Share & grow the world's knowledge!
We want to connect the people who have knowledge to the people who need it, to bring together people with different perspectives so they can understand each other better, and to empower everyone to share their knowledge.
The decline of the Mughal Empire created conditions favorable for Maratha expansion mainly due to—
The internal decay of the Mughal court—marked by succession wars and the rise of powerful factions—shattered the empire’s ability to defend its distant subahs (provinces). This administrative paralysis meant that Mughal governors in Malwa, Gujarat and the Deccan were left without reinforcements or fRead more
The internal decay of the Mughal court—marked by succession wars and the rise of powerful factions—shattered the empire’s ability to defend its distant subahs (provinces). This administrative paralysis meant that Mughal governors in Malwa, Gujarat and the Deccan were left without reinforcements or funds. The Marathas exploited this by launching annual raids that crippled the local Mughal bureaucracy. As the Mughal tax-collecting machinery collapsed, the Marathas stepped in to fill the void, turning former Mughal provinces into Maratha tributaries. This shift was more about the failure of the Mughal system than just the military strength of the Marathas.
See lessWhich long-term consequence of Maratha rule indirectly facilitated British conquest of India?
While the confederacy facilitated expansion, its long-term consequence was a lack of national cohesion. By the late 18th century, the Maratha Empire had fragmented into several autonomous states with conflicting interests. The British exploited this fragmentation through diplomacy and subsidiary allRead more
While the confederacy facilitated expansion, its long-term consequence was a lack of national cohesion. By the late 18th century, the Maratha Empire had fragmented into several autonomous states with conflicting interests. The British exploited this fragmentation through diplomacy and subsidiary alliances. Because there was no single “Maratha State” to defeat, but rather a series of rival houses, the British were able to isolate and conquer them one by one. This internal division was the most significant factor that allowed a foreign trading company to eventually overcome the most powerful military force in India.
See lessWhich factor best explains the political rise of Maratha chiefs like Scindias and Holkars?
The Peshwas, starting with Bajirao I, recognized that a single center could not govern the vast territories being captured. They delegated military authority to talented commanders, transforming them from mere generals into hereditary "Sardars." Families like the Scindias (Gwalior) and Holkars (IndoRead more
The Peshwas, starting with Bajirao I, recognized that a single center could not govern the vast territories being captured. They delegated military authority to talented commanders, transforming them from mere generals into hereditary “Sardars.” Families like the Scindias (Gwalior) and Holkars (Indore) were allowed to manage the finances and defense of their assigned “spheres of influence.” This military autonomy was the engine of Maratha expansion, as it incentivized these chiefs to continuously push the empire’s boundaries further north and east to increase their own power and prestige.
See lessThe Maratha navy under Kanhoji Angre primarily aimed to—
Kanhoji Angre is often called the "Father of the Indian Navy" for his defiance of colonial maritime powers. His primary objective was to assert Maratha sovereignty over the western coastline. He developed a sophisticated naval strategy that used coastal fortifications in tandem with a mobile fleet.Read more
Kanhoji Angre is often called the “Father of the Indian Navy” for his defiance of colonial maritime powers. His primary objective was to assert Maratha sovereignty over the western coastline. He developed a sophisticated naval strategy that used coastal fortifications in tandem with a mobile fleet. By attacking European vessels that refused to pay for Maratha “permits,” he crippled their monopoly on trade. His naval prowess was so great that for decades, the British and Portuguese were unable to defeat him, securing the Maratha Empire’s maritime frontier during its formative years.
See lessThe Treaty of Bassein (1802) proved disastrous for the Marathas primarily because it—
By signing the Treaty of Bassein, Bajirao II traded the empire's independence for his personal survival. The treaty allowed the British East India Company to station a permanent subsidiary force in Pune, paid for by Maratha revenues. This move was viewed as a humilitating betrayal by other Maratha sRead more
By signing the Treaty of Bassein, Bajirao II traded the empire’s independence for his personal survival. The treaty allowed the British East India Company to station a permanent subsidiary force in Pune, paid for by Maratha revenues. This move was viewed as a humilitating betrayal by other Maratha sardars like Scindia and Bhonsle, as it effectively turned the Peshwa into a British puppet. It destroyed the internal balance of the confederacy and served as the immediate catalyst for the Second Anglo-Maratha War, ultimately paving the way for the total British conquest of Western India.
See less