Anglo-Maratha War: Causes and consequences
The Anglo - Maratha war fought b/w British EEIC and Marathas from 1775 to 1818 were the significant conflicts that shaped the course of the Indian history. These wars resulted in eventual end of the Maratha power and the establishment of British supremacy in the Deccan Region of South India.
Causes
- The EEIC aim to expand its territory and influence in India. The Maratha empire being a significant power in Western and Central India became a challenge to the British expansionist ambitions
- The British wanted to establish their rule over major trade routes and ports particularly in the western coastal region of India which was under the control of Marathas
- The Death of Maratha Peshwa Madhav Rao I in 1772 led to a succession dispute amongst the Maratha chiefs which provided an opportunity to the British to interfere.
- The conflicts in the Maratha confederacy made it vulnerable to external intervention.
1st Anglo - Maratha War (1775-1782)
The British support for Raghunath Rao as Peshwa and internal conflict within Maratha empire led to the outbreak of the 1st war. In the initial phase of the war the Marathas achieve a significant victory forcing the British to sign the Treaty of Wadgaon (1779) and Salbai (1782). The British agreed to withdraw support to Raghunath Rao and recognize Madhav Rao II as the legitimate peshwa. The British returned all the captured Maratha territories including Salestte and Bharuch except Bassein. In return the Marathas restored to the British the territories they had captured in Bengal and Bombay Presidency. Both the side agreed to not interfere in each other affairs and maintain peace.
2nd Anglo-Maratha War (1803-1805)
The Treaty of Bassein signed in 1802 became a immediate back ground for this war. It was signed between the British and Peshwa Balaji Rao II. The Treaty made the Peshwa a British Puppet. This was opposed by other Maratha chiefs which led to conflict. The British forces under the command of Arthur Wellesley achieved decisive victory over the Maratha forces in the Battles of Assaye and Argaon (1803). After the defeat the Maratha chiefs were forced to surrender the territory to British which weakened their power & influence. The Maratha chiefs like Bhonsle signed the Treaty of Deogaon 1803, Sindhia signed the treaty of Sri Arigaon 1803, Rajpughal treaty by Holkars in 1805.
3rd Anglo-Maratha (1817-1818)
The Marathas attempted to regain their lost territory and power leading to the outbreak of the war. The British wanted to eliminate the Maratha threat once and for all and establish their dominance over the southern part of subcontinent. The British launched a series of military campaigns decisively defeating Marathas. The Defeat of Marathas led to annexation of Peshwa territory and Dissolution of Maratha Confederacy. Peshwa Bajirao II was dethroned and pensioned off to Bithur near Kanpur where he died in 1851.
Consequences of Anglo-Maratha War
- The Maratha empire which was once a dominant power in India was reduced to a collection of princely states under British paramountcy. The Peshwa was deposed and the Maratha chiefs lost their political autonomy. A significant part of the kingdom was annexed by British which weakened the Marathas power base.
- The EEIC expanded its control over the large part of India including Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. This territorial expansion solidified the British dominance in the Indian subcontinent. The British established a new administrative structure to govern the annex territory integrating them into British colonial framework.
- The British implemented a new revenue policy to extract resources from the annexed territories. The traditional agrarian economy was disrupted leading to economic hardship for the local population
- The resistance of the Maratha against the British colonialism inspired the future generation of Indian Nationalist. The leaders like Tilak and the revolutionaries like Chapekar brothers inspired from Maratha struggles
- The Maratha warrior like the Peshwa and Chhatrapati became the symbol of National pride and resistance against foreign make their legacy continue to inspire contemporary moment for social and political Justice.
Treaty and Battles of Anglo-Maratha War
Battle of Wadgaon, 1779
The part of first Anglo-Maratha war were Maratha forces led by Mahadji Scindia and Tukoji Rao Holkar defeated British forces. The British had to sign a treaty of Wadgaon in 1779.
Battle of Assaye, 1803
It was the part of second Anglo-Maratha war in which the British forces led by Arthur Wellesley defeated the Maratha forces led by Daulat Rao Sindhia and Raghu ji Bhosle.
Battle of Karegaon, 1818
A major battle fought during the third Anglo-Maratha war in which British were led by Captain Francis fought a much larger Maratha army led by Peshwa Baji Rao II. This battle remember as a symbol of dalit resistance and pride. To commemorate the victory, the company commission a victory pillar in karegaon.
Treaty of Surat, 1775
It was an arrangement between British East India company and Raghunath Rao in which he agreed to surrender Salsette and Bassen to the British in exchange of 2500 British soldiers to regain power leading to fist Anglo-Maratha war. However, the Calcutta council annulled the treaty leading to Treaty of Turendhar 1776.
Treaty of Salbai, 17th May 1782
Signed between the Marathas and the company. It led to the end of first Anglo-Maratha war and established peace between two parties that lasted 20 years until second Anglo-Maratha war
Treaty of Basseim, 31st Dec 1802
Signed between the company and Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao II. It was subsidiary alliance treaty which became the immediate cause of second Anglo-Maratha war.
Treaty of Devagon, 17th Dec 1803
Signed between the English East India company and Raghu ji Bhosle. It force the Bhosle dynasty to accept the British resident and subsidiary force in Nagpur making them dependent on Britishers.
Treaty of Suri Arjargaon, 30th Dec 1803
Signed between company and Daulat Rao Scindia which make the Scindia's dependent upon the British as a British protectorate.
Treaty of Rajpurghat, 24th Dec 1805
Signed between company and Yashwant Rao Horka which led to end of second Anglo-Maratha war and weakened the Maratha confederacy
Treaty of Poona, 1817
It was the main treaty of the war which significantly reduce the power and authority of Peshwa Baji Rao II.
Treaty of Mandsore, 6th Jan 1818
Signed between Malhar Rao of Indore and the company. It mark the end of Horka's resistance in the third Anglo-Maratha war.