Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817–1818)
The Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817–1818) was the final conflict between the British East India Company and the Maratha Confederacy, resulting in the complete defeat of the Marathas and the end of the Maratha Empire.
Background of the War
- After the Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803-1805), the Marathas lost significant power.
- The British installed a puppet Peshwa, Baji Rao II, who was under their control.
- In 1817, Baji Rao II tried to regain independence and rebelled against the British.
- Other Maratha leaders, including the Holkars, Scindias, Bhonsles, and Gaekwads, also resisted British expansion.
Course of the War
1. Pindari Problem & British Attack (1817)
- The British accused the Marathas of supporting the Pindaris, a group of raiders.
- Lord Hastings led a massive British military campaign against the Pindaris.
- The Maratha chiefs feared British domination and started a war.
2. Major Battles of the War
- Battle of Khadki (1817): British defeated Baji Rao II near Pune.
- Battle of Sitabuldi (1817): British won against the Bhonsles of Nagpur.
- Battle of Mahidpur (1817): British crushed Holkar’s forces.
- Battle of Koregaon (1818): British forces (including a regiment of Dalit soldiers) resisted Baji Rao II’s army.
- Capture of Satara, Pune, and Gwalior (1818): The British took full control of Maratha territories.
3. End of the War (1818)
- Baji Rao II surrendered to the British on June 3, 1818.
- Other Maratha chiefs (Holkars, Scindias, Bhonsles, and Gaekwads) also submitted one by one.
Treaties & Results
- Treaty of Mandeswar (1818): Holkar surrendered and accepted British rule.
- Baji Rao II was sent to Bithoor (near Kanpur) with a pension of ₹8 lakh per year.
- The British annexed all Maratha territories and abolished the Peshwa system.
- The Maratha kingdom of Satara was given to a descendant of Shivaji, but under British control.
- End of Maratha rule in India; British became the supreme power in India.
Effects of the War
- End of the Maratha Empire: The war marked the final British victory over the Marathas.
- British dominance in India: Almost the entire Indian subcontinent came under British control.
- Abolition of the Peshwa title: Baji Rao II was exiled, and the Peshwa system was ended.
- Foundation of British Raj: The war cleared the way for British expansion in India, leading to direct British rule.
MCQs on Third Anglo-Maratha War
1. In which year did the Third Anglo-Maratha War begin?
a) 1803
b) 1817
c) 1818
d) 1824
Answer: b) 1817
2. Who was the last Peshwa of the Maratha Empire?
a) Madhavrao I
b) Baji Rao I
c) Baji Rao II
d) Narayanrao
Answer: c) Baji Rao II
3. The Battle of Koregaon (1818) was fought between the British and which Maratha leader?
a) Daulat Rao Scindia
b) Baji Rao II
c) Yashwant Rao Holkar
d) Appa Sahib Bhonsle
Answer: b) Baji Rao II
4. Which treaty marked the end of the Third Anglo-Maratha War?
a) Treaty of Bassein
b) Treaty of Purandar
c) Treaty of Mandeswar
d) Treaty of Salbai
Answer: c) Treaty of Mandeswar
5. Where was Baji Rao II exiled after the war?
a) Pune
b) Nagpur
c) Bithoor
d) Gwalior
Answer: c) Bithoor
6. Which battle led to the defeat of the Holkars in 1817?
a) Battle of Assaye
b) Battle of Sitabuldi
c) Battle of Mahidpur
d) Battle of Wadgaon
Answer: c) Battle of Mahidpur
7. What was the result of the Third Anglo-Maratha War?
a) British left India
b) Marathas regained their empire
c) Complete British victory and end of Maratha rule
d) A peace treaty with equal power distribution
Answer: c) Complete British victory and end of Maratha rule
This war completely ended Maratha power, making the British the supreme rulers of India. Would you like more details or explanations? 😊
The Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817–1818) was the final conflict between the British East India Company and the Maratha Confederacy, resulting in the complete defeat of the Marathas and the end of the Maratha Empire.
Background of the War
- After the Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803-1805), the Marathas lost significant power.
- The British installed a puppet Peshwa, Baji Rao II, who was under their control.
- In 1817, Baji Rao II tried to regain independence and rebelled against the British.
- Other Maratha leaders, including the Holkars, Scindias, Bhonsles, and Gaekwads, also resisted British expansion.
Course of the War
1. Pindari Problem & British Attack (1817)
- The British accused the Marathas of supporting the Pindaris, a group of raiders.
- Lord Hastings led a massive British military campaign against the Pindaris.
- The Maratha chiefs feared British domination and started a war.
2. Major Battles of the War
- Battle of Khadki (1817): British defeated Baji Rao II near Pune.
- Battle of Sitabuldi (1817): British won against the Bhonsles of Nagpur.
- Battle of Mahidpur (1817): British crushed Holkar’s forces.
- Battle of Koregaon (1818): British forces (including a regiment of Dalit soldiers) resisted Baji Rao II’s army.
- Capture of Satara, Pune, and Gwalior (1818): The British took full control of Maratha territories.
3. End of the War (1818)
- Baji Rao II surrendered to the British on June 3, 1818.
- Other Maratha chiefs (Holkars, Scindias, Bhonsles, and Gaekwads) also submitted one by one.
Treaties & Results
- Treaty of Mandeswar (1818): Holkar surrendered and accepted British rule.
- Baji Rao II was sent to Bithoor (near Kanpur) with a pension of ₹8 lakh per year.
- The British annexed all Maratha territories and abolished the Peshwa system.
- The Maratha kingdom of Satara was given to a descendant of Shivaji, but under British control.
- End of Maratha rule in India; British became the supreme power in India.
Effects of the War
- End of the Maratha Empire: The war marked the final British victory over the Marathas.
- British dominance in India: Almost the entire Indian subcontinent came under British control.
- Abolition of the Peshwa title: Baji Rao II was exiled, and the Peshwa system was ended.
- Foundation of British Raj: The war cleared the way for British expansion in India, leading to direct British rule.
MCQs on Third Anglo-Maratha War
1. In which year did the Third Anglo-Maratha War begin?
a) 1803
b) 1817
c) 1818
d) 1824
Answer: b) 1817
2. Who was the last Peshwa of the Maratha Empire?
a) Madhavrao I
b) Baji Rao I
c) Baji Rao II
d) Narayanrao
Answer: c) Baji Rao II
3. The Battle of Koregaon (1818) was fought between the British and which Maratha leader?
a) Daulat Rao Scindia
b) Baji Rao II
c) Yashwant Rao Holkar
d) Appa Sahib Bhonsle
Answer: b) Baji Rao II
4. Which treaty marked the end of the Third Anglo-Maratha War?
a) Treaty of Bassein
b) Treaty of Purandar
c) Treaty of Mandeswar
d) Treaty of Salbai
Answer: c) Treaty of Mandeswar
5. Where was Baji Rao II exiled after the war?
a) Pune
b) Nagpur
c) Bithoor
d) Gwalior
Answer: c) Bithoor
6. Which battle led to the defeat of the Holkars in 1817?
a) Battle of Assaye
b) Battle of Sitabuldi
c) Battle of Mahidpur
d) Battle of Wadgaon
Answer: c) Battle of Mahidpur
7. What was the result of the Third Anglo-Maratha War?
a) British left India
b) Marathas regained their empire
c) Complete British victory and end of Maratha rule
d) A peace treaty with equal power distribution
Answer: c) Complete British victory and end of Maratha rule
This war completely ended Maratha power, making the British the supreme rulers of India. Would you like more details or explanations? 😊