The Anglo-Maratha Wars were a series of three strategic conflicts fought between the British East India Company and the Maratha Confederacy. These wars were the most significant struggles for political supremacy in the Indian subcontinent following the decline of the Mughal Empire. While the Marathas were the most formidable indigenous power in the 18th century, internal dissensions, succession disputes, and the lack of a unified command eventually allowed the British to dismantle the Maratha Empire and establish their own dominance across India.
The Maratha Confederacy and British Ambition
Following the death of Chhatrapati Shahu, the power of the Maratha state shifted from the descendants of Shivaji Maharaj to the Peshwas (Prime Ministers).
- Evolution of the Peshwaship: Under Balaji Vishwanath and Bajirao I, the Peshwa became the de facto ruler. Bajirao I established the Maratha Confederacy to manage vast territories.
- The Five Power Centers: The Confederacy was composed of five major families:
- Peshwa at Pune (Poona)
- Gaekwad at Baroda
- Bhonsle at Nagpur
- Holkar at Indore
- Sindhia (Shinde) at Gwalior
- The Panipat Impact (1761): The defeat in the Third Battle of Panipat was a massive blow. Though they recovered under Madhavrao I, his untimely death in 1772 triggered a succession crisis that invited British intervention.
First Anglo-Maratha War (1775–1782): The Struggle for the Musnud
The first conflict was sparked by the “inordinate ambition” of Raghunathrao (Raghoba), who sought British help to become the Peshwa.
Key Events and Strategic Maneuvers
- The Treaty of Surat (1775): Raghunathrao ceded Salsette and Bassein to the Bombay Government in exchange for military support.
- The Battle of Wadgaon (1779): The Marathas, led by the brilliant Mahadji Sindhia, used a Scorched Earth Policy—burning fields and poisoning wells—to trap the British at the Talegaon ghats. The British were forced to sign the humiliating Treaty of Wadgaon.
The Treaty of Salbai (1782)
The war ended with the Treaty of Salbai, negotiated by Mahadji Sindhia. It provided 20 years of peace and recognized Sawai Madhavrao as the rightful Peshwa.
- The British retained Salsette.
- Raghunathrao was pensioned off.
- The Marathas agreed not to support any other European power (notably the French).
Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803–1805): The Subsidiary Trap
Internal rivalry between Jaswantrao Holkar and the combined forces of Peshwa Bajirao II and Sindhia led to a total breakdown of the Confederacy.
The Treaty of Bassein (1802)
After being defeated by Holkar at the Battle of Hadapsar, Bajirao II fled to British protection and signed the Treaty of Bassein. This was a Subsidiary Alliance, reducing the Peshwa to a British vassal.
- Provisions: The Peshwa surrendered Surat, gave up claims on the Nizam’s territory, and agreed to station a permanent British force in Pune.
Outcome
The Sindhias and Bhonsles refused to accept the treaty and went to war but were defeated by British generals like Arthur Wellesley. The Maratha chiefs were forced to sign separate treaties (Deogaon and Surji-Anjangaon), surrendering massive territories.
4 Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817–1818): The Final Collapse
This was the final bid by the Maratha chiefs to regain their lost independence. It was triggered by Lord Hastings’ aggressive campaign against the Pindaris (irregular mercenaries associated with the Marathas).
- The Uprising: Feeling the sting of the Subsidiary Alliance, Bajirao II attacked the British Residency at Pune in 1817. Simultaneously, Appa Sahib (Nagpur) and the Holkars (Indore) rose up.
- The Result: The Marathas were decisively defeated at Khirki, Sitabuldi, and Mahidpur.
- Dissolution (1818): The office of the Peshwa was abolished.
- Bajirao II was exiled to Bithur (near Kanpur) on a pension.
- A small principality, Satara, was carved out for a descendant of Shivaji (Pratap Singh).
- The British East India Company became the undisputed paramount power in India.
FAQs
WHO WAS THE FIRST HEREDITARY PESHWA OF THE MARATHA EMPIRE?
Balaji Vishwanath (1713–1720) was the first to make the position of Peshwa hereditary, shifting power from the Chhatrapati to the Peshwa.
WHAT WAS THE “BARABHAI COUNCIL”?
It was a council of twelve Maratha chiefs led by Nana Phadnavis formed to protect the interests of the infant Peshwa Sawai Madhavrao and resist Raghunathrao’s claims.
WHICH BATTLE IN 1779 FORCED THE BRITISH TO SURRENDER DURING THE FIRST WAR?
The British surrendered after being trapped by Mahadji Sindhia at the Battle of Wadgaon.
WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TREATY OF SALBAI (1782)?
It ended the First Anglo-Maratha War and provided a 20-year peace period, which the British used to consolidate their power in other parts of India.
ON WHICH RIVER IS THE CITY OF SURAT LOCATED, WHICH THE EIC GAINED IN 1802?
The city of Surat is located on the Tapti River.
WHY DID THE MARATHA CHIEFS LOSE THE SECOND ANGLO-MARATHA WAR?
The primary reason was internal disunity; the Holkars, Sindhias, and Bhonsles failed to coordinate their efforts against the well-organized British forces.
WHO WERE THE PINDARIS?
The Pindaris were irregular military looters or mercenaries who often accompanied Maratha armies; the British campaign against them was the immediate trigger for the Third War.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PESHWA AFTER THE THIRD ANGLO-MARATHA WAR?
The office of the Peshwa was abolished, and Bajirao II was exiled to Bithur near Kanpur as a British retainer.
WHAT WAS THE “SCORCHED EARTH POLICY” USED BY THE MARATHAS?
It was a military tactic of destroying crops and poisoning water sources to leave no resources for the advancing British army, effectively starving them out.
WHICH MARATHA CHIEF WAS THE LAST TO BE DEFEATED IN 1818?
Holkar of Indore was the last major chief defeated at the Battle of Mahidpur, leading to the Treaty of Mandasor.
