Q21. During his campaigns, Baji Rao I famously stated, "Let us strike at the trunk of the withering tree, the branches will fall of themselves." To which empire was he referring?
The Marathas: RAS Prelims MCQs
65 RAS Prelims MCQs on the Marathas follow Shivaji, the Peshwas and the Anglo-Maratha wars. Questions ask for Shivaji’s forts and treaties, the Ashtapradhan, Baji Rao I’s campaigns, the Third Battle of Panipat, Mahadji Scindia, the treaties with the British and the reasons for Maratha decline.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 21–30 of 65 questions
Q22. Arrange the following military campaigns and battles of Baji Rao I in correct chronological order:
I. Battle of Palkhed
II. Treaty of Mungi Shevgaon
III. Battle of Bhopal
IV. Raid on Delhi
Which of the following represents the correct chronological order?
I. Battle of Palkhed
II. Treaty of Mungi Shevgaon
III. Battle of Bhopal
IV. Raid on Delhi
Which of the following represents the correct chronological order?
Explanation
Baji Rao I won at Palkhed in 1728, secured the Treaty of Mungi Shevgaon in 1728, raided Delhi in 1737 and won the Battle of Bhopal in 1737-38. The order is I, II, IV, III.
Q23. The Saranjam system, which expanded significantly during the Peshwa period, primarily dealt with which aspect of Maratha administration?
Explanation
Under the Saranjam system, Maratha chiefs were given revenue grants of land to maintain troops. It expanded in the Peshwa period.
Q24. Which treaty was signed between the Marathas and the Nizam of Hyderabad following the Battle of Bhopal in 1737?
Explanation
After the Battle of Bhopal the Marathas and the Nizam signed the Treaty of Doraha Sarai in 1738.
Q25. Consider the following regions targeted during the Maratha expansion under the Peshwas:
I. Malwa
II. Gujarat
III. Bundelkhand
IV. Bengal
V. Punjab
Which of these regions were directly incorporated or repeatedly subjected to Maratha military campaigns by the year 1758?
I. Malwa
II. Gujarat
III. Bundelkhand
IV. Bengal
V. Punjab
Which of these regions were directly incorporated or repeatedly subjected to Maratha military campaigns by the year 1758?
Explanation
By 1758 the Marathas had campaigned in Malwa, Gujarat and Bundelkhand and also raided Bengal and reached Punjab. All five regions are therefore correct.
Q26. Which of the following statements about the Maratha Confederacy is incorrect?
Explanation
The Maratha Confederacy was a loose alliance in which chiefs recognised the Chhatrapati as nominal head, the Peshwa was the executive head and chiefs had internal autonomy. It had no highly centralised treasury and unified standing army, so C is incorrect.
Q27. In the Maratha administrative vocabulary, the term ‘Mokasa’ referred to:
Explanation
Mokasa meant the portions of Chauth given to chiefs in return for military service.
Q28. Match List-I (Maratha Treaties/Agreements) with List-II (Year) and select the correct answer:
| Maratha Treaties/Agreements | Year |
|---|---|
| A. Treaty of Purandar (with Mughals) | i. 1731 |
| B. Treaty of Warna | ii. 1802 |
| C. Treaty of Salbai | iii. 1665 |
| D. Treaty of Bassein | iv. 1782 |
Explanation
The Treaty of Purandar with the Mughals was in 1665, the Treaty of Warna in 1731, the Treaty of Salbai in 1782 and the Treaty of Bassein in 1802. This gives A-iii, B-i, C-iv, D-ii.
Q29. What was the primary cause of the Third Battle of Panipat (1761)?
Explanation
The Marathas expanded into Punjab, which provoked the Afghan ruler Ahmad Shah Abdali and led to the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761.
Q30. Given below are two statements. Read the statements and choose the correct option.
Statement I: During the Third Battle of Panipat, the Marathas were able to secure strong military alliances with the Rajputs, Jats, and Sikhs.
Statement II: The Maratha policy of indiscriminate extraction of tribute had alienated major North Indian powers prior to the battle.
Statement I: During the Third Battle of Panipat, the Marathas were able to secure strong military alliances with the Rajputs, Jats, and Sikhs.
Statement II: The Maratha policy of indiscriminate extraction of tribute had alienated major North Indian powers prior to the battle.
Explanation
The Marathas did not win firm allies among the Rajputs, Jats and Sikhs, so Statement I is wrong. Their heavy tribute demands had alienated the North Indian powers, so Statement II is correct.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 21 | (d) The Mughal Empire |
| 22 | (a) I, II, IV, III |
| 23 | (b) Land revenue grants to Maratha chiefs for maintaining military troops |
| 24 | (b) Treaty of Doraha Sarai |
| 25 | (d) I, II, III, IV and V |
| 26 | (c) The Confederacy maintained a highly centralized treasury and a unified standing army. |
| 27 | (d) Portions of Chauth given to chiefs for providing military service |
| 28 | (a) A-iii, B-i, C-iv, D-ii |
| 29 | (b) Expansion into Punjab, provoking Afghan ruler Ahmad Shah Abdali |
| 30 | (b) Statement II is correct but Statement I is incorrect. |
Key facts from The Marathas
- Shivaji began his conquests by capturing Torna in 1646; his council of eight ministers was called the Ashtapradhan.
- By the Treaty of Purandar (1665) Shivaji gave 23 forts to the Mughals after Jai Singh besieged Purandar.
- Ganimi Kava was Shivaji’s guerrilla warfare; the Saranjam system gave chiefs revenue grants for troops.
- After the Battle of Bhopal in 1737 the Marathas and the Nizam signed the Treaty of Doraha Sarai.
- The Third Battle of Panipat (1761) was fought against Ahmad Shah Abdali; Sadashivrao Bhau was the commander.
- Treaties with the British: Surat (1775), Purandar (1776), Salbai (1782) and Bassein (1802).
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on The Marathas?
This page has 65 practice MCQs on The Marathas (Medieval Indian History). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
What was the Treaty of Purandar of 1665?
A treaty between Shivaji and the Mughal general Jai Singh. Shivaji gave up 23 forts to the Mughals, and he was promised the right to collect certain dues in return. It followed Jai Singh’s successful siege of Purandar.
Who commanded the Marathas at the Third Battle of Panipat?
Sadashivrao Bhau, with the Peshwa’s son Vishwasrao as nominal head. Both died in the battle, in which the Marathas lost to Ahmad Shah Abdali in 1761, a blow to Maratha power in the north.
What was the Saranjam system?
A system under which Maratha chiefs received grants of land revenue to maintain troops. It expanded in the Peshwa period and helped build an army, but it also made chiefs hereditary and weakened central control.