The Second Anglo-Maratha War () was a turning point in the story of British expansion in India. Internal fights among the Marathas led directly to the Treaty of Bassein (), an agreement that placed the Marathas under British control. This topic is essential for UPSC history preparation and competitive exams because it shows how British political interference changed India's history.
🎯 In this chapter, you will understand:
- The internal conflicts that weakened the Maratha Confederacy.
- The key events that forced Peshwa Bajirao II to seek British help.
- The main terms of the Treaty of Bassein () and the Subsidiary Alliance.
- How the British defeated major Maratha leaders and established supremacy.
💡 Why this topic matters: It marks the shift of power in India from the indigenous Maratha leaders to the British East India Company.
🧠 Core Idea: Internal rivalries among Maratha chiefs allowed the English East India Company to use diplomacy and military force to bring the Maratha state under its control.
📌 Second Anglo-Maratha War and Treaty of Bassein (): Causes, Course, and Significance
Internal disputes among Maratha leaders led to a decisive British victory that established English dominance across the Indian subcontinent.
The Unfolding Events: Course of the War Leading to Bassein ()
Weakness in the Peshwa's leadership and constant fighting among Maratha chiefs created an opportunity for the English East India Company to step in.
- (i) The death of Peshwa Madhavrao Narayan in caused political instability. Bajirao II became the new Peshwa, but he lacked effective leadership skills.
- (ii) The influential minister Nana Phadnavis kept foreign influence out of Maratha affairs. However, his death in removed the last leader who could keep the Maratha chiefs united.
- (iii) The continuous internal fights created a power vacuum that the British used to gain a clear strategic advantage.
Jaswantrao Holkar’s Retaliation and the Peshwa’s Flight for British Protection
A personal feud sparked an open war among the Maratha leaders, driving the Peshwa to seek protection from the British.
- (a) On , Peshwa Bajirao II ordered the execution of Vithuji Holkar, brother of the powerful ruler Jaswantrao Holkar.
- (b) To avenge his brother's death, Jaswantrao Holkar attacked the combined armies of the Peshwa and Sindhia, defeating them at the Battle of Hadapsar near Poona on .
- (c) Fearing for his life, Peshwa Bajirao II fled to Bassein and asked the British for protection.
📌 The Treaty of Bassein (): Terms and Loss of Sovereignty
Signed on , the Treaty of Bassein made the Peshwa dependent on the English East India Company, severely weakening Maratha independence.
- The treaty terms effectively turned the Peshwa's government into a dependent state under the supervision of a British Resident.
Critical Provisions of the Treaty: Imposing the Subsidiary Alliance System
The main terms included strict political and military restrictions on the Maratha state:
- (i) A permanent British force of 6,000 troops with artillery was stationed inside the Peshwa's territory.
- (ii) The Peshwa surrendered lands yielding an annual revenue of Rs 26 lakh to pay for these British troops.
- (iii) The commercial city and port of Surat was handed over to the British.
- (iv) The Peshwa gave up all claims to collect chauth (tax) from the Nizam of Hyderabad.
- (v) All disputes involving the Nizam and the Gaekwad had to be submitted to British arbitration.
- (vi) The Peshwa agreed not to employ any European powers hostile to the English in his service.
- (vii) Foreign affairs were placed under the control of the British Resident, ending independent diplomacy.
📌 Aftermath: British Military Dominance Over Maratha Chiefs ()
Other Maratha leaders viewed the treaty as a surrender of their independence. This led to fighting between individual Maratha houses and the British armies.
Defeat of Major Maratha Factions and Post-Bassein Treaties
British forces defeated the remaining Maratha powers one by one, forcing each ruler to sign separate peace agreements:
Key battle locations during the Second Anglo-Maratha War () - Bhonsle of Nagpur: Defeated and forced to sign the Treaty of Devgaon on .
- Sindhia of Gwalior: Defeated and forced to sign the Treaty of Surajianjangaon on .
- Holkar of Indore: Continued fighting but eventually signed the Treaty of Rajpurghat in .
Holkar's Attempt at an Anti-English Coalition
Jaswantrao Holkar made a final effort to stop the British expansion across India.
- (a) In , Jaswantrao Holkar tried to unite other Indian rulers into a combined alliance against the British.
- (b) Other princes were already weakened or isolated and did not offer effective support.
- (c) The failure of this attempt left the Maratha leaders divided and subject to British control.
⚡ Quick Revision Capsule: Second Anglo-Maratha War Treaties
A quick summary of key treaties signed during and after the Second Anglo-Maratha War:
| Treaty Name | Year Signed | Parties Involved & Key Result |
|---|---|---|
| Treaty of Bassein | Peshwa Bajirao II and British East India Company; accepted Subsidiary Alliance. | |
| Treaty of Devgaon | Bhonsle of Nagpur and British East India Company; surrendered territory. | |
| Treaty of Surajianjangaon | Sindhia of Gwalior and British East India Company; lost Ganga-Yamuna Doab region. | |
| Treaty of Rajpurghat | Holkar of Indore and British East India Company; ended hostilities. |
📝 Summary
The Second Anglo-Maratha War () began due to internal rivalries among Maratha rulers. When Peshwa Bajirao II fled after his defeat by Holkar at Hadapsar, he signed the Treaty of Bassein () with the British. This agreement introduced British troops into Poona and removed the Peshwa's political independence. Subsequent military campaigns brought the Bhonsle, Sindhia, and Holkar families under subsidiary control.
🚀 Quick Revision Points
Essential facts to review before examinations:
- (i) The death of Nana Phadnavis in removed central leadership among the Marathas.
- (ii) The Battle of Hadapsar () caused Bajirao II to flee to Bassein.
- (iii) The Treaty of Bassein () established British supremacy in Western India.
- (iv) British commanders defeated Bhonsle (), Sindhia (), and Holkar () in succession.
- 💡 Exam Tip: Focus on the provisions of the Treaty of Bassein and how the Subsidiary Alliance system was applied to the Maratha state.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What caused the Second Anglo-Maratha War?
A1: Internal power struggles among Maratha leaders, specifically between the Peshwa, Sindhia, and Holkar, led Bajirao II to seek British protection through the Treaty of Bassein.Q2: Why is the Treaty of Bassein () considered significant?
A2: It forced the Peshwa to accept a British garrison in Poona, surrender revenues, and give up independent foreign relations, giving the Company control over the Maratha heartland.Q3: Which major treaties were signed after the war?
A3: The Treaty of Devgaon () with Bhonsle, the Treaty of Surajianjangaon () with Sindhia, and the Treaty of Rajpurghat () with Holkar.
