Colonialism and the Marathas
Short Questions
1. Who was the first European power to arrive in India?
Answer: Portuguese
2. What was the name of the Portuguese historian who wrote about Shivaji Maharaj?
Answer: Cosme da Guarda
3. Which fort was conquered by Chimajiappa from the Portuguese?
Answer: Vasai
4. What was the name of the treaty signed between the Marathas and the Portuguese in 1670?
Answer: Treaty of 10th February 1670
5. Which European power established a factory at Vengurla?
Answer: Dutch
6. Who was the Maratha leader that defeated the Siddis in 1733?
Answer: Chimajiappa
7. What was the name of the battle fought between the Marathas and Afghans in 1761?
Answer: Third Battle of Panipat
8. Which British officer was present at Shivaji Maharaj’s coronation?
Answer: Henry Oxenden
9. What was the tax levied by Shivaji Maharaj on British salt trade called?
Answer: Octroi
10. Which Maratha leader sought British help, leading to their entry into Maratha politics?
Answer: Nanasaheb Peshwa
Long Questions
1. Why did Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj build a strong naval force?
Answer: Shivaji Maharaj built a strong navy to protect Swarajya from European colonizers like the Portuguese and British. He wanted to stop their advances along the coast and safeguard Maratha trade. His sea forts and navy helped resist foreign control.
2. What were the main points of Shivaji Maharaj’s policies towards European traders in Adnyapatra?
Answer: In Adnyapatra, Shivaji Maharaj advised keeping Europeans at a distance, allowing only trade relations. He warned against giving them land near sea forts, as they could build forts and show military power. He suggested fining them if found in enemy lands.
3. How did the Portuguese and Marathas interact diplomatically during Shivaji Maharaj’s reign?
Answer: The Portuguese and Marathas had a mix of cooperation and conflict. They signed a treaty in 1670 to avoid conflicts and compensate for plundered ships. However, Shivaji Maharaj attacked Bardesh in 1667 due to Portuguese religious conversion policies.
4. What was the significance of the Maratha victory at Vasai against the Portuguese?
Answer: The Maratha victory at Vasai, led by Chimajiappa in 1737, weakened Portuguese control in the region. It showed Maratha strength and their anti-colonial stance. The conquest of Vasai fort ensured Maratha dominance over Portuguese territories.
5. How did the Dutch and Marathas maintain their political relations?
Answer: The Dutch and Marathas had changing relations based on mutual needs. Shivaji Maharaj allowed a Dutch factory at Dabhol, and the Marathas spared Dutch factories during campaigns. In return, the Dutch paid tributes to the Marathas.
6. Why did the Marathas have conflicts with the Siddis?
Answer: The Marathas fought the Siddis to control Janjira and nearby forts. Siddis allied with Mughals and British, creating a threat to Swarajya. Shivaji Maharaj and Sambhaji Maharaj launched campaigns to curb Siddi power and secure the coast.
7. What role did the French play in Maratha military development?
Answer: The French helped the Marathas by supplying ammunition and training soldiers. Ibrahim Khan Gardi, trained by the French, served as artillery chief in the Maratha army. Mahadji Shinde used French trainers to build a strong army in north India.
8. How did the British-Maratha relations deteriorate after Shivaji Maharaj’s time?
Answer: After Shivaji Maharaj, Nanasaheb Peshwa sought British help, allowing their political entry. Raghunathrao’s alliance with the British led to conflicts like the First Anglo-Maratha War. The British used these opportunities to weaken Maratha power.
9. What were the reasons for the Maratha defeat in the Third Battle of Panipat?
Answer: The Marathas faced Ahmadshah Abdali in 1761 but were defeated due to Abdali’s stronger army and faster movements. The loss of key leaders like Sadashivraobhau and Vishwasrao weakened the Marathas. It was a major setback for their northern expansion.
10. Why did the Maratha Empire decline in the 19th century?
Answer: The Maratha Empire declined due to internal conflicts, like disputes between Holkar and Peshwa. British interference, especially after the Treaty of Vasai, weakened them. The Third Anglo-Maratha War in 1817 ended their rule, with Bajirao II surrendering.
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