Anglo-Maratha Wars

Learn about the Anglo-Maratha Wars (1775–1818), including causes, major battles, Governor-Generals, important treaties, key events and results for TNPSC and other competitive exams.

Anglo-Maratha Wars

• The Anglo-Maratha Wars were a series of three wars fought between the English East India Company and the Maratha Confederacy.
• They played a major role in the expansion of British power in India.

JOIN OUR TELEGRAM CHANNEL – T.ME/TNPSC_WINNERS

First Anglo-Maratha War (1775–1782)

• FIrst Anglo Maratha War came after the death of Peshwa Madhavrao in 1772.

Background

• After the death of Peshwa Madhavrao I in 1772, his brother Narayanrao became Peshwa.
• Narayanrao was murdered in 1773.
• His uncle Raghunath Rao (Raghoba) claimed the Peshwaship.
• The Maratha chiefs supported the infant Madhavrao II (Sawai Madhavrao) instead.
• Raghunath Rao sought British assistance.

Treaty of Surat – 1775

• Raghunath Rao entered into the Treaty of Surat with the British.
• The British agreed to support Raghunath Rao’s claim to the Peshwaship.
• In return, the British received territorial concessions.

Treaty of Purandar – 1776

• The British government in Bengal, under Warren Hastings, did not fully accept the Bombay government’s policy.
• The Treaty of Purandar was concluded with the Marathas.
• Raghunath Rao was pensioned and the British withdrew their support temporarily.

Convention of Wadgaon – 1779

• Maratha forces defeated the British near Wadgaon.
• The British were forced to accept the Convention of Wadgaon.

Treaty of Salbai – 1782

• The war ended with the Treaty of Salbai.
• It restored peace between the British and the Marathas.
• Madhavrao II was recognized as Peshwa.
• Raghunath Rao was given a pension.
• The British retained Salsette.

Exam Point

• First Anglo-Maratha War → Treaty of Salbai (1782)

Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803–1805)

• Second Anglo-Marath War starts at 1803.

Background

• The Maratha Confederacy was weakened by internal rivalries.
• Major Maratha chiefs included = Peshwa Baji Rao II, Daulat Rao, Scindia, Holkar, Bhonsle and Gaekwad.

Treaty of Bassein – 1802

• Yashwantrao Holkar defeated Peshwa Baji Rao II at the Battle of Poona (Pune) in 1802.
• Baji Rao II sought British protection.
• He signed the Treaty of Bassein (1802) with the British.
• This brought the Peshwa under the Subsidiary Alliance system of Lord Wellesley.

Important Battles in Second Anglo-Maratha war

• Battle of Assaye(1803) = British victory over Scindia and Bhonsle forces
• Battle of Argaon(1803) = British victory
• Battle of Laswari(1803) = British victory over Scindia
• Battle of Delhi(1803) = British captured Delhi
• Battle of Deeg(1804) = British victory

Important British Commander

• Arthur Wellesley played a major role in the British victories.
• He later became famous as the Duke of Wellington.

Treaties in 2nd Anglo-Maratha War

• Treaty of Deogaon (1803) – concluded with Raghuji Bhonsle II.
• Treaty of Surji-Anjangaon (1803) – concluded with Daulat Rao Scindia.

Result

• British influence over Maratha territories increased considerably.
• The Maratha Confederacy became weaker.
• Delhi came under British control.

Exam Point

• Second Anglo-Maratha War → Treaty of Bassein (1802) was the immediate background.

Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817–1818)

• Third Anglo-Maratha War starts at 1817.

Background

• The British wanted to eliminate the remaining Maratha challenge.
• Lord Hastings was Governor-General.
• The Peshwa Baji Rao II attempted to regain independence from British control.
• Several Maratha forces resisted British expansion.

Important Battles in Third Anglo-Maratha War

• Battle of Khadki (Kirkee) (1817) = British defeated Peshwa’s forces
• Battle of Sitabuldi (1817) = British victory over Bhonsle
• Battle of Mahidpur (1817) = British defeated Holkar
• Battle of Koregaon (1818) = Famous confrontation involving Peshwa’s forces
• Battle of Ashti (1818) = British victory over Peshwa’s forces

End of the Peshwa

• Baji Rao II surrendered to the British in 1818.
• The office of Peshwa was abolished.
• He was given a pension and sent to Bithoor.
• The territories of the Peshwa were annexed by the British.

Result

• The Maratha Confederacy effectively came to an end.
• British supremacy over most of India was greatly strengthened.
• The British became the dominant political power in India.

Anglo-Maratha Wars – Most Important One-Liners for TNPSC

• First Anglo-Maratha War = 1775–1782
• Second Anglo-Maratha War = 1803–1805
• Third Anglo-Maratha War = 1817–1818
• Governor-General during First Anglo-Maratha War = Warren Hastings
• Governor-General during Second Anglo-Maratha War = Lord Wellesley
• Governor-General during Third Anglo-Maratha War = Lord Hastings
• Treaty that ended First Anglo-Maratha War = Treaty of Salbai (1782)
• Treaty that brought Peshwa under Subsidiary Alliance = Treaty of Bassein (1802)
• Peshwa during Second and Third Wars = Baji Rao II
• Treaty with Scindia, 1803 = Treaty of Surji-Anjangaon
• Treaty with Bhonsle, 1803 = Treaty of Deogaon
• Major battle of Second War = Battle of Assaye (1803)
• Battle involving Holkar, 1817 = Battle of Mahidpur
• Treaty with Holkar, 1818 = Treaty of Mandasor
• Last Peshwa = Baji Rao II
• Office abolished after Third War = Peshwa
• Final result of Third War = End of Maratha political supremacy

Important Treaties of the Anglo-Maratha Wars

• Treaty of Surat (1775) = Raghunath Rao sought British support
• Treaty of Purandar (1776) = First Anglo-Maratha War
• Treaty of Salbai (1782) = Ended First Anglo-Maratha War
• Treaty of Bassein (1802) = Peshwa accepted British protection
• Treaty of Deogaon (1803) = Raghuji Bhonsle II
• Treaty of Surji-Anjangaon (1803) = Daulat Rao Scindia
• Treaty of Mandasor (1818) = Holkar and British

Important Personalities in Anglo-Maratha Wars

• Raghunath Rao – claimant to the Peshwaship during the First War.
• Madhavrao II – Peshwa supported by the Maratha chiefs.
• Baji Rao II – Peshwa during the Second and Third Wars.
• Daulat Rao Scindia – major Maratha chief.
• Yashwantrao Holkar – defeated Baji Rao II at Pune in 1802.
• Raghuji Bhonsle II – Maratha ruler of Nagpur.
• Lord Wellesley – Governor-General during the Second Anglo-Maratha War.
• Arthur Wellesley – important British commander.
• Lord Hastings – Governor-General during the Third Anglo-Maratha War.

TNPSC Important One-Liners for Anglo-Maratha Wars

• Anglo-Maratha Wars = Three wars.
• First Anglo-Maratha War = 1775–1782.
• First Anglo-Maratha War ended with the Treaty of Salbai (1782).
• Treaty of Surat = 1775.
• Convention of Wadgaon = 1779.
• Second Anglo-Maratha War = 1803–1805.
• Treaty of Bassein = 1802.
• Treaty of Bassein was signed between Baji Rao II and the British.
• Treaty of Bassein brought the Peshwa under the Subsidiary Alliance system.
• Battle of Assaye = 1803.
• Arthur Wellesley played an important role in the Battle of Assaye.
• Third Anglo-Maratha War = 1817–1818.
• Lord Hastings was Governor-General during the Third Anglo-Maratha War.
• Battle of Khadki (Kirkee) = 1817.
• Battle of Mahidpur = 1817.
• Battle of Koregaon = 1818.
• Peshwa Baji Rao II surrendered in 1818.
• The office of Peshwa was abolished after the Third Anglo-Maratha War.
• The Third Anglo-Maratha War ended effective Maratha political supremacy.
• After 1818, British supremacy over India was greatly strengthened.

Most important TNPSC sequence to remember

• Surat (1775) → Purandar (1776) → Wadgaon (1779) → Salbai (1782) → Bassein (1802) → Assaye (1803) → Khadki (1817) → Mahidpur (1817) → Koregaon (1818).