Which factor most limited Maratha success against the British despite earlier victories over Mughals?
While the Marathas were militarily strong, their inability to form a stable diplomatic front against the British proved fatal. Internal rivalries between the Peshwa, Scindia and Holkar allowed the British East India Company to use “divide and rule” tactics. The Marathas failed to coordinate with other Indian powers, often fighting the British in isolation or even siding with them against fellow Maratha chiefs. ANSWER: (C) Lack of diplomatic unity
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The British success was largely a result of Maratha political fragmentation. After the death of Nana Fadnavis, the “glue” that held the confederacy together dissolved. Unlike the conflict with the Mughals, where a common religious and cultural identity provided a degree of cohesion, the struggle against the British saw Maratha sardars prioritizing their own regional survival. This lack of diplomatic unity prevented a collective defense. The British exploited these fissures through clever treaties and subsidiary alliances, ensuring that the Maratha houses were militarily neutralized one by one.