Second Anglo-Maratha War, 1803-05
Modern History › The Anglo-Maratha Wars · Topic 6.3
The Second Anglo-Maratha War followed the Treaty of Bassein of December 1802, in which the fleeing Peshwa Baji Rao II accepted the subsidiary alliance. Arthur Wellesley and Lord Lake defeated Sindhia and Bhonsle in 1803, and Holkar was beaten by 1805.
6 min read · UPSC Prelims · History · The Anglo-Maratha Wars
At a Glance
- What it is The second war, fought after the Peshwa accepted the Subsidiary Alliance
- Years 1803-05
- Trigger Treaty of Bassein, December 1802
- Result Sindhia, Bhonsle and Holkar reduced to vassalage
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Modern History: The Anglo-Maratha Wars
Where Does It Fit?
This is the third topic of the category on the Anglo-Maratha Wars. The previous topic covered the first war and the Treaty of Salbai. This topic covers the second war, after twenty years of peace. The next topic covers the Third Anglo-Maratha War. Previous topic: First Anglo-Maratha War and the Treaty of Salbai.
What Was the Background?
The Second Anglo-Maratha War started in circumstances similar to those of the first. After the Peshwa Madhavrao Narayan committed suicide in 1795, Baji Rao II, the worthless son of Raghunathrao, became the Peshwa. Nana Phadnavis, a bitter foe of Baji Rao II, became chief minister. The dissensions among the Marathas gave the English an opportunity to intervene, and the death of Nana Phadnavis in 1800 gave the British an added advantage.
What Led to the Treaty of Bassein?
On 1 April 1801 the Peshwa brutally murdered Vithuji, the brother of Jaswantrao (also called Yashwantrao) Holkar. A furious Jaswant arrayed his forces against the combined armies of Sindhia and Baji Rao II. On 25 October 1802 Jaswant decisively defeated the armies of the Peshwa and Sindhia at Hadapsar near Poona and placed Vinayakrao, son of Amritrao, on the Peshwa’s seat. A terrified Baji Rao II fled to Bassein, where he signed a treaty with the English in December 1802.
Under the Treaty of Bassein the Peshwa agreed to accept a permanent English force and to give up control of his relations with other states.
| Term | Detail |
|---|---|
| English force | A native infantry force of not less than 6,000 troops, with field artillery and European artillerymen, to be stationed permanently in his territory |
| Territory | Lands yielding Rs 26 lakh of income to be ceded to the Company |
| Surat | The city of Surat to be surrendered |
| Chauth | All claims for chauth on the Nizam’s dominions to be given up |
| Arbitration | The Company to arbitrate in all disputes with the Nizam or the Gaekwad |
| Europeans | No Europeans of any nation at war with the English to be employed |
| Foreign relations | His relations with other states to be under English control |
How Did the Marathas Respond?
After the Peshwa accepted the Subsidiary Alliance, Sindhia and Bhonsle tried to save Maratha independence. But the well-prepared and organised English army under Arthur Wellesley defeated their combined armies and forced them to conclude separate subsidiary treaties with the English. In 1804 Jaswantrao Holkar tried to form a coalition of Indian rulers against the English, but the attempt failed. The Marathas were defeated, reduced to vassalage and isolated from one another.
| Maratha chief | Defeat and treaty |
|---|---|
| Bhonsle of Nagpur | Defeated; Treaty of Deogaon, 17 December 1803 |
| Sindhia of Gwalior | Defeated; Treaty of Surji-Anjangaon, 30 December 1803 |
| Holkar of Indore | Defeated; Treaty of Rajpurghat, December 1805 |
The main battles of 1803 included Assaye (September 1803, Arthur Wellesley), Delhi (September 1803, Lord Lake), Laswari (November 1803, Lake) and Argaon (29 November 1803, Wellesley against the Bhonsle). The war against Holkar began in April 1804.
What Was the Significance of the Treaty of Bassein?
The treaty was signed by a Peshwa who lacked political authority, but the English gains were immense. Keeping English troops permanently in Maratha territory was of great strategic benefit. The Company already had troops in Mysore, Hyderabad and Lucknow, and with Poona added to the list its troops were more evenly spread and could be sent anywhere without much delay.
The treaty did not hand over India to the Company on a platter, but it was a major step in that direction. The Company was now well placed to widen its areas of influence. The observation that the treaty “gave the English the key to India” may be exaggerated, but it is understandable.
How Does It Compare With the First War?
As an analytical point, in the first war the Marathas won by generalship and the English kept their gains by persistence. In the second, the Marathas were beaten because they were divided at the top. A Peshwa who fled to the English for protection gave the Company the political cover for war, and the Subsidiary Alliance explained in Mysore After Tipu and an Estimate of Tipu Sultan and in Fourth Anglo-Mysore War and the Fall of Tipu Sultan was now applied to the Marathas. Each Maratha chief then faced the English alone.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Subsidiary Alliance in practice The Treaty of Bassein is the most asked example of the system
- Direct facts The terms of Bassein and the later treaties with Bhonsle, Sindhia and Holkar are Prelims items
- Link to the last war The treaty wounded Maratha feelings and led to the Third Anglo-Maratha War
What Came Next?
The next topic covers the Third Anglo-Maratha War of 1817-19 and the end of the Peshwaship. Next topic: Third Anglo-Maratha War, 1817-19, and the End of the Peshwaship.
Key People and Terms
- Baji Rao II The last Peshwa, son of Raghunathrao
- Hadapsar The October 1802 battle where Holkar defeated the Peshwa and Sindhia
- Treaty of Bassein The December 1802 subsidiary treaty between the Peshwa and the English
- Vassalage A status of dependence on a stronger ruler
- Deogaon The December 1803 treaty with Bhonsle
- Surji-Anjangaon The December 1803 treaty with Sindhia
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Baji Rao II became Peshwa after the suicide of Madhavrao Narayan in 1795.
- Holkar won at Hadapsar on 25 October 1802.
- Treaty of Bassein: December 1802; 6,000 troops; Rs 26 lakh of territory; Surat.
- Bhonsle: Deogaon (17 December 1803); Sindhia: Surji-Anjangaon (30 December 1803).
- Holkar: Rajpurghat, December 1805.
Do Not Confuse With
- Hadapsar and Bassein Hadapsar was Holkar’s victory; Bassein was the Peshwa’s treaty with the English
- Deogaon and Surji-Anjangaon Deogaon was with Bhonsle; Surji-Anjangaon with Sindhia
- Arthur Wellesley and Lord Wellesley Arthur was the general; Lord Wellesley was the Governor-General
Memory Hook
Hadapsar made him run, Bassein made him a vassal, Wellesley made the rest follow.
Mains Angle
Questions ask about the Treaty of Bassein and its effects. These points add depth.
- Subsidiary Alliance The treaty gave the English a permanent force at Poona and control of foreign relations
- Division among the Marathas The chiefs fought each other and were beaten one by one
- Strategic gain English troops were now spread across Mysore, Hyderabad, Lucknow and Poona
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“How far was the Treaty of Bassein responsible for the downfall of the Maratha power?”
How to Answer
- Background Baji Rao II, Holkar and Hadapsar.
- Treaty The terms and the strategic gain.
- After the treaty Defeat of Sindhia, Bhonsle and Holkar.
- Conclude Say that the treaty was a major step, helped by Maratha division.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Treaty of Bassein?
The Treaty of Bassein was signed in December 1802 between the Peshwa Baji Rao II and the English after Holkar defeated him at Hadapsar. The Peshwa accepted a permanent force of at least 6,000 troops, ceded territory yielding Rs 26 lakh, surrendered Surat and agreed to put his relations with other states under English control.
Why did Baji Rao II sign the Treaty of Bassein?
Baji Rao II signed the Treaty of Bassein because Jaswantrao Holkar had decisively defeated his army and Sindhia's at Hadapsar on 25 October 1802 and placed another man on the Peshwa's seat. The terrified Peshwa fled to Bassein and sought English protection.
What was the significance of the Treaty of Bassein?
The treaty put an English force permanently in Maratha territory at Poona, so that the Company's troops, already in Mysore, Hyderabad and Lucknow, were evenly spread. It did not hand India over, but it was a major step towards English supremacy.
Which treaties ended the Second Anglo-Maratha War?
The Treaty of Deogaon of 17 December 1803 was made with the Bhonsle, the Treaty of Surji-Anjangaon of 30 December 1803 with Sindhia, and the Treaty of Rajpurghat of December 1805 with Holkar. These reduced the Maratha chiefs to vassalage.
Who defeated Sindhia and Bhonsle in 1803?
The English army under Arthur Wellesley defeated the combined armies of Sindhia and Bhonsle in 1803, with Lord Lake also winning at Delhi and Laswari. They forced the chiefs to conclude separate subsidiary treaties with the English.
What was Holkar's role in the war?
Jaswantrao Holkar defeated the Peshwa and Sindhia at Hadapsar in October 1802, which pushed Baji Rao II to the English. In 1804 Holkar tried to form a coalition of Indian rulers against the English, but the attempt failed and he was beaten.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 Baji Rao II signed the Treaty of Bassein with the English in December 1802.
He was fleeing Holkar after Hadapsar.
2 Under the Treaty of Bassein, the Peshwa accepted a permanent English force of at least 6,000 troops.
It was stationed in his territory.
3 The Treaty of Surji-Anjangaon was made with the Bhonsle of Nagpur.
It was made with Sindhia; the Bhonsle signed Deogaon.
4 Holkar formed a successful coalition against the English in 1804.
The attempt failed.
5 Arthur Wellesley commanded the English army against Sindhia and Bhonsle in 1803.
He was the brother of the Governor-General.
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