Rise of Marathas and Peshwas — Exercise Solutions Guide
Solve every exercise on your own first, then cross-check your answers here. Understanding why an answer is correct matters more than memorising it.
I. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Q1. Who was the teacher and guardian of Shivaji?
(a) Kavi Kalash (b) Dadaji Kondadev (c) Jijabai (d) Ramdas
Q2. How was the Prime Minister of Maratha kings known?
(a) Deshmukh (b) Peshwa (c) Panditrao (d) Patil
Q3. Name the family priest of Shambhuji who influenced him in his day-to-day administration.
(a) Shahu (b) Anaji Datta (c) Dadaji Kondadev (d) Kavi Kalash
Q4. What was the backbone of Shivaji's army in the beginning?
(a) Artillery (b) Cavalry (c) Infantry (d) Elephantry
Q5. Who proclaimed wars and freed Malwa and Gujarat from Mughal domination?
(a) Balaji Vishwanath (b) Bajirao (c) Balaji Bajirao (d) Shahu
Additional MCQs
Q6. ______ language and literature also served to develop unity among the people.
(a) Tamil (b) Marathi (c) English (d) Telugu
Q7. Shivaji became totally independent after the death of his guardian ______.
(a) Kondadev (b) Tukaram (c) Ramdas (d) Shambhuji
Q8. ______ captured Puranthar from the Mughals.
(a) Shivaji (b) Shambhuji (c) Shahji Bhonsle (d) Shahu
Q9. Shivaji's political system consisted of ______ circles.
(a) two (b) three (c) four (d) five
Q10. Aurangzeb himself arrived in the Deccan in ______.
(a) 1659 (b) 1663 (c) 1664 (d) 1681
Q11. ______ now commanded an army of paid soldiers.
(a) Shivaji (b) Shahu (c) Balaji Bajirao (d) Kondadev
II. Fill in the Blanks
1. The spread of the ______ movement in Maharashtra helped the Maratha people develop consciousness and oneness.
The Bhakti movement, led by saints like Tukaram and Ramdas, promoted social equality and religious devotion in Marathi, creating a shared cultural identity among the Maratha people across castes.
2. ______ was the key official of revenue administration of the Peshwa.
The Kamavisdar was appointed by the Peshwa to head revenue administration. He maintained a small body of soldiers to police the area and ensure tax collection, and could pay one-third to one-half of expected revenue upfront.
3. The imperial moment of the Marathas sadly ended at ______ in 1761.
The Third Battle of Panipat in 1761 was a catastrophic defeat for the Marathas. Ahmad Shah Abdali's mobile artillery decimated both Maratha cavalry and infantry, ending their imperial ambitions.
4. ______ was the foreign minister in the Ashtapradhan.
The Sumant (also called Dubeer) was the foreign minister in Shivaji's Ashtapradhan council, responsible for managing diplomatic relations and foreign affairs.
5. Shambhuji succeeded Shivaji after a succession tussle with ______.
After Shivaji's death, there was a succession dispute. Shambhuji eventually became king, though Anaji Datto had supported a rival claimant.
Additional Fill in the Blanks
6. ______ was a gallant fighter, army general, and guerilla leader.
Shivaji pioneered guerilla warfare tactics in the mountainous terrain of the Western Ghats, using surprise attacks and swift retreats to outmanoeuvre larger Mughal and Bijapur armies.
7. ______ promoted a feeling of unity, especially in terms of social equality among the Marathas.
The Bhakti movement, with its emphasis on devotion over ritual and equality before God, helped break down caste barriers and forge Maratha unity.
8. ______ and ______ had considerable influence on the life of Shivaji.
Saint Tukaram and Samarth Ramdas were two Bhakti saints who deeply influenced Shivaji's thinking. Ramdas is often credited with providing spiritual guidance that shaped Shivaji's vision of Swaraj.
9. In 1659 Shivaji killed ______, a notable general of Bijapur.
Shivaji killed Afzal Khan, a powerful Bijapur general, using a concealed weapon during a meeting. This was a turning point that established Shivaji as a formidable military leader.
10. Shivaji designated eight ministers as the ______, each holding an important portfolio.
The Ashtapradhan (council of eight) was Shivaji's cabinet of ministers, each responsible for a key department of governance.
III. Match the Following
Textual
| # | Column A | Column B | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shahji Bhonsle | Shivaji's father | Shahji Bhonsle → Shivaji's father |
| 2 | Shambhuji | Son of Shivaji | Shambhuji → Son of Shivaji |
| 3 | Shahu | Shivaji's grandson | Shahu → Shivaji's grandson |
| 4 | Jijabai | Mother of Shivaji | Jijabai → Mother of Shivaji |
| 5 | Afzal Khan | General of Bijapur | Afzal Khan → General of Bijapur |
Additional Match the Following
| # | Column A | Column B | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Powerful headman | Patil | Patil → Village headman |
| 2 | Village accountant | Kulkarni | Kulkarni → Village accountant |
| 3 | Shivaji | Mughal revenue system | Shivaji → Influenced by Mughal revenue system |
| 4 | Nyayadhish | Chief Justice | Nyayadhish → Chief Justice |
| 5 | Sumant | Foreign Minister | Sumant → Foreign Minister |
IV. True or False (with Corrections)
Q1. The rocky and mountainous terrain gave protection to the Marathas from invaders.
Q2. Hymns composed in Sanskrit by the Bhakti saints were sung by people of all castes and classes.
Q3. Shivaji captured Puranthar from the Mughals.
Q4. Deshmukhs held sway over rural regions and their control was over between twenty and hundred villages.
Q5. Abdali invaded ten times before finally marching on Delhi.
Additional True or False
Q6. The Prime Minister of Maratha rulers was called the Peshwa.
Q7. Hymns composed in the Marathi language by Bhakti saints were sung by people of all castes and classes.
Q8. In 1656, the Mughal army was helpless when Shivaji again plundered Suraj.
Q9. Shivaji was influenced by the Mughal revenue system.
Q10. The imperial moment of the Marathas sadly ended at Panipat near Calcutta in 1761.
V. Assertion and Reason
Q1. Assertion (A): Soldiers were to live in forts and towns far away from home. Reason (R): Maratha soldiers were not permitted to retire from battlefields each year for the purpose of cultivating their land.
(a) R is the correct explanation of A (b) R is not the correct explanation of A (c) A is wrong and R is correct (d) A and R are wrong
Q2. Statement I: Judging from the ledgers of correspondence and account books, Peshwas were keen on accurate record-keeping. Statement II: Artillery decided the battle at Panipat in 1761.
(a) I is correct (b) II is correct (c) I and II are correct (d) I and II are false
Q3. Find the odd one out: Shahji, Shivaji, Shambhuji, Shahu, Rahuji, Bhonsle
Q4. Find the wrong pair:
1. Gaikwad — Baroda 2. Peshwa — Nagpur 3. Holkar — Indore 4. Shinde — Gwalior
Q5. Arrange events in chronological order:
(i) Shivaji became totally independent after the death of his guardian Kondadev (ii) Emperor Shahu died when Balaji Bajirao was Peshwa (iii) Shivaji resumed his military raids after his father's death and conquered Javali (iv) Balaji Vishwanath became Peshwa
Q6. Assertion (A): Shambhuji succeeded Shivaji after a succession tussle with Anaji Datto. Reason (R): Balaji Vishwanath began his career as a small revenue official and became Peshwa in 1713.
(a) R is the correct explanation of A (b) R is not the correct explanation of A (c) A and R are both correct (d) A is wrong and R is wrong
Q7. Find the wrong pair:
1. Panditrao — High Priest 2. Nyayadhish — Chief Justice 3. Sacheev — Secretary 4. Peshwa — Finance Minister
VI. Short Answer Questions
Q1. Impact of the Bhakti movement on Marathas.
Q2. Chauth and Sardeshmukhi.
- Chauth — one-fourth (25%) of the revenue as protection money
- Sardeshmukhi — an additional one-tenth (10%) as the chieftain's due
These taxes became major sources of Maratha income and were collected even from Mughal territories.
Q3. Role of Kamavisdar in Maratha revenue administration.
Q4. Execution of Shambhuji by Mughal Army.
Q5. Battle of Panipat fought in 1761.
Additional Short Answers
Q6. Write the geographical features of the Marathas.
Q7. Write the literature and language of the Marathas.
Q8. Write a note on the Peshwas.
VII. Detailed Answers
Q1. Examine the essential features of the Maratha administration under Shivaji.
Political System — Three Circles:
- Swaraj (centre) — directly administered territory
- Chauth and Sardeshmukhi territories — paid 25% + 10% for protection
- Plunder areas — raided for resources
Village Administration:
- Deshmukhs controlled clusters of 20-100 villages
- Each village had a Patil (headman) and Kulkarni (accountant)
- Village disputes handled by Panchayat
The Ashtapradhan (Council of Eight Ministers):
| Minister | Portfolio |
|---|---|
| Peshwa (Pantpradhan) | Prime Minister |
| Amatya (Mazumdar) | Finance Minister |
| Shurunavis (Sacheev) | Secretary |
| Waqia-Navis | Interior Minister |
| Senapati (Sar-i-Naubat) | Commander-in-Chief |
| Sumant (Dubeer) | Foreign Minister |
| Nyayadhish | Chief Justice |
| Panditrao | High Priest |
Army:
- Infantry was the backbone initially; cavalry grew in importance later
- Soldiers selected personally by Shivaji; forts well-guarded
- Strict discipline — soldiers could not retire seasonally for farming
Revenue:
- Influenced by the Mughal system
- Assessment based on actual yield: 3/5 to cultivator, 2/5 to government
- Chauth and Sardeshmukhi collected from non-Maratha territories
Judiciary:
- Civil cases decided by village Panchayats
- Criminal law based on Shastras (Hindu legal texts)
Q2. Describe Shivaji's confrontation with the Sultan of Bijapur.
1. After Kondadev's death (1649), Shivaji became independent and had his father's jagir transferred to him. 2. His army's strength was the Mavali foot soldiers, with whom he conquered hill forts near Pune. 3. He captured Puranthar from the Mughals, strengthening his position. 4. These military raids angered the Sultan of Bijapur, who held Shivaji's father Shahji captive. 5. Shahji was released after Shivaji promised to suspend raids. Shivaji kept his word until his father's death, using the time to strengthen his administration. 6. After his father's death, Shivaji resumed military expansion, conquering Javali from Chandrarao More in 1656. 7. In 1659, he killed Afzal Khan, a notable Bijapur general, in a daring encounter. 8. In 1663, he wounded and chased away Mughal general Shaista Khan (Aurangzeb's uncle). 9. In 1664, he plundered Surat, the major Mughal port on the Arabian Sea.
Q3. Briefly explain the consolidation of Maratha Power.
1. After his father's death, Shivaji resumed raids and conquered Javali (1656) from Chandrarao More. 2. He subordinated lesser Maratha chiefs around Pune. 3. Bijapur soldiers in hill fortresses were replaced with Shivaji's own commanders. 4. These moves alarmed Mughal officials; when they sent a punitive expedition, Shivaji boldly confronted them. 5. In 1659, he killed Afzal Khan, a notable Bijapur general. 6. In 1663, he wounded and chased away Mughal general Shaista Khan. 7. In 1664, he plundered Surat, the major Mughal port. 8. He was crowned Chhatrapati in 1674, formalising the establishment of Swaraj.
Q4. Compare the revenue administration of the Peshwas with that of Shivaji.
| Feature | Shivaji | Peshwas |
|---|---|---|
| System | Abolished zamindari; direct assessment | Headed by Kamavisdar |
| Collection | Chauth (1/4) and Sardeshmukhi (1/10 extra) | Contract auctioned annually |
| Farmer support | Loans during famine | Revenue collector paid 1/3 to 1/2 upfront |
| Record keeping | Village-level (Patil and Kulkarni) | Detailed ledgers and account books |
| Tax share | 2/5 to government, 3/5 to cultivator | Based on previous years' yields |
| Key officials | Patil, Kulkarni, Deshmukh | Kamavisdar with soldiers |
Q5. Write about Balaji Bajirao.
1. Emperor Shahu died in 1749 during Balaji Bajirao's tenure as Peshwa. 2. He forced contending factions to accept his conditions, consolidating power. 3. He moved the capital from Satara to Pune. 4. All power became concentrated in the Peshwa's office. 5. The Maratha warrior-peasant band was reorganised; soldiers could no longer retire seasonally to farm. 6. Soldiers lived in forts and towns away from home, trained as both infantry and horsemen. 7. Large guns were nominally under Maratha officers' command. 8. Northern frontiers reached Rajasthan, Delhi, and Punjab. 9. Raids from Nagpur targeted Bihar, Bengal, and Odisha. 10. Despite conflict with the Nizam over Karnataka, Tamil, Kannada, and Telugu regions came under Maratha control.
VIII. Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS)
Q1. Why did the Maratha Empire decline after Panipat despite having a strong administrative structure?
The Third Battle of Panipat (1761) was devastating, but the decline had deeper causes:
1. Military weaknesses — The Marathas underestimated Afghan artillery. Their cavalry-based strategy failed against mobile guns. 2. Lack of unity — Several Maratha commanders operated with different tactics and could not coordinate effectively. 3. Overextension — The Maratha Empire had expanded too far too fast, making it difficult to govern and defend. 4. Leadership vacuum — The death of key commanders at Panipat left a leadership void. 5. Peshwa factionalism — The Peshwa's growing power alienated other Maratha chiefs (Gaikwad, Holkar, Shinde), leading to internal rivalries. 6. Agricultural-military disconnect — Converting warrior-peasants into full-time soldiers weakened the economic base.
The administrative structure remained, but the political will and military capacity to sustain the empire were shattered.
Q2. How did geography shape Maratha military strategy?
The Western Ghats and Deccan plateau directly influenced Maratha warfare:
- Mountains and forts — The rugged terrain made it easy to defend hill forts. Shivaji built and captured over 200 forts.
- Guerilla tactics — The terrain favoured hit-and-run attacks, ambushes, and swift retreats rather than large set-piece battles.
- Cavalry focus — Horses could navigate the hilly terrain effectively, making cavalry the key strike force.
- Natural barriers — Mountain passes (ghats) could be defended by small forces against much larger armies.
- Monsoon advantage — During the monsoon, the Mughal army could not campaign effectively, giving Marathas time to regroup.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Saying Bhakti hymns were in Sanskrit — The Bhakti saints composed in Marathi, not Sanskrit. This is a very common exam trap.
2. Confusing Peshwa roles — In the Ashtapradhan, the Peshwa was the Prime Minister. In the Bahmani system, the Peshwa had a different role. Do not mix these up.
3. Saying Abdali invaded ten times — He invaded eight times, not ten. This distinction is often tested.
4. Confusing Peshwa with Nagpur — The Peshwa ruled from Pune, not Nagpur. The Bhonsles ruled from Nagpur.
5. Confusing Chauth and Sardeshmukhi amounts — Chauth is one-fourth (25%) and Sardeshmukhi is one-tenth (10%) extra. Do not swap them.
6. Saying Panipat is near Calcutta — Panipat is near Delhi, in Haryana. It has been the site of three historic battles (1526, 1556, 1761).
7. Confusing Shivaji's revenue share — Under Shivaji: 2/5 to government, 3/5 to cultivator. Under Peshwas: based on auction/previous yields. These are different systems.
8. Mixing up the Ashtapradhan portfolios — Amatya is Finance, not Peshwa. Peshwa is Prime Minister. Sumant is Foreign Minister. These specific roles are commonly tested.
9. Forgetting that Shambhuji was killed by the Mughals — Shambhuji was captured, tortured, and executed by Aurangzeb's forces in 1689. He did not die in battle.
Exam Checklist
- [ ] I can describe the geographical factors that aided Maratha power
- [ ] I can explain the role of the Bhakti movement in forging Maratha identity
- [ ] I can name all eight Ashtapradhan ministers and their portfolios
- [ ] I can define Chauth and Sardeshmukhi with their exact percentages
- [ ] I can describe Shivaji's three-circle political system (Swaraj, Chauth/Sardeshmukhi, Plunder)
- [ ] I can explain the village administration (Patil, Kulkarni, Deshmukh)
- [ ] I can describe Shivaji's military achievements (Afzal Khan, Shaista Khan, Surat)
- [ ] I can explain the role and appointment of the Kamavisdar
- [ ] I can list the key Peshwas in order (Balaji Vishwanath, Bajirao, Balaji Bajirao)
- [ ] I can explain the Battle of Panipat (1761) and why the Marathas lost
- [ ] I can compare Shivaji's revenue system with the Peshwas'
- [ ] I can handle Assertion-Reason and Statement-based questions correctly
- [ ] I can identify the five Maratha confederacy seats (Pune, Baroda, Indore, Gwalior, Nagpur)
- [ ] I can write about Shambhuji's rule and execution by the Mughals
- [ ] I can explain Balaji Bajirao's military reforms and capital shift to Pune
- [ ] I can arrange key Maratha events in chronological order