Manoj Jha in POLITY 3 years ago

Anglo Maratha war and it’s consequences

Studying Anglo Maratha war and it’s consequences is one of the important and interesting aspect in Indian Modern History . This is one of the much awaited article on this topic , where you would be able to find answers to most of your questions . In this article the 1st Anglo Maratha war has been dealt with in detail . At the end of the post, one can find various questions , which can be read after complete reading .

If you want to read Marathas from beginning and cover them in detail then you must read in following sequence by clicking on the links given below –

1. Marathas at its’ peak

2. 3rd Battle of Panipat of 1761

3. Anglo Maratha war and it’s consequences

Anglo Maratha wars and it’s consequences

A BRIEF BACKGROUND –

The defeat of Marathas in the third battle of Panipat of 1761 busted the myth of Maratha invincibility ( that Marathas can not be defeated ) .

After the 3rd Battle of Panipat of 1761 , it also became clear that Marathas were unlikely to form the next Pan – Indian Empire .

ANGLO MARATHA WAR

Marathas after 3rd Battle of Panipat of 1761

1. Marathas continued to collect revenue in the form of CHAUTH and SARDESHMUKHI . For the collection of revenue , there were various Maratha Sardars appointed in different regions / provinces .

2. For eg. HOLKARS were responsible for collecting revenue from INDORE region .

3. Similarly , SCINDHIYAS were appointed for GAWALIOR region ; GAEKWADS for BARODA and BHOSLEs were assigned the POONA region.

4. All of them , the Holkars , the Scindhiyas , the Gaekwads and the Bhosles were the Maratha sardas of respective regions .

5 . It is important to understand here that Maratha Sardars were like Governors . Apart from revenue collection , they also maintained Troops , which were under the direct control of Maratha sardars .

Following the defeat of Marathas in 3rd Battle of Panipat and the death of BALAJI BAJI RAO ( The then Peshwa ) ; the authority of Peshwas declined . Due to which Maratha sardars asserted more autonomy in their respective regions .

Marathas – 1772 onwards

After the death of Balaji Baji Rao , his son NARAYAN RAO became the next Peshwa . Narayan Rao was a WEAK Peshwa .

Because Narayan Rao was a weak Peshwa , he was supported by the Maratha sardars . Why ?? – Whenever there would be a weak Peshwa , it would become easy for the Maratha sardars to assert autonomy in their respective regions . That is why , despite being a weak Peshwa , Narayan Rao was supported by the Maratha sardars .

However , Raghunath Rao ( uncle of Narayan Rao ) organised the assassination of Narayan Rao . Raghunath Rao organised the assassination because he wanted to be the next Peshwa .

Maratha sardars were unhappy with this . Thus , all the Maratha sardars launched a co-ordinated attack to overthrow Raghunath Rao .

It became difficult for Raghunath Rao to deal with all the Maratha Sardars at one go .

In this situation , Raghunath Rao looked towards British East India Company ( BEIC ) for the help .
At this time , BEIC had its trading presence at the SALSETTE region in BOMBAY .

Thus , Raghunath Rao sought British assistance and the Britishers were also keen to intervene on behalf of Raghunath Rao . Why were the Britishers keen to intervene ?? – Because BEIC sought to expand it’s trading presence in the region .

So , all these Factors led to the breakout of 1st Anglo Maratha war between 1775 to 1782 .

MAP – MARATHA EMPIRE AT IT’S PEAK

1st Anglo Maratha war ( 1775 – 1782 )

The key Battle of the 1st Anglo Maratha war was the BATTLE OF WADGAON of 1779 .
In the Battle of Wadgaon , the Maratha sardars , under the leadership of NANA FADNIS , imposed a crushing defeat on the British troops .
Nana Fadnis is an important player here , as he was the person who kept all the Maratha Sardars united . It was the efforts of Fadnis only due to which Maratha sardars imposed a crushing defeat on BEIC and Raghunath Rao .

Thus , BEIC faced a humiliating defeat in the 1st Anglo Maratha war . Facing the defeat , BEIC came into a more conciliatory / compromising mood .

Thus , after the 1st Anglo Maratha war , TREATY OF SALABAI was signed in 1782 .

Treaty of Salabai of 1782

Under the Treaty of Salabai of 1782 , the Marathas reached a truce with the BEIC .
Provisions of the Treaty of Salabai of 1782 are as follows –

1. The British agreed to return the Maratha territories , captured in the region during the war .

2. British also agreed , not to intervene in the internal affairs of the Maratha rulers and their succession disputes .

3. In return , Marathas agreed to grant more trading privileges to BEIC in the SALSETTE and BAROCH region . Both of these regions were part of Maratha territories .

4. Marathas agreed , not to employ any other European except the British in their administration .

5. Marathas agreed to work along with British in case , British comes into any future conflict with MYSORE .

Significance of the Treaty of Salabai of 1782

1. The Treaty of Salabai brought a relative peace between Marathas and British in the region . This peace lasted for almost 2 decades , till 1802 .

2. Nana Fadnis rose to prominence during this period . WHY ?? – Because of his role in the Battle of Wadgaon of 1779 , where he managed to keep all Maratha sardars together .

It should also be noted here , the key architect of drafting the Treaty of Salabai was Nana Fadnis .

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NOTE – After reading this post , one can answer following questions –

1 . Who won 1st Anglo Maratha war ?

2. What was the main cause of Anglo – Maratha war ?