Maratha continued
- Military rise of Marathas:
- In 1719, Marathas allied with the Sayyid brothers of the Hindustani group to remove Farukksiyar and place Muhammad Shah as a puppet ruler.
- In return they got:
- Independent status in Maharashtra (Shahu recognized the authority of the Mughal emperor, therefore independent here means autonomous like successor state, that is not legally but in practice).
- Chauth(1/4th of revenue) of Malwa and Gujarat.
- Chauth and Serdeshmukhi (1/10th of the revenue) of 6 Mughal provinces of Deccan.
- However, Nizam got rid of the Sayyid brothers and restored the status of Mohammad shah, and then became governor of Hyderabad in 1724.
- Therefore Marathas lost the gains made.
- In 1727-28, Baji Rao sent an army to Gujarat and extracted the right to 60% of the revenue of Gujarat from its Mughal governor.
- In 1728 Baji Rao defeated Hyderabad and regained Chauth and Serdeshmukhi of Deccan.
- Chauth is 1/4th of the revenue and Serdeshmukhi is 1/10th of the revenue.
- Chauth was a tool of foreign policy and only applied to non-Maratha territory in return for Maratha protection, that is the protected state gave 1/4th of revenue to prevent future Maratha attacks on itself.
- When the protected state could not pay Chauth anymore it lost protection and was then annexed by Marathas.
- Serdeshmukhi was introduced by Chhatrapati Shivaji, Deshmukh gave 1/10th of revenue as a symbol of recognizing his authority as Serdeshmukh (head of Deshmukh).
- Serdeshmukhi can be applied to Maratha and non-Maratha territories.
- In 1731 Marathas defeated a joint attack by nizam and the local chiefs of Gujarat.
- In 1729 captured Malwa and reached Rajasthan.
- In 1736 defeated Portuguese and Ethiopian Muslims at the Konkan coast, this signified the naval strength of the Marathas.
- In 1737 Bajirao plundered Delhi and kept Mohammad Fhah temporarily captive.
- In 1738 Marathas defeated a large Mughal army led by Nizam and then signed the treaty of Bhopal in 1739 where they got Suba of Malwa and sovereignty over all territory between river Chambal and Narmada.
- During 1745-51, Raghuji Bhonsle of Nagpur regularly attacked Bengal Suba and forced Alivardi Khan to give Orissa and Chauth of Bengal and Bihar.
- Chauth was paid until 1757 after which EIC controlled Bengal Suba and Marathas lost Orissa to the British/EIC in the 2nd Anglo-Maratha war in 1803-05.
- In 1751, Nana Sahib attacked Hyderabad territory in Konkan and signed the Treaty of Bhalke, where Salabat Jung gave Khandesh to Marathas.
- From 1751 onwards Marathas regularly attacked Rajputs, they extracted annual tributes and interfered in succession but could never conclusively defeat Rajputs, therefore did not try for annexation.
- In 1752 Mughals came under Maratha protection, due to fear of Afghan invasions(Ist Afghan invasion in 1748, 2nd in 1756-61, and 3rd in 1799).
- In 1754 Marathas interfered in Mughal succession and placed Alamgir-II as puppet emperor.
- In 1765 Marathas defeated Mysore and extracted tribute.
- In 1766 Hyderabad gave northern Circars to EIC in return for Military protection from Marathas and Mysore.
- In 1795 Battle of Kharda was the last battle between the Marathas and Hyderabad, where the Marathas emerged victorious, EIC stayed neutral as it also had a military alliance with the Marathas since the treaty of Salbai, in 1782.
- In 1798 Hyderabad became the 1st state to sign a subsidiary/subordinate alliance with EIC where it lost control over foreign policy and military to EIC and return got military protection of EIC.
- Marathas failed to defeat Sikhs.
- Therefore by the mid-18th century Marthas emerged as the top power in India and it was the 3rd battle of Panipat that halted their rise and thereafter their decline began.
3rd battle of Panipat, 1761
- It was fought between Ahmed Shah Abdali/Durrani(he was the founder of Modern Afghanistan and of the Durrani empire, a trusted commander of Nadir Shah, declared himself king of Afghanistan after Nadir Shah's death, began 1st Afgan invasion in 1748 that failed, began 2nd Afgan invasion that concluded in 3rd battle of Panipat).
- He was supported by Siuja-Ud Duala (Nawab of Awadh who wanted to weaken Marathas).
- Najib-ud-Dula(ruler of Rohilkhandd).
- Farrukabad under Bangash Pathan.
- Jats under Surajmal temporarily supported Marathas.
- Mughals (only technically) as Mughals came under Maratha protection due to fear of Afgan invasion.
- Thus mainly only Marathas were on the other side.
- Reasons for the battle:
- The conflict between 2 rising neighbouring powers, that is Marathas in India and Abdali in Afghanistan.
- In 1756 Afghan raided northern India and Abdali appointed his son Timur Shah as governor of Punjab.
- Nana saheb sent his brother who defeated and removed Timur from Lahor, this was the peak of the Maratha empire.
- Now nana saheb thought of making his son Vishwas Rao emperor of India.
- Those Mughals who were anti-Maratha had earlier requested the help of Abdali.
- Attacks by Abdali culminated in the 3rd battle of Panipat.
- Why Abdali won?
- A stronger alliance by Abdali- Awadh supported Abdai as it wanted to weaken the Marathas who were its rivals, therefore declined to support Marathas.
- Rohillas and Bangash Pathans expected greater influence in north India if Afghani Abdali won.
- Sikhs, Rajputs, and Jats stayed neutral due to constant plundering in the past by Marathas, therefore Marthas failed to convince other Indian powers.
- A higher number of soldiers (60000 vs 50000).
- Disunity between Maratha Sardars, for example, Bhonsle of Nagpur didn't fight, therefore factionalism played a role.
- The better military leadership of Abdali.
- Abdali's forces had better artillery, for example, horses mounted guns.
- Abdali's forces were successful in cutting off the supply lines between Delhi and Panipat and therefore famine-like conditions existed in the Maratha camp in Panipat with no food for men and no fodder for horses, while Afghan supply routes stayed functional.
- Maratha's hallmark strategy of Guerrilla warfare was not suited for the vast plain fields of Panipat.
- Impact of loss:
- Marathas lost important leaders like Sadashiv Rao Bhau and Viswas Rao died fighting.
- While Nana Saheb died within weeks of the 3rd battle of Panipat.
- Now factionalism began in Maratha Politics leading to the weakening of central authority.
- Marathas got militarily weakened as they lost important leaders and 50000 men.
- Abdali returned to Afghanistan with loot as there was a revolt in his army in Afghanistan(an anti-Abdali military general planned a coup in Afghanistan).
- Thus 3rd battle of Panipat decided who will not rule India and not who will rule India.
- Now there was a vacuum of power at the centre that was filled later by EIC by defeating multiple regional wars of India one by one.
Why were so many empires shaking battles fought in Panipat?
- Battles were not fought for the city of Panipat but because this region was the gateway to Delhi.
- Anyone who wanted to capture Delhi from the west had to pass through Khyber pass in Afghanistan and then enter India via Punjab.
- For the ruler of Delhi strategically it was best to stop the enemy at the gates, that is in this region having Panipat, Karnal, Kurukshetra, and Thanesar.
- This region had vast fields suitable for large armies.
- This region had many warrior classes making military recruitment easy for the army.
- The region was agriculturally productive and close to Delhi therefore easy supplies for fighting men.
- Suitable weather for long battles.
- Muhammad of Gazni fought in Thanesar in 1014 and his empire extended from Iran to Pakisthan by 1030.
- Ghori fought Prithaviraj in Thanesar in 1191.
- 1st battle of Panipat led to the end of the Delhi Sultanate and the establishment of the Mughal empire.
- 2nd battle of Panipat led to the re-establishment of the Mughal empire.
- The battle of Karnal led to Nadir Shah becoming emperor for 60 days.
- The 3rd battle of Panipat prevented Maratha from becoming an all-Indian power.
The topic of the next class: Maratha administration.
40 multiple-choice questions based on the class notes:
1. In 1719, the Marathas allied with which group to place Muhammad Shah as a puppet ruler?
a) Sayyid brothers
b) Mughals
c) Sikhs
d) Rajputs
Answer: a) Sayyid brothers
2. What did the Marathas gain in return for their alliance with the Sayyid brothers?
a) Independent status in Maharashtra
b) Control over Bengal
c) Chauth of Malwa and Gujarat
d) Subordination to the Mughal emperor
Answer: a) Independent status in Maharashtra and c) Chauth of Malwa and Gujarat
3. What is Chauth?
a) 1/4th of the revenue
b) 1/10th of the revenue
c) A military alliance
d) A system of taxation
Answer: a) 1/4th of the revenue
4. Which provinces did the Marathas receive Chauth and Serdeshmukhi from?
a) Deccan
b) Bengal
c) Rajasthan
d) Punjab
Answer: a) Deccan
5. What is Serdeshmukhi?
a) 1/4th of the revenue
b) 1/10th of the revenue
c) A system of taxation
d) A military alliance
Answer: b) 1/10th of the revenue
6. Which region did Baji Rao capture in 1727-28?
a) Bengal
b) Gujarat
c) Rajasthan
d) Hyderabad
Answer: b) Gujarat
7. Who did Baji Rao defeat to regain Chauth and Serdeshmukhi of Deccan in 1728?
a) Sayyid brothers
b) Nizam
c) Mughals
d) Rajputs
Answer: b) Nizam
8. In 1736, the Marathas demonstrated their naval strength by defeating which groups at the Konkan coast?
a) British and Portuguese
b) Dutch and French
c) Portuguese and Ethiopian Muslims
d) Sikhs and Jats
Answer: c) Portuguese and Ethiopian Muslims
9. In 1737, Bajirao plundered which city and temporarily held Mohammad Shah captive?
a) Delhi
b) Agra
c) Mumbai
d) Pune
Answer: a) Delhi
10. In the Treaty of Bhopal (1739), the Marathas gained sovereignty over which territory?
a) Malwa
b) Gujarat
c) Bengal
d) Punjab
Answer: a) Malwa
11. Who regularly attacked Bengal Suba and forced Alivardi Khan to give Orissa and Chauth of Bengal and Bihar during 1745-51?
a) Bajirao
b) Raghuji Bhonsle
c) Nana Sahib
d) Balaji Vishwanath
Answer: b) Raghuji Bhonsle
12. Marathas lost Orissa to which power in the 2nd Anglo-Maratha war?
a) Mughals
b) British/EIC
c) Sikhs
d) Rajputs
Answer: b) British/EIC
13. In 1751, Nana Sahib attacked which territory in Konkan and signed the Treaty of Bhalke?
a) Bengal
b) Hyderabad
c) Awadh
d) Mysore
Answer: b) Hyderabad
14. Which power did Marathas fail to defeat?
a) Sikhs
b) Mughals
c) Rajputs
d) British/EIC
Answer: a) Sikhs
15. The 3rd battle of Panipat in 1761 was fought between the Marathas and which power?
a) Mughals
b) British/EIC
c) Sikhs
d) Abdali/Durrani
Answer: d) Abdali/Durrani
16. Who supported Abdali in the 3rd battle of Panipat to weaken the Marathas?
a) Sikhs
b) Rajputs
c) Mughals
d) Jats
Answer: c) Mughals
17. What was the outcome of the 3rd battle of Panipat?
a) Marathas emerged victorious
b) Mughals regained power
c) Abdali/Durrani emerged victorious
d) British/EIC gained control
Answer: c) Abdali/Durrani emerged victorious
18. How did the loss in the 3rd battle of Panipat impact the Marathas?
a) Weakening of central authority
b) Expansion of their empire
c) Strengthening of regional powers
d) Annexation by the Mughals
Answer: a) Weakening of central authority
19. Which region served as the gateway to Delhi and witnessed several significant battles?
a) Panipat
b) Lahore
c) Agra
d) Thanesar
Answer: a) Panipat
20. Why were battles fought in Panipat?
a) Strategic location near Delhi
b) Abundance of resources
c) Historical significance
d) Favorable weather conditions
Answer: a) Strategic location near Delhi
21. Which battle led to the establishment of the Mughal empire?
a) 1st battle of Panipat
b) 2nd battle of Panipat
c) Battle of Karnal
d) 3rd battle of Panipat
Answer: a) 1st battle of Panipat
22. Which battle led to the re-establishment of the Mughal empire?
a) 1st battle of Panipat
b) 2nd battle of Panipat
c) Battle of Karnal
d) 3rd battle of Panipat
Answer: b) 2nd battle of Panipat
23. Who became emperor for 60 days after the battle of Karnal?
a) Nadir Shah
b) Abdali/Durrani
c) Prithviraj Chauhan
d) Aurangzeb
Answer: a) Nadir Shah
24. What was the main reason for the 3rd battle of Panipat?
a) Conflict between Marathas and Sikhs
b) Conflict between Marathas and Rajputs
c) Conflict between Marathas and Mughals
d) Conflict between Marathas and Abdali
Answer: d) Conflict between Marathas and Abdali
25. Who supported Abdali in the 3rd battle of Panipat due to their rivalry with the Marathas?
a) Sikhs
b) Rajputs
c) Mughals
d) Jats
Answer: d) Jats
26. Which factor played
a role in Abdali's victory in the 3rd battle of Panipat?
a) Larger number of soldiers
b) Maratha factionalism
c) Better military leadership
d) Disruption of Maratha supply lines
Answer: d) Disruption of Maratha supply lines
27. What impact did the loss in the 3rd battle of Panipat have on the Marathas?
a) Strengthened their military power
b) Strengthened their alliance with the Mughals
c) Weakened their central authority
d) Led to territorial expansion
Answer: c) Weakened their central authority
28. Which power emerged victorious in the 3rd battle of Panipat?
a) Marathas
b) Mughals
c) Sikhs
d) Abdali/Durrani
Answer: d) Abdali/Durrani
29. What did the 3rd battle of Panipat decide?
a) The ruler of India
b) The end of Maratha rule
c) The end of Mughal rule
d) The end of British influence
Answer: b) The end of Maratha rule
30. What filled the power vacuum after the 3rd battle of Panipat?
a) EIC (British)
b) Mughals
c) Sikhs
d) Rajputs
Answer: a) EIC (British)
31. In which battle did Muhammad of Gazni fight in Thanesar?
a) 1st battle of Panipat
b) 2nd battle of Panipat
c) Battle of Karnal
d) None of the above
Answer: d) None of the above
32. Which battle led to the establishment of Nadir Shah as emperor for 60 days?
a) 1st battle of Panipat
b) 2nd battle of Panipat
c) Battle of Karnal
d) None of the above
Answer: c) Battle of Karnal
33. Who emerged as the victor in the Battle of Karnal?
a) Marathas
b) Mughals
c) Sikhs
d) Nadir Shah
Answer: d) Nadir Shah
34. What was the impact of the Battle of Karnal?
a) Nadir Shah became the emperor for 60 days
b) Marathas gained control over Delhi
c) Mughals were defeated
d) Marathas emerged as the top power in India
Answer: a) Nadir Shah became the emperor for 60 days
35. Which battle prevented the Marathas from becoming an all-Indian power?
a) 1st battle of Panipat
b) 2nd battle of Panipat
c) Battle of Karnal
d) 3rd battle of Panipat
Answer: d) 3rd battle of Panipat
36. Who signed a subsidiary/subordinate alliance with the EIC in 1798?
a) Sikhs
b) Rajputs
c) Marathas
d) Hyderabad
Answer: d) Hyderabad
37. Which power failed to be defeated by the Marathas?
a) Sikhs
b) Mughals
c) Rajputs
d) British/EIC
Answer: a) Sikhs
38. When did the Marathas lose Orissa to the British/EIC?
a) 1751
b) 1765
c) 1803-05
d) 1795
Answer: c) 1803-05
39. Which power did the Marathas defeat in the Battle of Kharda?
a) Mysore
b) Hyderabad
c) Sikhs
d) British/EIC
Answer: b) Hyderabad
40. What filled the power vacuum after the decline of the Marathas?
a) British/EIC
b) Mughals
c) Sikhs
d) Rajputs
Answer: a) British/EIC
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