1. The Maratha Confederacy rose to prominence after the decline of___________.
A) Vijayanagara Empire
B) Mughal Empire
C) Bahmani Sultanate
D) Delhi Sultanate
Answer: B
Explanation: With Mughal decline after Aurangzeb’s death (1707), the Marathas became the strongest power in India.
2. The Peshwa system of administration was introduced by___________.
A) Shivaji
B) Shahu
C) Balaji Vishwanath
D) Baji Rao II
Answer: B
Explanation: Shahu appointed Balaji Vishwanath as Peshwa (1713), strengthening the Maratha confederacy.
3. The Maratha Confederacy consisted of chiefs like Holkar, Scindia, Bhonsle, and___________.
A) Gaekwad
B) Wodeyar
C) Nizam
D) Nawab of Arcot
Answer: A
Explanation: The Maratha Confederacy was divided among powerful houses: Scindia (Gwalior), Holkar (Indore), Bhonsle (Nagpur), Gaekwad (Baroda).
4. The First Anglo-Maratha War was fought between___________.
A) 1765–1767
B) 1775–1782
C) 1785–1788
D) 1790–1792
Answer: B
Explanation: It arose due to the succession dispute after the death of Peshwa Madhavrao I.
5. The immediate cause of the First Anglo-Maratha War was___________.
A) Treaty of Salbai
B) Death of Narayan Rao
C) Treaty of Bassein
D) Raghunath Rao’s claim to Peshwaship
Answer: D
Explanation: The British supported Raghunath Rao’s claim against Narayan Rao’s infant son, leading to war.
6. Which treaty first formalized British intervention in Maratha affairs?
A) Treaty of Salbai (1782)
B) Treaty of Purandar (1776)
C) Treaty of Bassein (1802)
D) Treaty of Poona (1817)
Answer: B
Explanation: It was signed between the British and Marathas, weakening Raghunath Rao’s claim.
7. The Treaty of Purandar (1776) was signed by___________.
a) Nana Phadnavis
b) Mahadji Scindia
C) Baji Rao II
D) Holkar of Indore
Answer: A
Explanation: The treaty was signed by Nana Phadnavis, the powerful minister of the Maratha confederacy.
8. The British leader involved in the Treaty of Purandar was___________.
A) Warren Hastings
B) Sir Eyre Coote
C) Colonel Upton
D) Cornwallis
Answer: C
Explanation: Colonel Upton signed the treaty on behalf of the British East India Company.
9. Which treaty ended the First Anglo-Maratha War?
A) Treaty of Purandar (1776)
B) Treaty of Salbai (1782)
C) Treaty of Bassein (1802)
D) Treaty of Srirangapatna (1792)
Answer: B
Explanation: The Treaty of Salbai ended the war and restored the status quo for 20 years.
10. Who was the Governor-General during the First Anglo-Maratha War?
A) Cornwallis
B) Warren Hastings
C) Wellesley
D) Dalhousie
Answer: B
Explanation: Warren Hastings (1773–1785) was the Governor-General during the First Anglo-Maratha War.
11. The Treaty of Salbai (1782) guaranteed ___________.
A) Raghunath Rao as Peshwa
B) Recognition of Madhavrao II as Peshwa
C) Partition of Maratha Confederacy
D) British annexation of Gujarat
Answer: B
Explanation: The treaty recognized Madhavrao II (Narayan Rao’s son) as the legitimate Peshwa.
12. Which Maratha leader played the most important role in resisting the British during the First Anglo-Maratha War?
A) Mahadji Scindia
B) Holkar of Indore
C) Nana Phadnavis
D) Gaekwad of Baroda
Answer: C
Explanation: Nana Phadnavis united the Marathas against British interference.
13. The Treaty of Salbai resulted in ___________.
A) 20 years of relative peace
B) Immediate war with Tipu Sultan
C) Annexation of Bengal by Marathas
D) British withdrawal from India
Answer: A
Explanation: It ensured temporary peace between Marathas and the British until 1802.
14. Who was the infant Peshwa supported by Nana Phadnavis during the First Anglo-Maratha War?
A) Baji Rao II
B) Narayan Rao
C) Madhavrao II
D) Balaji Vishwanath
Answer: C
Explanation: Madhavrao II, infant son of Narayan Rao, was placed on the throne.
15. The First Anglo-Maratha War showed that___________.
A) British had military superiority everywhere
B) Marathas could still challenge British expansion
C) French were more powerful in India
D) The Mughals were still dominant
Answer: B
Explanation: The war ended in a stalemate, showing Maratha strength.
16. Who acted as regent for Madhavrao II during his minority?
A) Baji Rao II
B) Raghunath Rao
C) Nana Phadnavis
D) Mahadji Scindia
Answer: C
Explanation: Nana Phadnavis acted as regent and safeguarded Maratha independence.
17. The First Anglo-Maratha War exposed the weakness of which British system?
A) Dual government in Bengal
B) Warren Hastings’ diplomacy
C) Bombay government acting independently
D) Subsidiary Alliance
Answer: C
Explanation: The Bombay presidency acted rashly, dragging the Company into a long war.
18. The Bombay Council entered into a treaty with Raghunath Rao in 1775, known as___________.
A) Treaty of Bassein
B) Treaty of Purandar
C) Treaty of Surat
D) Treaty of Poona
Answer: C
Explanation: The Treaty of Surat (1775) promised support to Raghunath Rao.
19. Under the Treaty of Surat (1775), the British were promised___________.
A) Salsette and Bassein
B) Pune and Nagpur
C) Gwalior and Baroda
D) Gujarat and Bundelkhand
Answer: A
Explanation: In return for helping him, Raghunath Rao promised Salsette and Bassein to the British.
20. Which Maratha leader later emerged as the de facto head of the confederacy?
A) Holkar
B) Mahadji Scindia
C) Gaekwad
D) Baji Rao II
Answer: B
Explanation: Mahadji Scindia became the most powerful Maratha chief after the First Anglo-Maratha War.
21. Who defeated the British at Wadgaon (1779) during the First Anglo-Maratha War?
A) Nana Phadnavis
B) Holkar
C) Mahadji Scindia
D) Pindaris
Answer: C
Explanation: The British were forced to surrender at Wadgaon, a major embarrassment.
22. Which British treaty of 1779 had to be annulled after the Wadgaon defeat?
A) Treaty of Surat
B) Treaty of Purandar
C) Treaty of Salbai
D) Treaty of Poona
Answer: A
Explanation: The humiliating terms imposed at Wadgaon nullified the Treaty of Surat.
23. Which European power secretly encouraged the Marathas against the British?
A) Dutch
B) French
C) Portuguese
D) Danish
Answer: B
Explanation: The French hoped to check British expansion by backing the Marathas.
24. The First Anglo-Maratha War revealed that___________.
A) British were militarily superior everywhere
B) Marathas still retained unity and strength
C) The Mughals were stronger than Marathas
D) The British had consolidated all of India
Answer: B
Explanation: Despite internal rivalries, the Marathas successfully resisted the British.
25. Who said that the Treaty of Salbai (1782) “secured British possessions and ended danger from Marathas for two decades”?
A) Lord Hastings
B) Warren Hastings
C) Cornwallis
D) K.M. Panikkar
Answer: B
Explanation: Hastings himself praised the treaty as a diplomatic success.
26. The Second Anglo-Maratha War was fought between___________.
A) 1780–1784
B) 1790–1792
C) 1803–1805
D) 1817–1818
Answer: C
Explanation: The war began after the Treaty of Bassein (1802), which divided the Maratha Confederacy.
27. The immediate cause of the Second Anglo-Maratha War was___________.
A) Treaty of Salbai
B) Treaty of Bassein
C) Treaty of Purandar
D) British attack on Nagpur
Answer: B
Explanation: The Treaty of Bassein signed by Peshwa Baji Rao II with the British in 1802 triggered the war.
28. The Treaty of Bassein (1802) was signed between the British and___________.
A) Nana Phadnavis
B) Madhavrao II
C) Baji Rao II
D) Holkar
Answer: C
Explanation: Peshwa Baji Rao II, after defeat by Holkar, sought British support and signed the treaty.
29. The Treaty of Bassein required the Peshwa to accept___________.
A) British suzerainty and subsidiary alliance
B) Division of Maratha Confederacy
C) Control of Gujarat by the British
D) French officers in Maratha army
Answer: A
Explanation: It bound the Peshwa to station British troops and accept British dominance.
30. Who described the Treaty of Bassein as a “death warrant of Maratha independence”?
A) Lord Wellesley
B) Warren Hastings
C) K.M. Panikkar
D) Mountstuart Elphinstone
Answer: C
Explanation: Historian K.M. Panikkar called it the death warrant of Maratha independence.
31. Which British Governor-General engineered the Treaty of Bassein?
A) Cornwallis
B) Wellesley
C) Hastings
D) Dalhousie
Answer: B
Explanation: Lord Wellesley (1798–1805) imposed the Subsidiary Alliance system, including on the Peshwa.
32. Which Maratha chief defeated the Peshwa Baji Rao II at the Battle of Poona (1802)?
A) Scindia
B) Holkar
C) Bhonsle
D) Gaekwad
Answer: B
Explanation: Yashwantrao Holkar defeated Baji Rao II, forcing him to flee and seek British help.
33. Which Maratha chiefs opposed the Treaty of Bassein and fought against the British?
A) Holkar and Scindia
B) Scindia and Bhonsle
C) Holkar and Gaekwad
D) Bhonsle and Peshwa
Answer: B
Explanation: Scindia of Gwalior and Bhonsle of Nagpur opposed British interference and fought the war.
34. The Battle of Assaye (1803) was fought between___________.
A) British and Holkar
B) British and Scindia
C) British and Bhonsle
D) British and Tipu Sultan
Answer: B
Explanation: Arthur Wellesley defeated Scindia at the Battle of Assaye, a major victory.
35. Who was the British commander at the Battle of Assaye (1803)?
A) Cornwallis
B) Eyre Coote
C) Arthur Wellesley
D) General Baird
Answer: C
Explanation: Arthur Wellesley (later Duke of Wellington) won the decisive Battle of Assaye.
36. The Battle of Assaye (1803) is considered___________.
A) The greatest victory of Arthur Wellesley’s Indian career
B) A defeat for the British
C) The end of Maratha confederacy
D) Beginning of First Anglo-Maratha War
Answer: A
Explanation: Wellesley himself described Assaye as his finest battle.
37. The Battle of Argaon (1803) was fought between the British and___________.
A) Holkar
B) Scindia and Bhonsle
C) Gaekwad
D) Peshwa
Answer: B
Explanation: Arthur Wellesley defeated Scindia and Bhonsle at Argaon in December 1803.
38. Who signed the Treaty of Deogaon with the British in 1803?
A) Scindia
B) Holkar
C) Bhonsle of Nagpur
D) Peshwa
Answer: C
Explanation: Raghuji Bhonsle II signed the Treaty of Deogaon, surrendering Cuttack (Orissa).
39. Which Maratha ruler signed the Treaty of Surji-Anjangaon with the British in 1803?
A) Scindia
B) Holkar
C) Gaekwad
D) Bhonsle
Answer: A
Explanation: Daulat Rao Scindia signed this treaty, surrendering Delhi and Agra.
40. Under the Treaty of Deogaon (1803), the Bhonsle ceded___________.
A) Delhi
B) Orissa (Cuttack)
C) Gujarat
D) Malwa
Answer: B
Explanation: The British gained Cuttack, strengthening their control of the east.
41. The Treaty of Surji-Anjangaon (1803) resulted in___________.
A) Scindia losing Delhi and Agra
B) Scindia losing Orissa
C) Scindia becoming Peshwa
D) British defeat
Answer: A
Explanation: Scindia ceded key Mughal territories, including Delhi, to the British.
42. Who was the Mughal Emperor in Delhi when the British took over from Scindia in 1803?
A) Shah Alam II
B) Aurangzeb
C) Bahadur Shah I
D) Bahadur Shah II
Answer: A
Explanation: Shah Alam II came under British protection after Delhi was taken from Scindia.
43. Which British general captured Delhi and Agra in 1803?
A) Arthur Wellesley
B) Lake
C) Baird
D) Cornwallis
Answer: B
Explanation: General Gerard Lake captured Delhi and Agra from Scindia.
44. Which Maratha chief did not participate in the Second Anglo-Maratha War?
A) Holkar
B) Scindia
C) Bhonsle
D) Gaekwad
Answer: A
Explanation: Yashwantrao Holkar remained neutral initially and fought later.
45. Which treaty ended the Second Anglo-Maratha War?
A) Treaty of Salbai (1782)
B) Treaty of Bassein (1802)
C) Treaty of Surji-Anjangaon and Deogaon (1803)
D) Treaty of Poona (1817)
Answer: C
Explanation: These treaties ended the war, heavily curtailing Maratha power.
46. The Second Anglo-Maratha War weakened the Marathas because___________.
A) They lost Delhi and Agra
B) They lost Orissa
C) They accepted British supremacy
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: The Marathas lost territory, prestige, and independence after the war.
47. Which Maratha leader emerged strongest after the Second Anglo-Maratha War?
A) Holkar of Indore
B) Scindia of Gwalior
C) Bhonsle of Nagpur
D) Gaekwad of Baroda
Answer: A
Explanation: Holkar, who did not fight in the war, remained relatively strong until 1817.
48. The outcome of the Second Anglo-Maratha War firmly established___________.
A) French supremacy in India
B) British supremacy in India
C) Mughal restoration in Delhi
D) Maratha independence
Answer: B
Explanation: By gaining Delhi, Agra, and Orissa, the British emerged supreme.
49. Which Maratha chief later tried to resist the British after 1805, but was defeated?
A) Holkar
B) Bhonsle
C) Scindia
D) Gaekwad
Answer: A
Explanation: Holkar resisted British pressure but was defeated by General Lake.
50. The significance of the Second Anglo-Maratha War was that it___________.
A) Ended Mughal rule in Delhi
B) Paved the way for British control of North and Central India
C) Restored French power
D) Made Marathas supreme again
Answer: B
Explanation: With Delhi under their control, the British became rulers of India in the name of the Mughal Emperor.
51. The Third Anglo-Maratha War was fought between___________.
A) 1803–1805
B) 1810–1812
C) 1817–1818
D) 1820–1822
Answer: C
Explanation: This war was the final conflict between the Marathas and the British, leading to Maratha downfall.
52. The immediate cause of the Third Anglo-Maratha War was___________.
A) Treaty of Bassein
B) Rising of the Pindaris
C) French intervention
D) Maratha–Hyderabad alliance
Answer: B
Explanation: The Pindaris, who were plundering central India, provoked British military action which led to war with the Marathas.
53. The Pindaris were___________.
A) Peasant rebels
B) Mughal nobles
C) Irregular cavalry attached to Marathas
D) French mercenaries
Answer: C
Explanation: The Pindaris were irregular cavalrymen who lived by plunder and were associated with the Marathas.
54. The British campaign against the Pindaris was launched by___________.
A) Cornwallis
B) Wellesley
C) Lord Hastings
D) Dalhousie
Answer: C
Explanation: Governor-General Lord Hastings organized the campaign against the Pindaris in 1817.
55. Which Maratha power gave refuge to the Pindaris, angering the British?
A) Holkar of Indore
B) Scindia of Gwalior
C) Bhonsle of Nagpur
D) Peshwa Baji Rao II
Answer: D
Explanation: The Peshwa and other Marathas sheltered the Pindaris, leading to war.
56. Which treaty reduced the Peshwa to a pensioner of the British before the final war?
A) Treaty of Purandar
B) Treaty of Bassein
C) Treaty of Poona (1817)
D) Treaty of Salbai
Answer: C
Explanation: Signed in June 1817, it further curtailed the Peshwa’s authority.
57. The Third Anglo-Maratha War broke out when Peshwa Baji Rao II attacked___________.
A) The British Residency at Poona
B) Scindia’s forces
C) Nagpur army
D) Holkar’s troops
Answer: A
Explanation: On 5 November 1817, Baji Rao II attacked the British Residency, sparking the war.
58. The attack on the British Residency at Poona (1817) is called___________.
A) Battle of Koregaon
B) Battle of Kirkee
C) Battle of Wadgaon
D) Battle of Assaye
Answer: B
Explanation: The Battle of Kirkee (near Poona) marked the beginning of open hostilities.
59. The Battle of Koregaon (1818) is notable because___________.
A) Marathas defeated the British
B) A small British force resisted a large Maratha army
C) Pindaris were destroyed
D) Holkar surrendered
Answer: B
Explanation: A detachment of 800 men (including Mahar soldiers) held out against Baji Rao’s 20,000 troops.
60. The Battle of Koregaon (1818) is commemorated today by___________.
A) Peshwa descendants
B) Dalit and Mahar communities
C) British archives
D) Scindia family
Answer: B
Explanation: The Mahar regiment’s role is celebrated as a symbol of Dalit pride.
61. The British commander in the Battle of Koregaon (1818) was___________.
A) General Lake
B) Captain Staunton
C) Arthur Wellesley
D) General Baird
Answer: B
Explanation: Captain Staunton led the British troops in the heroic defence at Koregaon.
62. The Bhonsle of Nagpur was defeated by the British at___________.
A) Battle of Argaon
B) Battle of Sitabuldi
C) Battle of Assaye
D) Battle of Gwalior
Answer: B
Explanation: At Sitabuldi (Nagpur, 1817), the British defeated the Bhonsle forces.
63. The Holkar of Indore was defeated in 1817 at___________.
A) Battle of Assaye
B) Battle of Mehidpur
C) Battle of Kirkee
D) Battle of Wadgaon
Answer: B
Explanation: The Holkar army was crushed by Sir Thomas Hislop at Mehidpur.
64. Which treaty was signed with the Holkars after the Battle of Mehidpur (1817)?
A) Treaty of Gwalior
B) Treaty of Mandasor
C) Treaty of Poona
D) Treaty of Salbai
Answer: B
Explanation: The Treaty of Mandasor (1818) forced Holkar into submission under the British.
65. The Scindias signed a treaty with the British during the Third Anglo-Maratha War known as___________.
A) Treaty of Surji-Anjangaon
B) Treaty of Gwalior (1817)
C) Treaty of Mandasor
D) Treaty of Bassein
Answer: B
Explanation: Scindia signed the Treaty of Gwalior in November 1817, aligning with the British.
66. The Treaty of Gwalior (1817) forced Scindia to___________.
A) Accept Subsidiary Alliance
B) Give up Pindari support
C) Cede territory
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: Scindia surrendered territory, accepted Subsidiary Alliance, and renounced the Pindaris.
67. Who captured the fortress of Asirgarh (1818), known as the “key to the Deccan”?
A) Lord Hastings
B) General Lake
C) Sir John Malcolm
D) Arthur Wellesley
Answer: C
Explanation: Malcolm’s capture of Asirgarh symbolized the end of Maratha resistance.
68. The last Peshwa, Baji Rao II, was captured in___________.
A) 1817
B) 1818
C) 1820
D) 1825
Answer: B
Explanation: Baji Rao II surrendered to the British in June 1818.
69. What pension was granted to Peshwa Baji Rao II after his surrender?
A) ₹4 lakh annually
B) ₹8 lakh annually
C) ₹12 lakh annually
D) ₹15 lakh annually
Answer: C
Explanation: He was pensioned off with ₹12 lakh annually and sent to Bithoor near Kanpur.
70. The adopted son of Baji Rao II, later connected with the 1857 Revolt, was___________.
A) Nana Saheb
B) Tatya Tope
C) Chimaji Appa
D) Raghunath Rao
Answer: A
Explanation: Nana Saheb (adopted son) played a key role in the 1857 revolt after his pension was stopped.
71. The Third Anglo-Maratha War ended in___________.
A) 1817
B) 1818
C) 1820
D) 1825
Answer: B
Explanation: The war concluded in 1818 with the surrender of the Peshwa.
72. The final outcome of the Third Anglo-Maratha War was___________.
A) Restoration of Peshwa power
B) End of Maratha Confederacy
C) Maratha victory over the British
D) Return of Mughal authority
Answer: B
Explanation: The war ended Maratha power and established British supremacy.
73. After 1818, the Peshwaship was___________.
A) Continued under British
B) Abolished
C) Transferred to Scindia
D) Given to Holkar
Answer: B
Explanation: The Peshwa institution was abolished permanently.
74. The Maratha state of Satara was___________.
A) Annexed immediately in 1818
B) Given to a descendant of Shivaji
C) Given to Scindia
D) Placed under Holkar
Answer: B
Explanation: Satara was handed to Pratap Singh, a descendant of Shivaji, as a princely state.
75. The significance of the Third Anglo-Maratha War was that it___________.
A) Marked the final victory of French in India
B) Completed British conquest of India
C) Restored Mughal authority in Delhi
D) Revived Maratha supremacy
Answer: B
Explanation: With Maratha power crushed, British supremacy across India was established.
76. After 1818, the Maratha Confederacy was___________.
A) United under Scindia
B) Divided among the French and British
C) Dissolved permanently
D) Restored under Holkar
Answer: C
Explanation: The Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817–18) ended the Maratha Confederacy and British supremacy was established.
77. The Peshwa Baji Rao II after his defeat was___________.
A) Executed
B) Imprisoned in Delhi
C) Pensioned off at Bithoor
D) Sent to England
Answer: C
Explanation: He lived near Kanpur on a pension of ₹12 lakh annually until his death in 1851.
78. The adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao II, who later became a leader in the Revolt of 1857, was___________.
A) Raghoba
B) Nana Saheb
C) Tatya Tope
D) Chimaji Appa
Answer: B
Explanation: Nana Saheb’s pension was stopped by the British, pushing him into rebellion in 1857.
79. The state of Satara was handed over to___________.
A) Scindia
B) Bhonsle
C) Pratap Singh, descendant of Shivaji
D) British Resident
Answer: C
Explanation: The British installed Pratap Singh (descendant of Shivaji) as ruler of Satara in 1818.
80. Later, the state of Satara was annexed by the British under___________.
A) Subsidiary Alliance
B) Doctrine of Lapse
C) Treaty of Poona
D) Permanent Settlement
Answer: B
Explanation: Satara was annexed in 1848 by Lord Dalhousie after failure of heirs.
81. The Scindias of Gwalior accepted British supremacy through the___________.
A) Treaty of Salbai
B) Treaty of Gwalior (1817)
C) Treaty of Bassein
D) Treaty of Surji-Anjangaon
Answer: B
Explanation: Scindia submitted to British authority before the war ended.
82. The Holkars of Indore accepted British terms through the___________.
A) Treaty of Mandasor (1818)
B) Treaty of Salbai (1782)
C) Treaty of Poona
D) Treaty of Deogaon
Answer: A
Explanation: Holkar’s defeat at Mehidpur forced him to sign the Treaty of Mandasor.
83. The Bhonsles of Nagpur were defeated and accepted British supremacy after___________.
A) Battle of Sitabuldi
B) Battle of Assaye
C) Battle of Argaon
D) Battle of Koregaon
Answer: A
Explanation: In 1817, the Bhonsles were defeated at Sitabuldi, reducing Nagpur to a dependent state.
84. After 1818, the Marathas came under___________.
A) French control
B) Direct Mughal authority
C) British paramountcy
D) Independent status
Answer: C
Explanation: All Maratha states were subordinated to British supremacy.
85. The most powerful Maratha chief before the final defeat was___________.
A) Gaekwad
B) Holkar
C) Scindia
D) Nana Phadnavis
Answer: C
Explanation: The Scindias of Gwalior were militarily the strongest of the Maratha houses.
86. Which Maratha state remained as a princely state until 1947?
A) Satara
B) Gwalior
C) Poona
D) Nagpur
Answer: B
Explanation: Gwalior (Scindia dynasty) remained a princely state under British suzerainty until independence.
87. The capital of the Scindia dynasty of Marathas was___________.
A) Pune
B) Indore
C) Baroda
D) Gwalior
Answer: D
Explanation: Gwalior was ruled by the Scindias, important allies of the British after 1818.
88. The Gaekwads ruled which Maratha state?
A) Baroda
B) Indore
C) Satara
D) Nagpur
Answer: A
Explanation: The Gaekwad dynasty ruled Baroda (Vadodara) under British protection.
89. The Holkars ruled from___________.
A) Indore
B) Nagpur
C) Pune
D) Gwalior
Answer: A
Explanation: The Holkars were based in Indore and were among the key Maratha chiefs.
90. The Bhonsles ruled from___________.
A) Gwalior
B) Nagpur
C) Indore
D) Satara
Answer: B
Explanation: The Bhonsles were seated at Nagpur and controlled parts of central India.
91. The collapse of Maratha power opened the way for British supremacy in___________.
A) Bengal
B) North India and the Deccan
C) Punjab
D) Sindh
Answer: B
Explanation: The Marathas were the last major Indian power resisting British rule.
92. Which Governor-General finally crushed Maratha power?
A) Wellesley
B) Cornwallis
C) Hastings
D) Dalhousie
Answer: C
Explanation: Lord Hastings (1813–1823) defeated the Marathas in the Third Anglo-Maratha War.
93. The Marathas’ political system failed mainly because of___________.
A) Centralized monarchy
B) Internal rivalries among chiefs
C) Weak military
D) Support from the French
Answer: B
Explanation: The confederacy was disunited; Holkar, Scindia, Bhonsle, and Gaekwad often fought each other.
94. The Maratha confederacy was centered around___________.
A) Delhi
B) Pune
C) Nagpur
D) Indore
Answer: B
Explanation: Pune (Poona) was the seat of the Peshwa, the head of the confederacy.
95. Which policy ensured British dominance over Indian states, including the Marathas?
A) Dual government
B) Doctrine of Lapse
C) Subsidiary Alliance
D) Ryotwari system
Answer: C
Explanation: Wellesley’s Subsidiary Alliance was imposed on the Marathas and other Indian rulers.
96. Which Maratha power continued to retain some autonomy under British?
A) Bhonsle of Nagpur
B) Scindia of Gwalior
C) Holkar of Indore
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: These states survived as princely states but under British suzerainty.
97. The final annexation of Satara by the British happened in___________.
A) 1818
B) 1825
C) 1848
D) 1857
Answer: C
Explanation: Lord Dalhousie annexed Satara under the Doctrine of Lapse.
98. The defeat of Marathas ensured that___________.
A) Mughal power revived
B) British became supreme in India
C) French regained colonies
D) Peshwa became stronger
Answer: B
Explanation: The collapse of Marathas in 1818 meant no Indian power could rival the British.
99. Who described the Treaty of Bassein as “the nail in the coffin of Maratha power”?
A) Mountstuart Elphinstone
B) Warren Hastings
C) Lord Hastings
D) K.M. Panikkar
Answer: A
Explanation: Elphinstone, a British official, remarked that it destroyed Maratha independence.
100. The defeat of the Marathas in 1818 is considered significant because it ___________.
A) Marked the end of Indian resistance until 1857
B) Gave French supremacy in India
C) Restored Mughal rule
D) Strengthened Tipu Sultan
Answer: A
Explanation: With Mysore and Marathas defeated, the British faced no major resistance until the 1857 Revolt.