The Maratha Empire arose in the 17th century as a formidable indigenous power challenging Mughal hegemony across peninsular and northern India. Founded by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the state was formally proclaimed with his Vedic coronation (Rajyabhisheka) at Raigad Fort on 6 June 1674. Shivaji deployed Ganimi Kava (guerrilla warfare), constructed naval fortifications along the Konkan coast under Kanhoji Angre, and concluded the Treaty of Purandar (1665) with Mirza Raja Jai Singh. His administrative apparatus was led by the Ashtapradhan (Council of Eight Ministers), comprising the Peshwa (Prime Minister), Amatya (Finance), and Senapati (Commander-in-Chief). Financial revenue relied on the assessment of Chauth (one-fourth of land revenue collected from non-Maratha territories) and Sardeshmukhi (an additional ten percent levy based on hereditary claims). Under the hereditary Peshwa leadership beginning with Balaji Vishwanath in 1713, executive authority shifted to Pune. Peshwa Baji Rao I (r. 1720–1740) championed Hindu Pad Padshahi, launching rapid northern military expeditions across Malwa, Gujarat, and Bundelkhand. Maratha expansion reached Attock in modern Pakistan under Raghunathrao, but suffered a strategic catastrophe against Ahmad Shah Durrani at the Third Battle of Panipat on 14 January 1761, fragmenting the empire into autonomous confederate houses: Scindias, Holkars, Gaekwads, and Bhonsles.
High-yield conceptual summaries for competitive exams and rapid revision.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was crowned at Raigad in 1674, formalizing sovereign Maratha rule (Swarajya) with a specialized naval and hill-fort defense system.
Administrative governance operated under the Ashtapradhan council, with primary fiscal revenue derived from Chauth (25%) and Sardeshmukhi (10%) levies.
Executive leadership shifted to the Chitpavan Brahmin Peshwas in 1713 under Balaji Vishwanath, transforming the polity into an extensive confederacy.
Peshwa Baji Rao I expanded Maratha control across central and northern India through lightning cavalry campaigns, defeating Nizam-ul-Mulk at Palkhed (1728).
The Maratha army under Sadashivrao Bhau was defeated by Ahmad Shah Durrani at the Third Battle of Panipat on 14 January 1761, halting northern expansion.
Showing 25 Curated Questions50 Total in Bank
1ID: GK-HIST-00492
mediumBritish Colonial Rule
Through which treaty was the First Anglo-Maratha War concluded in 1782?
Verified Explanation
The Treaty of Salbai was signed on 17 May 1782 between the British East India Company and the Maratha Empire, establishing peace for two decades.
2ID: GK-HIST-01008
hardMughal Empire & Regional Kingdoms
In Maratha fiscal administration, while 'Chauth' was a levy of 25% (one-fourth) of the assessed revenue, what was the exact additional percentage levied as 'Sardeshmukhi' based on the claim of hereditary headship?
Verified Explanation
In Maratha fiscal policy, 'Chauth' (literally one-fourth, or 25%) was levied on non-Maratha territories in exchange for protection from Maratha raids. In addition, 'Sardeshmukhi' was an extra 10% levy (one-tenth) extracted by Shivaji and later Peshwas based on the legal claim of being the hereditary supreme head (Sardeshmukh) of the Maratha homeland.
3ID: GK-LANG-00038
mediumBrahmi, Kharosthi, Devanagari & Ancient Scripts
Which historic cursive script was widely used for administrative and revenue documentation by the Maratha Empire and Peshwas from the 13th century to the 20th century?
Verified Explanation
The Modi script was a cursive writing system used to write Marathi in administration and accounting from the Yadava and Maratha periods through the 20th century.
4ID: GK-LANG-00348
easyBrahmi, Kharosthi, Devanagari & Ancient Scripts
Which cursive script was extensively used for official record-keeping, administrative correspondence, and revenue documentation in the Maratha Empire from the 17th century?
Verified Explanation
The Modi script is a cursive script designed for rapid administrative and revenue writing, widely used throughout the Maratha Empire until Devanagari became the standard print script.
5ID: GK-LANG-00470
mediumBrahmi, Kharosthi, Devanagari & Ancient Scripts
Which ancient cursive script, historically used for Maratha administrative and revenue records from the 13th to 20th centuries, was attributed to the minister Hemadpant?
Verified Explanation
The Modi script was the historical cursive script of the Marathi language, widely utilized in Maratha administration and the Peshwa archives (Peshwe Daftar) in Pune.
6ID: GK-LANG-00527
easyBrahmi, Kharosthi, Devanagari & Ancient Scripts
Which historical cursive script was historically developed and used in Maharashtra for rapid administrative bookkeeping during the Maratha Empire?
Verified Explanation
Modi is a cursive shorthand script developed in Maharashtra (traditionally attributed to Hemadpant) that allowed scribes to write rapidly without lifting the pen, extensively used across the Maratha Empire.
7ID: GK-TRIBE-00470
hardHistorical Tribal Uprisings & Leaders
The Tarapur Rebellion (1842–1854) in the Bastar region of central India was fought by the tribal community primarily in protest against which policy imposed under Anglo-Maratha administrative control?
Verified Explanation
The Tarapur Rebellion lasted from 1842 to 1854 under the reign of King Bhupal Deo of Bastar. The local tribal population and Diwan of Tarapur revolted against the heavy annual tribute and excessive tax burdens imposed by the British-administered Maratha court of Nagpur, successfully compelling the authorities to reduce revenue demands.
8ID: GK-HIST-00807
mediumMughal Empire & Regional Kingdoms
In Maratha fiscal policy, what was the distinction between the levies known as 'Chauth' and 'Sardeshmukhi'?
Verified Explanation
Chauth amounted to one-fourth (25%) of standard land revenue assessed on neighbouring districts outside the Swarajya territory in exchange for protection against Maratha raids. Sardeshmukhi was an additional 10% assessment claimed by Shivaji on the basis of his position as supreme hereditary headman (Sar-Deshmukh) of the Deccan.
9ID: GK-ART-00620
mediumIndian Paintings & Handicrafts
Tanjore (Thanjavur) painting, which evolved under Maratha rulers in Tamil Nadu, is distinguished by which unique artistic embellishment?
Verified Explanation
Thanjavur paintings are crafted on teak wood boards using gesso work (limestone and glue paste) covered with pure 22-karat gold foils and glass beads/gemstones.
10ID: GK-LANG-00144
mediumBrahmi, Kharosthi, Devanagari & Ancient Scripts
Which cursive script was historically used by administrative scribes and accountants in Maharashtra during the Maratha Empire and Peshwa rule?
Verified Explanation
Modi script was a cursive script created and widely used for writing Marathi in administrative, business, and revenue records from the 14th century through the Peshwa and British periods.
11ID: GK-LANG-00592
mediumBrahmi, Kharosthi, Devanagari & Ancient Scripts
Which cursive shorthand script was historically employed across the Maratha Empire for rapid official correspondence, land grants, and administrative revenue records in Marathi?
Verified Explanation
Modi script was developed during the Yadava period and extensively popularized by Balaji Avaji under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the Peshwas for swift administrative documentation without lifting the pen.
Which historic citadel in Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu, famously dubbed the 'Troy of the East' by the British for its unassailable triple-hill fortification (Rajagiri, Krishnagiri, and Chandrayandurg), served as an impregnable Maratha base under Chhatrapati Rajaram?
Verified Explanation
Gingee Fort spans three separate granite hillocks connected by massive stone walls. Chhatrapati Shivaji praised it as the most impregnable fortress in India, and it successfully withstood an eight-year Mughal siege under Zulfiqar Khan.
13ID: GK-TRIBE-00528
hardHistorical Tribal Uprisings & Leaders
Following the British annexation of the Peshwa's territory after the Third Anglo-Maratha War in 1818, the Bhils of Khandesh rose in a widespread revolt from 1819 to 1825 under the leadership of which warrior?
Verified Explanation
Following the British takeover of Khandesh in 1818, the Bhils under Chil Naik, Sewaram, and other sardars rose against Company rule and the disruption of traditional hill transit tolls. The British deployed Mountstuart Elphinstone and Major Briggs to suppress the revolt through military patrols and founding the Bhil Corps.
14ID: GK-HIST-00112
mediumBritish Colonial
Which treaty ended the First Anglo-Maratha War in 1782, establishing a 20-year peace between the Maratha Empire and the East India Company?
Verified Explanation
The Treaty of Salbai was signed on 17 May 1782 between Warren Hastings and Mahadaji Shinde, recognizing Madhavrao II as Peshwa.
15ID: GK-HIST-00706
easyMughal Empire & Regional Kingdoms
Which Maratha sovereign created the advisory council of eight ministers known as the 'Ashtapradhan' to administer his state?
Verified Explanation
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj established the Ashtapradhan council at his coronation in 1674 to oversee military, diplomatic, intelligence, and revenue affairs. The council was headed by the Peshwa (Prime Minister) and included ministers such as the Amatya, Senapati, and Nyayadhish.
16ID: GK-HIST-00707
mediumMughal Empire & Regional Kingdoms
In the fiscal administration of the Maratha Empire, what was the nature of the levy known as 'Chauth'?
Verified Explanation
Chauth was an assessment amounting to one-fourth (25%) of the land revenue collected by the Marathas from neighbouring provinces of the Mughal Empire and the Deccan Sultanates in exchange for guaranteeing immunity against plunder. Sardeshmukhi was an additional 10% levy.
17ID: GK-HIST-00802
easyMughal Empire & Regional Kingdoms
In the Maratha administrative council of eight ministers (Ashta Pradhan) established by Chhatrapati Shivaji, which minister served as the Prime Minister overseeing civil and military affairs?
Verified Explanation
Shivaji instituted the Ashta Pradhan council where the Peshwa (or Pant Pradhan) functioned as the chief minister responsible for general administration and state welfare. The Amatya handled finance and accounts, the Sachiv managed royal edicts and correspondence, and the Senapati directed the military forces.
18ID: GK-HIST-00637
hardBritish Colonial Rule
The Treaty of Salbai, signed in May 1782 between the British East India Company and Mahadji Shinde, brought a conclusion to which major conflict?
Verified Explanation
The Treaty of Salbai was signed on 17 May 1782, ending the First Anglo-Maratha War (1775–1782) and establishing 20 years of peace between the Company and the Maratha Empire.
The Halba Rebellion (1774–1779), one of the earliest documented tribal armed uprisings in central India which sought to defend regional independence against Maratha and British forces, took place in which princely state?
Verified Explanation
The Halba Rebellion broke out in 1774 in Bastar following the death of King Dalpat Deo. The Halba tribal army supported Prince Jogpal Deo in a war of succession against Daryao Deo (who was backed by the Maratha Bhonsles of Nagpur and British East India Company), leading to widespread bloodshed before its suppression in 1779.
Following the British East India Company's conquest of the Maratha Peshwa territories in 1818, the protracted Bhil Revolt of 1818–1831 in Khandesh was organized under the leadership of which tribal chieftain?
Verified Explanation
When the British occupied Khandesh after the Third Anglo-Maratha War in 1818, the Bhil tribes rose in armed revolt against economic dislocation and aggressive military subjugation. Led by Sewaram, Chilnaik, and local headmen, the rebellion persisted for over a decade despite brutal British pacification campaigns.
The Halba Rebellion (1774–1779) in Bastar, considered one of India's earliest tribal wars of succession and resistance against foreign intervention, was led by which prince against Daryao Deo and the British-Maratha alliance?
Verified Explanation
Ajmer Singh, the governor of Dongar and crown prince of Bastar, led the Halba tribal army from 1774 to 1779 to preserve Bastar's sovereignty against his brother Daryao Deo, who had allied with the Maratha Bhonsles and British East India Company.
Which major tribal uprising took place in the Bastar region between 1774 and 1779, fought by tribal soldiers against British and Maratha interference in the succession dispute of King Daryav Dev?
Verified Explanation
The Halba Rebellion (1774-1779) in Bastar was fought by soldiers and chiefs of the Halba tribe supporting Ajmer Singh against his brother Daryav Dev, who had enlisted British and Maratha military forces to seize the throne of Bastar.
23ID: GK-ART-00921
mediumPainting Traditions, Folk Crafts & Textiles
Tanjore (Thanjavur) paintings of Tamil Nadu, which flourished under the Maratha rulers of Thanjavur in the 18th century, are technically unique for incorporating which distinctive decorative elements?
Verified Explanation
Thanjavur paintings are executed on cloth-mounted wooden panels (Palagai Padam). They are distinguished by high-relief gesso work (chalk powder and glue paste) covered with pure 22-carat gold leaves (gilded foil) and embedded with sparkling Jaipur gemstones to depict infant Krishna and Hindu divinities.
24ID: GK-HIST-00507
mediumMughal Dynasty
The Treaty of Purandar (1665) was signed between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and which Mughal general representing Aurangzeb?
Verified Explanation
On 11 June 1665, Shivaji Maharaj and Mirza Raja Jai Singh I signed the Treaty of Purandar, under which Shivaji surrendered 23 forts to the Mughals.
25ID: GK-HIST-00573
hardMedieval India & Sultanates
Which treaty was concluded in 1665 between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Mirza Raja Jai Singh I on behalf of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb?
Verified Explanation
Under the Treaty of Purandar (signed June 11, 1665), Shivaji agreed to surrender 23 of his 35 forts to the Mughals and send his son Sambhaji as a mansabdar.