over the western littoral and access to the hinterland of Gujarat and Malwa.” He also notes that it “also established the Company as the paramount power in western India.”

Similarly, historian P.J. Marshall in his book “The Cambridge Illustrated History of the British Empire” writes that the treaty “gave the East India Company control over the western littoral and access to the hinterland of Gujarat and Malwa, as well as over the islands of Salsette and Elephanta.” He also notes that the treaty “established the Company as the paramount power in western India.”

On the other hand, some historians view the treaty as a significant defeat for the Maratha Empire. For example, historian John Keay in his book “India: A History” writes that the treaty “marked the end of Maratha pretensions to paramountcy in western India.” He also notes that the treaty “ceded to the British the islands of Salsette and Elephanta and established the East India Company as the paramount power in the region.”

In the same line, historian Rosie Llewellyn-Jones in her book “The Marathas 1600-1818” writes that the treaty “marked the end of Maratha pretensions to paramountcy in western India.” She also notes that the treaty “ceded the islands of Salsette and Elephanta to the British and established the East India Company as the paramount power in the region.”

”……. the hunt of the Pindaris became merged in the Third Maratha War.” Comment. [1989, 20m]

Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817-19)
: role of Pindaris need to be analysed

The British East India Company took a number of steps to curb the threat of the Pindaris in India. One of the main steps was to launch military campaigns against them. The British also sought to negotiate with the Pindari leaders and offered them financial incentives to disband their bands and return to a peaceful life.

The British official who played a key role in the process of curbing the Pindari threat was Governor-General Lord Hastings. He was the one who initiated the military campaigns against the Pindaris and also sought to negotiate with their leaders. Under his direction, British officers such as Major-General John Malcolm, Major-General Sir William Henry Sleeman and Major-General James Willoughby Gordon were appointed to lead the campaigns against the Pindaris.

Some of the important battles against the Pindaris include:

The Battle of Kirkee in 1817, which was fought between the British East India Company and the Pindari leader, Amir Khan. The British emerged victorious and Amir Khan was forced to negotiate a treaty with the British.
The Battle of Asirgarh in 1818, which was fought between the British East India Company and the Pindari leader, Daulat Rao Scindia. The British emerged victorious and Daulat Rao Scindia was forced to negotiate a treaty with the British.
The Battle of Mahidpur in 1818, which was fought between the British East India Company and the Pindari leader, Sindhia. The British emerged victorious and Sindhia was forced to negotiate a treaty with the British.

“Anglo-Maratha War covering nearly nine years from the murder of Narayan Rao to the Treaty of Salbai emphatically discloses the vitality of the Maratha nation which had not been exhausted either by the disaster of Panipat or the death of their great Peshwa Madhavrao.” Comment. [1991, 20m]

Raghunathrao wanted to become peshwa killed his nephew
Narayanrao.

“The treaty of Bassein, by its direct and indirect operations, gave the Company the Empire of India.” Comment. [1993, 20m]

Bajirao II
signed a treaty with the English at Bassein
against Jaswanthrao

How did the British establish their control over Maharashtra in the first two decades of the 19th century? Why did the Maratha challenge ultimately collapse? [1994, 60m]

Second Anglo Maratha War (1803-1805) :

The British “fought the First Maratha War in a period when their fortunes were at the lowest ebb”. Comment. [1998, 20m]

First Anglo-Maratha War (
1775-82
)

“The Treaty of Salbai (1782) was neither honorable to the English nor advantageous to their interests.” Comment. [2004, 20m]

Treaty of Salbai (1782)
ended it - inconclusive, Maratha

“Upon the whole, then, I conclude that the treaty of Bassein was wise, just and a politic measure.” Comment. [2005, 20m]

Bajirao II
signed a treaty with the English at Bassein
against Jaswanthrao

“The Maratha polity disintegrated through internal stress.” Critically examine. [2017, 10m]

[Disintegration of Maratha’s reasons :](onenote: [[Anglo]] %20Maratha%20Wars&section-id={5E4A9EBB-1AE5-4DC9-A50C-4BAC4568E9A7}&page-id={3D51B62D-A88D-4307-B71C-30331133221B}&object-id={5A2DB3F3-FF22-4E0D-A500-CA55D8920262}&B&base-path= https://d.docs.live.net/bbc8be5bd337910c/Documents/History%20Optional/Modern%20History/Part%20I/British%20Expansion.one )