Explain the Anglo-Maratha wars in detail – (a) First Anglo-Maratha war (b) Second Anglo-Maratha war (c) Third Anglo-Maratha war

Answer:

(a) First Anglo-Maratha War (1775–1782): After the murder of Narayanrao Peshwa, Raghunathrao (Raghoba) sought British help to become Peshwa and signed the Treaty of Surat (1775). The Barbhai council led by Nana Phadnavis opposed him. The Treaty of Purandar (1776) failed. In 1779 the British army was defeated at Wadgaon and signed the Convention of Wadgaon. Mahadji Shinde mediated the Treaty of Salbai (1782), which restored the earlier position; the Marathas remained strong.

(b) Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803–1805): After the deaths of Mahadji Shinde and Nana Phadnavis the Maratha chiefs quarrelled. Defeated by Yashwantrao Holkar, Peshwa Bajirao II signed the Subsidiary Alliance with the British at Vasai (Treaty of Bassein, 1802). Shinde and Bhosale opposed it, but Arthur Wellesley defeated them at Assaye and Adgaon (1803). By the treaties of Deogaon (Bhosale) and Surji-Anjangaon (Shinde) they lost territory; Holkar signed the Treaty of Rajghat (1805). The Marathas came under British influence.

(c) Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817–1818): Bajirao II resented British control; the Treaty of Pune (1817) took away more of his power. He attacked the British Residency; the Marathas were defeated at Khadki (November 1817), Koregaon (January 1818) and Ashti (February 1818), where Bapu Gokhale was killed. Bajirao II surrendered in 1818 and was sent to Bithur on a pension. The Peshwa’s rule ended, Pratapsinh was made the ruler of a small Satara state, and the Maratha power came to an end.