Question Answers Class 12 Chapter 4 History Maharashtra Board

Colonialism and the Marathas

Exercise

Q.1 (A) Choose the correct alternative and rewrite the statement.

1. Marathas defeated the Portuguese during the siege of Phonda.
Correct Statement: Marathas defeated the Portuguese during the siege of Phonda.

2. The political relations between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the British began due to the Afzal Khan episode.
Correct Statement: The political relations between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the British began due to the Afzal Khan episode.

3. The younger brother of Bajirao Peshwa I defeated the Portuguese at Vasai.
Correct Statement: The younger brother of Bajirao Peshwa I defeated the Portuguese at Vasai.

4. The ‘Third Battle of Panipat’ was fought between Marathas and the Abdali.
Correct Statement: The Third Battle of Panipat was fought between Marathas and the Abdali.

(B) Find the incorrect pair from group ‘B’, and write the corrected one.

Answer:
Incorrect Pair: Francois Martin – Chief of Dutch factory
Corrected Pair: Francois Martin – Governor General of Puducherry
Explanation: Francois Martin was the Governor General of Puducherry, not the Chief of a Dutch factory. The Dutch were a separate colonial power, and Francois Martin was associated with the French.

Q.2 (A) Write names of historical places/persons/events.

1. The first Europeans to arrive in India:
Portuguese

2. The place where the Portuguese stored ammunition:
Panvel

3. They honoured Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj with tributes for ensuring the safety of their factories and issuing trading permits:
Dutch

4. The British agent at Jaitapur:
Velaji

(B) Choose the right reason and complete the sentence.

1. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj levied octroi on the salt trade to –
(c) raise funds for Swarajya
Correct Sentence: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj levied octroi on the salt trade to raise funds for Swarajya.
Explanation: While the text mentions protecting the local salt trade, the primary purpose of levying octroi was to generate revenue for Swarajya, which aligns with Shivaji Maharaj’s broader strategy of strengthening his administration and military.

Q.3 State your opinion.

1. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj built a naval force.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s decision to build a naval force was a strategic masterstroke that showcased his foresight in countering European colonial ambitions. Recognizing the importance of maritime power, he established a strong navy and constructed sea forts to protect the Konkan coast from Portuguese, British, and Siddi incursions. This naval force not only safeguarded Maratha sovereignty but also challenged the dominance of European powers, who relied heavily on their naval strength. His policies, as outlined in the Adnyapatra, emphasized keeping foreign traders at bay and preventing them from establishing fortified settlements near the coast, reflecting his proactive approach to defending Swarajya.

2. Maratha policies were anti-colonial.
The Maratha policies under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his successors were distinctly anti-colonial, as they actively resisted European domination. Unlike other contemporary Indian rulers who often collaborated with European powers, the Marathas adopted a policy of confrontation and vigilance. Shivaji Maharaj’s strategies, such as imposing octroi, building a navy, and restricting European settlements, were aimed at curbing colonial influence. Later, leaders like Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and Chimajiappa continued this resistance by launching campaigns against the Portuguese and others. The Marathas’ consistent efforts to challenge European powers, as seen in battles like Vasai and Wadgaon, underscore their commitment to preserving Indian sovereignty against colonial encroachment.

Q.4 Answer the following questions in detail.

1. Write about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s policies regarding the European traders as seen in his Adnyapatra.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s policies towards European traders, as articulated in the Adnyapatra, reflect his astute understanding of their colonial ambitions and his commitment to safeguarding Maratha sovereignty. He described the Portuguese, British, Dutch, and Danish as money lenders with ulterior motives, backed by their rulers who sought to seize Indian territory. His policies included:

• Maintaining Business Relations Only: Shivaji Maharaj advocated for strictly commercial interactions with Europeans, prohibiting them from gaining strategic footholds.
• Restricting Land Allotments: He forbade allocating land near sea forts, creeks, or coastlines for European factories to prevent them from fortifying their positions. If land was allotted, it had to be far from the coast and near a village to minimize strategic threats.
• Preventing Permanent Structures: Europeans were not allowed to build permanent buildings to ensure they could be easily dislodged if necessary.
• Imposing Fines: During military expeditions, foreign traders in enemy territories were fined and sent back to their factories, ensuring they were not treated as enemies but kept under control.
• Military Vigilance: Shivaji Maharaj warned against the Europeans’ tendency to flaunt their naval strength and build forts, urging constant vigilance to counter their advances.These policies demonstrate his proactive approach to limiting European influence while maintaining economic interactions, thereby protecting Swarajya from colonial domination.

2. Explain Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s resolute policy of safeguarding Maratha sovereignty.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s resolute policy of safeguarding Maratha sovereignty was rooted in his vision of establishing and preserving Swarajya, an independent Maratha state free from foreign domination. Key aspects of his policy included:

• Building a Naval Force: Recognizing the maritime strength of European powers, Shivaji Maharaj created a formidable navy and constructed sea forts like Sindhudurg to protect the Konkan coast and challenge colonial naval dominance.
• Strategic Fortifications: He emphasized the construction and control of forts, as seen in his campaigns to capture key strongholds like Kalyan and Bhiwandi, which alarmed the Portuguese and others.
• Economic Measures: By levying octroi on British salt trade and prohibiting the use of British coinage, he protected local trade and asserted economic independence.
• Diplomatic Pragmatism: While maintaining diplomatic relations with Europeans, as seen in treaties like the one with the Portuguese in 1670, he ensured terms favored Maratha interests, such as denying support to the Siddis and securing compensation for plundered ships.
• Military Resistance: Shivaji Maharaj led campaigns against European powers, such as the attack on Bardesh and the siege of Fonda, to curb their influence. His navy’s confrontations with the British at Khanderi-Underi further demonstrated his resolve.
• Cultural and Religious Protection: He opposed Portuguese policies of forced conversions in Goa, rallying local support and reinforcing his role as a protector of Indian traditions.These measures collectively highlight Shivaji Maharaj’s multifaceted strategy to preserve Maratha sovereignty, combining military strength, economic control, and diplomatic acumen to counter colonial threats.

3. Why did the strongest Maratha rule in India come to an end?

The decline of the Maratha Empire, which was once the strongest power in India, can be attributed to a combination of internal and external factors:

• Internal Divisions: Rivalries within the Maratha leadership, such as the conflict between Nanasaheb Peshwa and Raghunathrao, weakened the empire. Raghunathrao’s alliance with the British to secure the Peshwa position sowed discord and invited foreign intervention.
• Weak Leadership: After the death of strong leaders like Nana Phadnavis, the Maratha leadership under Bajirao Peshwa II lacked the vision and unity to counter external threats. Bajirao II’s decision to seek British asylum further eroded Maratha autonomy.
• Anglo-Maratha Wars: The British, under leaders like Warren Hastings and Lord Wellesley, capitalized on Maratha disunity. The Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803) and the Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817) resulted in decisive British victories, culminating in the end of Maratha rule in 1818.
• Third Battle of Panipat (1761): The catastrophic defeat against Ahmad Shah Abdali, which resulted in the loss of key leaders like Sadashivraobhau and Vishwasrao, severely weakened the Maratha military and morale, creating a power vacuum that the British later exploited.
• British Diplomacy: The British skillfully broke alliances, such as persuading the Nizam to abandon the coalition formed by Nana Phadnavis, isolating the Marathas diplomatically.
• Economic Strain: Continuous warfare and the loss of key territories reduced the Maratha revenue base, making it difficult to sustain a strong military against the well-funded British East India Company.
• Lack of Modernization: While the Marathas adopted some European military techniques (e.g., through French trainers like de Boigne), they could not match the British advancements in artillery, discipline, and strategy, which proved decisive in later conflicts.
  These factors collectively led to the disintegration of the Maratha Empire, allowing the British to establish supremacy in India by 1818.

Q.5 Observe the map on Page 29 and answer the questions based on it.

1. Where were the Dutch colonies on the west coast of India?
Answer: On the west coast of India, there were warehouses at Vengurla in Konkan and at Photo Novo (Parangi Pettai) and Tegna Pattam (Devanapattinam) in Karnataka.

2. Where did the French establish their colonies on the east coast of India?
Answer: The French had their colony in Pondicherry (Puducherry) on the east coast.

3. Whose warehouses were at Agra and Allahabad?
Answer: This warehouse is not mentioned on the map. This area was ruled by the Mughals.