MCQ on The Maratha Empire and Rise of New States

🟢 Easy (1–20)

1. Who was the founder of the Maratha Empire?
   a) Shivaji ✅
   b) Bajirao I
   c) Sambhaji
   d) Shahu
   Explanation: Shivaji established the Maratha Empire in the 17th century.
2. In which year was Shivaji crowned as Chhatrapati?
   a) 1670
   b) 1674 ✅
   c) 1660
   d) 1680
   Explanation: Shivaji was crowned at Raigad in 1674.
3. Which fort is associated with Shivaji’s coronation?
   a) Sinhagad
   b) Raigad ✅
   c) Pratapgad
   d) Rajgad
   Explanation: Raigad was Shivaji’s capital and coronation site.
4. Who was the first Peshwa of the Maratha Empire?
   a) Bajirao I
   b) Balaji Vishwanath ✅
   c) Nana Phadnavis
   d) Shahu
   Explanation: Balaji Vishwanath was appointed Peshwa in 1713.
5. Which Mughal ruler captured Shivaji but later released him?
   a) Babur
   b) Akbar
   c) Aurangzeb ✅
   d) Jahangir
   Explanation: Aurangzeb captured Shivaji in Agra but he escaped.
6. The administrative system introduced by Shivaji was known as:
   a) Mansabdari
   b) Ashta Pradhan ✅
   c) Jagirdari
   d) Iqta
   Explanation: Shivaji had a council of eight ministers called Ashta Pradhan.
7. Who succeeded Shivaji after his death?
   a) Bajirao I
   b) Sambhaji ✅
   c) Shahu
   d) Balaji Vishwanath
   Explanation: Sambhaji, Shivaji’s son, became ruler in 1680.
8. What was the capital of the Maratha Empire under Shivaji?
   a) Pune
   b) Kolhapur
   c) Raigad ✅
   d) Satara
   Explanation: Raigad was Shivaji’s chosen capital.
9. What was the main source of revenue for the Marathas?
   a) Land tax
   b) Chauth and Sardeshmukhi ✅
   c) Import duty
   d) Temple tax
   Explanation: These were taxes collected from other territories.
10. Who was known as the “Napoleon of India”?
    a) Sambhaji
    b) Bajirao I ✅
    c) Nana Saheb
    d) Daulat Rao Scindia
    Explanation: Bajirao I never lost a battle and expanded Maratha territory.
11. Which battle marked the fall of Maratha power?
    a) Buxar
    b) Panipat (1761) ✅
    c) Plassey
    d) Haldighati
    Explanation: The Third Battle of Panipat was a major defeat for the Marathas.
12. Which empire did the Marathas primarily oppose?
    a) Mughal ✅
    b) Delhi Sultanate
    c) British
    d) Bahmani
    Explanation: Marathas rose by challenging Mughal supremacy.
13. Who was the Maratha commander at Panipat (1761)?
    a) Shahu
    b) Sadashivrao Bhau ✅
    c) Bajirao II
    d) Ragunath Rao
    Explanation: He led the Maratha army in the Third Battle of Panipat.
14. Which Maratha ruler signed the Treaty of Purandar with the Mughals?
    a) Shivaji ✅
    b) Sambhaji
    c) Balaji Vishwanath
    d) Bajirao I
    Explanation: The treaty was signed in 1665 with Raja Jai Singh on behalf of Aurangzeb.
15. Who led the Maratha administration under Shahu?
    a) Nana Phadnavis
    b) Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath ✅
    c) Tarabai
    d) Raghuji Bhonsle
    Explanation: Balaji Vishwanath strengthened Maratha administration.
16. Who founded the Holkar dynasty in Indore?
    a) Malhar Rao Holkar ✅
    b) Mahadji Scindia
    c) Baji Rao II
    d) Daulat Rao Scindia
    Explanation: Malhar Rao Holkar established the Holkar rule.
17. Which Maratha leader signed the Treaty of Bassein (1802)?
    a) Daulat Rao Scindia
    b) Baji Rao II ✅
    c) Nana Phadnavis
    d) Raghunath Rao
    Explanation: The treaty made the Marathas subordinate to the British.
18. The Maratha navy was strengthened under:
    a) Shivaji ✅
    b) Shahu
    c) Bajirao I
    d) Raghunath Rao
    Explanation: Shivaji built a strong coastal defense and navy.
19. Which new state emerged in Hyderabad after the Mughal decline?
    a) Nizam’s Dominion ✅
    b) Awadh
    c) Bengal
    d) Mysore
    Explanation: The Asaf Jahi dynasty founded Hyderabad.
20. Who established the independent rule of Awadh?
    a) Safdar Jang
    b) Saadat Khan ✅
    c) Shuja-ud-Daula
    d) Murshid Quli Khan
    Explanation: Saadat Khan was appointed Nawab of Awadh in 1722.

🟡 Moderate (21–40)

21. The title “Chhatrapati” means:
    a) Commander
    b) Emperor ✅
    c) Landlord
    d) Guardian
    Explanation: It means ‘paramount sovereign.’
22. Who was Tarabai?
    a) Shivaji’s mother
    b) Shivaji’s wife
    c) Rajaram’s widow who led Maratha resistance ✅
    d) Sambhaji’s daughter
    Explanation: She led the Marathas against the Mughals after Rajaram’s death.
23. Who was known as the ‘Hero of Panipat’?
    a) Sadashivrao Bhau
    b) Vishwas Rao
    c) Mahadji Scindia ✅
    d) Raghoba
    Explanation: Mahadji Scindia revived Maratha power after Panipat.
24. Which regional kingdom emerged in Bengal?
    a) Nizam
    b) Murshid Quli Khan’s rule ✅
    c) Scindia
    d) Awadh
    Explanation: He shifted the capital from Dhaka to Murshidabad.
25. Which kingdom rose in Punjab after Mughals?
    a) Marathas
    b) Rajputs
    c) Sikhs ✅
    d) Awadh
    Explanation: Sikhs formed a powerful kingdom under Ranjit Singh.
26. Which Maratha ruler was defeated in the Second Anglo-Maratha War?
    a) Baji Rao I
    b) Baji Rao II ✅
    c) Raghuji Bhonsle
    d) Nana Sahib
    Explanation: He was forced to sign the Treaty of Bassein.
27. Who among the following was not a Maratha state founder?
    a) Malhar Rao Holkar
    b) Ranjit Singh ✅
    c) Raghunath Rao
    d) Mahadji Scindia
    Explanation: Ranjit Singh founded the Sikh Empire.
28. Who was the founder of the Scindia dynasty?
    a) Mahadji Scindia
    b) Daulat Rao Scindia
    c) Ranoji Scindia ✅
    d) Tukoji Holkar
    Explanation: Ranoji was appointed by Peshwa Bajirao I.
29. The Sikh Empire was established in which region?
    a) Bengal
    b) Gujarat
    c) Punjab ✅
    d) Maharashtra
    Explanation: Punjab was under Sikh rule in the early 19th century.
30. What was ‘Chauth’?
    a) Quarter share of produce collected by Marathas ✅
    b) Road tax
    c) Army tax
    d) Export tax
    Explanation: Chauth was 25% of revenue or produce.
31. Which Maratha stronghold was built on a hilltop?
    a) Fort William
    b) Raigad ✅
    c) Agra
    d) Red Fort
    Explanation: Raigad is situated on a steep hill.
32. Which Maratha leader signed a treaty with the British at Surat in 1775?
    a) Madhav Rao
    b) Baji Rao I
    c) Raghunath Rao ✅
    d) Nana Phadnavis
    Explanation: Treaty of Surat was part of Anglo-Maratha conflicts.
33. What was the role of Nana Phadnavis?
    a) General
    b) Revenue minister
    c) Diplomat and administrator ✅
    d) Naval commander
    Explanation: He was the chief statesman of the Maratha Confederacy.
34. Which battle involved Ahmed Shah Abdali and Marathas?
    a) First Panipat
    b) Second Panipat
    c) Third Panipat ✅
    d) Battle of Buxar
    Explanation: Fought in 1761; Marathas were defeated.
35. Which state was ruled by the Bhonsles of Nagpur?
    a) Gujarat
    b) Bengal
    c) Berar ✅
    d) Delhi
    Explanation: The Bhonsles ruled in present-day Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh.
36. Who declared himself as Peshwa after Balaji Baji Rao?
    a) Baji Rao II
    b) Raghunath Rao
    c) Madhav Rao I ✅
    d) Nana Phadnavis
    Explanation: Madhav Rao I was a capable leader post-Panipat.
37. Which Maratha leader created a powerful navy?
    a) Shivaji ✅
    b) Sambhaji
    c) Bajirao I
    d) Raghunath Rao
    Explanation: Shivaji emphasized naval defense against European powers.
38. Which British governor signed Treaty of Bassein?
    a) Warren Hastings
    b) Lord Wellesley ✅
    c) Lord Cornwallis
    d) Lord Dalhousie
    Explanation: Wellesley aimed to establish British supremacy in India.
39. Maratha influence declined after:
    a) 1761 ✅
    b) 1757
    c) 1857
    d) 1782
    Explanation: Panipat (1761) was a turning point.
40. What was Sardeshmukhi?
    a) A land grant
    b) 10% extra tax over Chauth ✅
    c) Inheritance tax
    d) War indemnity
    Explanation: Marathas claimed it as hereditary right.

🔴 Hard (41–50)

41. Who led the Maratha resistance after Shivaji’s death?
    a) Tarabai ✅
    b) Sambhaji
    c) Shahu
    d) Balaji Vishwanath
    Explanation: Tarabai led a faction during succession disputes.
42. Who was the last Peshwa of the Maratha Empire?
    a) Raghunath Rao
    b) Baji Rao II ✅
    c) Madhav Rao II
    d) Nana Phadnavis
    Explanation: Baji Rao II was defeated by the British in 1818.
43. Which Maratha kingdom was known for resistance against Hyder Ali?
    a) Bhonsle
    b) Scindia
    c) Holkar ✅
    d) Gaekwad
    Explanation: Holkars clashed with Mysore rulers.
44. Which treaty ended the First Anglo-Maratha War?
    a) Treaty of Purandar
    b) Treaty of Salbai ✅
    c) Treaty of Bassein
    d) Treaty of Allahabad
    Explanation: Signed in 1782, restoring status quo.
45. Who was known as the “Maratha Machiavelli”?
    a) Raghunath Rao
    b) Nana Phadnavis ✅
    c) Madhav Rao I
    d) Mahadji Scindia
    Explanation: His political acumen earned this title.
46. Who were the main contenders in the Third Anglo-Maratha War?
    a) Marathas and British ✅
    b) Mughals and Marathas
    c) Sikhs and British
    d) Marathas and Afghans
    Explanation: Final conflict ending Maratha power.
47. Which state was ruled by the Gaekwads?
    a) Indore
    b) Gwalior
    c) Baroda ✅
    d) Berar
    Explanation: Baroda (Vadodara) was ruled by Gaekwad dynasty.
48. Who restructured the Maratha administration after Panipat?
    a) Nana Phadnavis ✅
    b) Baji Rao II
    c) Daulat Rao Scindia
    d) Raghunath Rao
    Explanation: He restored stability post-defeat.
49. Which Maratha leader met Napoleon’s envoy in Egypt?
    a) Mahadji Scindia ✅
    b) Baji Rao I
    c) Raghunath Rao
    d) Madhav Rao II
    Explanation: Attempted anti-British alliance.
50. Which Peshwa developed Pune into a major city?
    a) Bajirao I ✅
    b) Baji Rao II
    c) Nana Sahib
    d) Raghunath Rao
    Explanation: He made Pune the political capital.