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HC06 — Maratha Empire & Regional Kingdoms

📚 HC06 · Medieval India – III · Chapter 3 of 3 CDS Level ★ High Priority

📌 CDS Focus: Shivaji, the Peshwas, and the Third Battle of Panipat are high-yield PYQ topics. Regional kingdoms — especially Mysore (Haidar Ali, Tipu Sultan) and Bengal Nawabs (Battle of Plassey) — mark the transition to the British period and appear frequently as linking questions. The Anglo-Mysore and Anglo-Maratha Wars are regularly tested as numbered wars.

PART A — MARATHA EMPIRE

1. Shivaji & the Foundation of Maratha Power

1.1 Shivaji Maharaj (1627/30–1680) Maximum PYQs

📌 Key Events — Timeline

1646 — Captured Torna Fort (first fort); aged ~16
1659 — Battle of Pratapgad; killed Afzal Khan (Bijapur general)
1664 — Sack of Surat (1st time); alarmed Mughals and British
1666 — Captured by Aurangzeb; escaped from Agra (legend)
1674 — Coronation at Raigad (Rajyabhisheka); took title Chhatrapati
1680 — Died at Raigad Fort

👑 Ashtapradhan — Council of Eight Ministers

Peshwa — Prime Minister (most important)
Amatya — Finance Minister
Mantri — Home Affairs / Chronicles
Senapati — Commander of Army
Sachiv — Secretary (correspondence)
Sumant — Foreign Affairs
Nyayadhish — Chief Justice
Panditrao — Religious and Charity affairs

Shivaji's Revenue System: Abolished jagirdari; introduced ryotwari (direct state-peasant relationship). Chauth = 1/4th of land revenue of neighbouring territory (tribute for not raiding). Sardeshmukhi = additional 1/10th claimed as hereditary right of Deccan deshmukh. CDS asks the difference between Chauth and Sardeshmukhi.

💡 Shivaji's Military Innovation: Ganimi kava (guerrilla warfare) — avoided pitched battles; used geography of Sahyadri mountains. Built the first Maratha navy (Sarkhel = Admiral). Employed soldiers of all castes and religions.

1.2 Peshwa Era — The Real Power PYQ

Peshwa	Period	Key Contribution
Balaji Vishwanath	1713–1720	First powerful Peshwa; made Peshwa hereditary; mastermind of Maratha revival after Mughal captivity of Shahu
Baji Rao I	1720–1740	Greatest Peshwa; never lost a battle; expanded Marathas into North India; Battle of Palkhed 1728 (defeated Nizam); "never lost a battle"
Balaji Baji Rao (Nana Saheb)	1740–1761	Extended Maratha power to its peak; Third Battle of Panipat — Marathas defeated by Ahmad Shah Abdali; this broke Maratha power
Madhav Rao I	1761–1772	Revived Maratha power after Panipat disaster; died young (TB); greatest administrator among Peshwas
Baji Rao II	1796–1818	Last Peshwa; signed Treaty of Bassein (1802) with British; led to Third Anglo-Maratha War and final defeat

1.3 Third Battle of Panipat — 1761 High Priority

Third Battle of Panipat — 14 January 1761

⚠ Why Marathas lost at Panipat 1761: (1) Alienated potential allies — Rajputs, Jats, Sikhs refused help due to Maratha arrogance. (2) Overextended supply lines — fought far from Maharashtra. (3) Vishwasrao (heir) and Bhau Saheb (commander) both killed on battlefield. (4) Balaji Baji Rao died of shock after hearing the news. The defeat ended Maratha dominance in North India, opening the door for British expansion.

1.4 Anglo-Maratha Wars PYQ

War	Year	Result	Key Treaty
First Anglo-Maratha War	1775–1782	Inconclusive; British failed	Treaty of Salbai (1782) — status quo; British recognised Madhav Rao II
Second Anglo-Maratha War	1803–1805	British won; dismantled Maratha confederacy	Treaties of Deogaon, Surji Anjangaon — Scindia and Bhonsle submit
Third Anglo-Maratha War	1817–1818	Final defeat; Peshwa abolished	Baji Rao II surrendered; Peshwaship abolished; Peshwa given pension at Bithur

PART B — REGIONAL KINGDOMS

2. Regional Kingdoms — Key States

2.1 Mysore — Haidar Ali & Tipu Sultan Maximum PYQs

⚔ Haidar Ali (r. 1761–1782)

Rose from soldier to ruler; not of royal lineage
First Indian ruler to form a French-trained army
Fought 1st Anglo-Mysore War (1767–69) — British defeated; Treaty of Madras
Fought 2nd Anglo-Mysore War (1780–84) — died of cancer during war (1782)
Used rockets (Mysorean rockets) in warfare — precursor to modern rocketry

🦄 Tipu Sultan (r. 1782–1799)

Called "Tiger of Mysore"; innovative administrator
Fought 3rd Anglo-Mysore War (1790–92) — Treaty of Seringapatam; lost territory
Fought 4th Anglo-Mysore War (1799) — died defending Srirangapatna
Introduced rocket artillery in organised warfare
Planted "Tree of Liberty"; sent missions to France & Ottoman Empire

Anglo-Mysore War	Year	Against	Result
First	1767–69	Haidar Ali	British lost; Treaty of Madras — humiliating for British
Second	1780–84	Haidar Ali (then Tipu)	Inconclusive; Treaty of Mangalore (1784) — status quo
Third	1790–92	Tipu Sultan	Tipu lost; Treaty of Seringapatam — gave hostage sons + territory
Fourth	1799	Tipu Sultan	Tipu killed; Mysore divided; British dominance established

⚠ Key Traps — Mysore Wars: (1) British LOST the 1st Anglo-Mysore War — the only Anglo-Indian war where British signed a humiliating treaty (Madras). (2) Tipu died in the 4th war, not the 3rd. (3) Treaty of Seringapatam was after the 3rd war (not 4th). (4) Cornwallis was the Governor-General during the 3rd war; Wellesley during the 4th.

2.2 Bengal Nawabs & Battle of Plassey High Priority PYQ

Nawab	Period	Key Event
Murshid Quli Khan	1717–1727	First Nawab of Bengal; reorganised revenue; founded Murshidabad as capital
Alivardi Khan	1740–1756	Expelled Marathas from Bengal; banned European companies from fortifying
Siraj-ud-Daulah	1756–1757	Black Hole of Calcutta (June 1756); Battle of Plassey (June 23, 1757) — betrayed by Mir Jafar; defeated by Clive
Mir Jafar	1757–1760	Puppet Nawab; installed by British after betraying Siraj; received large bribe
Mir Qasim	1760–1763	Tried to resist British; fought Battle of Buxar (1764) with Shuja-ud-Daula and Shah Alam II

Battle of Plassey (1757) — Significance: Robert Clive defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah not by military strength alone but through Mir Jafar's betrayal and Jagat Seth's (banker) financial intrigue. This battle is considered the foundation of British Empire in India — it gave the British effective control of Bengal's revenues. The actual fighting lasted barely 11 hours.

2.3 Other Regional Kingdoms Overview PYQ

🏔️

Ahom Kingdom

Assam · 1228–1826

Founded by Sukaphaa; lasted ~600 years
Resisted 17 Mughal invasions — never fully conquered
Battle of Saraighat (1671) — Lachit Borphukan defeated Mughal navy under Ram Singh
Ended by Burmese invasion (1817) and then British (1826, Treaty of Yandabo)

🏛️

Awadh (Oudh)

Founded 1722

Founded by Saadat Khan Burhan-ul-Mulk
Famous for Nawabi culture — Lucknow tehzeeb
Nawab Wajid Ali Shah — last Nawab; dethroned 1856
Doctrine of Lapse used by British to annex (Dalhousie)
Its annexation was a major cause of 1857 revolt

🌐

Hyderabad

Founded 1724

Founded by Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah I (1724)
Largest princely state by area in British India
First state to sign a Subsidiary Alliance with British (Lord Wellesley, 1798)
Nizams remained in power until 1948 (Police Action)

Afghan Presence: Ahmad Shah Abdali (Durrani) invaded India 8 times (1748–1767). He won the Third Battle of Panipat (1761) against Marathas. He also defeated Mughals. However, he did not establish permanent rule in India. Rohillas (Afghan tribe in Rohilkhand, UP) were his allies.

⚡ HC06 Memory Chart — Fast Revision

🏰 Shivaji Essentials

Ashtapradhan — 8 ministers; Peshwa = PM
Chauth = 1/4th tribute
Sardeshmukhi = 1/10th additional
Coronation 1674 — Raigad
Escaped Agra 1666 — in fruit basket (legend)

📜 Peshwas — Quick

Balaji Vishwanath — 1st great Peshwa
Baji Rao I — never lost a battle
Balaji Baji Rao — 3rd Panipat defeat
Madhav Rao I — revived after Panipat
Baji Rao II — Treaty of Bassein; last Peshwa

⚔️ 3rd Panipat (1761)

Marathas vs Ahmad Shah Abdali
Abdali + Rohillas + Nawab of Awadh
Vishwasrao & Bhau Saheb killed
Ended Maratha North India dominance
Balaji Baji Rao died of grief

🐯 Mysore Wars

1st (1767–69) — British LOST
2nd (1780–84) — Haidar dies; Treaty of Mangalore
3rd (1790–92) — Treaty of Seringapatam
4th (1799) — Tipu KILLED
Wellesley = GG during 4th war

🌊 Battle of Plassey

1757 — Clive vs Siraj-ud-Daulah
Mir Jafar betrayed Siraj
Foundation of British Empire in India
Battle of Buxar 1764 — more decisive
Black Hole — June 1756 (before Plassey)

🏔️ Regional Kingdoms

Ahom — Lachit Borphukan; Saraighat 1671
Awadh — Wajid Ali Shah (last); 1857 cause
Hyderabad — 1st Subsidiary Alliance (1798)
Abdali — 8 invasions; won Panipat 1761
Rohillas = Afghan tribe; Abdali's allies

📄 Topic-Wise PYQs & Tricky Questions

Q1. What was 'Chauth' in the Maratha revenue system? CDS PYQ

(a) 1/10th of revenue(b) 1/4th of revenue (c) 1/6th of revenue(d) 1/3rd of revenue

✔ Answer: (b) 1/4th of revenue

Chauth was a tribute of 1/4th (25%) of land revenue collected by Marathas from territories they threatened not to raid. Sardeshmukhi was an additional 1/10th. CDS often asks which fraction chauth represents — the answer is always 1/4th.

Q2. The 'Ashtapradhan' was a council of: CDS PYQ

(a) 8 military generals(b) 8 ministers of Shivaji (c) 8 feudal chiefs(d) 8 provincial governors

✔ Answer: (b) 8 ministers of Shivaji

Ashtapradhan (ashta = 8, pradhan = minister) was Shivaji's council of 8 ministers, each handling a specific portfolio. The Peshwa was the most important (Prime Minister). Unlike Mughal courts, members were not nobles but administrative specialists.

Q3. In which battle did the British suffer a defeat against Haidar Ali? Tricky

(a) Second Anglo-Mysore War(b) Third Anglo-Mysore War (c) First Anglo-Mysore War(d) Fourth Anglo-Mysore War

✔ Answer: (c) First Anglo-Mysore War

The First Anglo-Mysore War (1767–69) ended with British defeat. The Treaty of Madras was signed in which British acknowledged Haidar Ali's terms — the only major Indian war where British were forced to sue for peace. Students often assume British always won, making this a classic trap.

Q4. Who was the Peshwa famous for never having lost a battle? CDS PYQ

(a) Balaji Vishwanath(b) Baji Rao I (c) Madhav Rao I(d) Balaji Baji Rao

✔ Answer: (b) Baji Rao I

Baji Rao I (1720–1740) is celebrated as the greatest Peshwa and was reportedly never defeated in any battle — fighting over 40 battles. His lightning cavalry tactics made him nearly invincible. He defeated the Nizam at Battle of Palkhed (1728) and expanded Maratha power deep into North India.

Q5. Battle of Saraighat (1671) is associated with which regional kingdom? CDS PYQ

(a) Mysore(b) Awadh (c) Ahom Kingdom(d) Hyderabad

✔ Answer: (c) Ahom Kingdom

Battle of Saraighat (1671) was fought on the Brahmaputra river between the Ahom army (led by Lachit Borphukan) and the Mughal naval force under Ram Singh I. The Ahoms decisively won, halting Mughal expansion into Assam. Lachit Borphukan is a national hero; National Defence Academy gives a gold medal in his honour.

Q6. Who among the following betrayed Siraj-ud-Daulah at the Battle of Plassey? CDS PYQ

(a) Mir Qasim(b) Shuja-ud-Daula (c) Mir Jafar(d) Nizam-ul-Mulk

✔ Answer: (c) Mir Jafar

Mir Jafar, commander of Siraj-ud-Daulah's forces, was bribed by Robert Clive and Jagat Seth (banker) to betray the Nawab. He held back the bulk of the army during the battle. After the British victory, Mir Jafar was installed as the puppet Nawab of Bengal.

Q7. The Treaty of Bassein (1802) was signed between: Tricky

(a) Baji Rao I and the British(b) Baji Rao II and the British (c) Madhav Rao I and the British(d) Nana Saheb and the British

✔ Answer: (b) Baji Rao II and the British

The Treaty of Bassein (December 1802) was signed by the last Peshwa, Baji Rao II, with the British East India Company. He accepted British protection (Subsidiary Alliance) in exchange for his throne. This effectively ended Maratha independence and led directly to the Second and Third Anglo-Maratha Wars.

Q8. Which state was the FIRST to sign a Subsidiary Alliance with the British? CDS PYQ

(a) Mysore(b) Awadh (c) Hyderabad(d) Maratha Confederacy

✔ Answer: (c) Hyderabad

Hyderabad (Nizam) was the first Indian state to sign a Subsidiary Alliance with the British under Lord Wellesley in 1798. Under this system, Indian rulers accepted British troops and a British Resident in exchange for protection — giving the British effective control without direct annexation. Mysore signed after the 4th war (1799).

📋 Quick Reference — HC06

🏰 Shivaji — Firsts

1st Maratha naval force (Sarkhel = Admiral)
Chauth = 1/4th; Sardeshmukhi = 1/10th
Ashtapradhan — 8 ministers
Coronation 1674 — Raigad Fort
Ganimi kava = guerrilla warfare

📜 Anglo-Maratha Wars

1st (1775–82) — Treaty of Salbai
2nd (1803–05) — Maratha confederacy broken
3rd (1817–18) — Peshwaship abolished
Baji Rao II = last Peshwa (Bithur pension)

🐯 Mysore — Quick Match

1st War — British LOST (only time)
3rd War — Treaty of Seringapatam
4th War — Tipu killed (1799)
GG: Cornwallis (3rd) · Wellesley (4th)

🌊 Bengal Nawabs

Siraj-ud-Daulah — Plassey 1757
Mir Jafar — betrayed Siraj; puppet Nawab
Mir Qasim — fought Buxar 1764
Plassey = foundation of British Empire in India

🏔️ Ahom Kingdom

Founded 1228 — Sukaphaa
Lasted ~600 years; resisted 17 Mughal raids
Lachit Borphukan — hero of Saraighat 1671
Ended by Burmese + British (Treaty of Yandabo 1826)

🤝 Subsidiary Alliance

Concept: British troops + Resident in state
1st — Hyderabad (1798); by Wellesley
Mysore (1799) · Awadh (1801)
Maratha chiefs (1803) · Bhonsle, Scindia

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