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First Anglo Maratha War 1775 – 1782:
Reason:
- War of succession over Peshwaship after the death of Narayana Rao
Persons:
- Rahunath Rao + British (Warren Hastings) vs Madhav Rao II + Nana Padnavis and Mahadaji Scindia.
- When the Peshwa, Narayana Rao died Rahunath Rao became the Peshwa. But the Party under Nanapadnavis opposed him and they supported Madhav Rao II, the Infant of Narayana Rao.
- Rahunath Rao approached British for the support and made Treaty of Surat in 1775 and ceded Salsette and Bassien.
- The treaty was opposed by Supreme British Council so Warren Hasting sent Colonel Upton to deal the issue. He made new Purandar Treaty in 1776 and agreed to withdrawn the support for Rahunath Rao but Bombay Government opposed this treaty.
- So the war followed and British defeated in the battle against Scindia and then he compelled British to sign Treaty of Wadagaon in 1779.
- Warren Hasting sent a troop under Captain Pophom and he defeated Mahadaji Scindia and captured Gwalior Fort.
- After prolonged war both parties agreed to put an end. On 17th May, 1782 Treaty of Salbai signed between Marathas and British.
- Twenty years peace was provided between English and Marathas.
- Maratha helped British in Second Anglo Mysore War as per this treaty.
- Rahunath Rao pensioned off and Madhav Rao II became the Peshwa.
Second Anglo Maratha War (1803 – 1805):
- The dead of Mahadaji Scindia in 1794 and Nana Padnavis in 1800 gave advantage to British.
- 1795 Madhav Rao II committed suicide and Baji Rao II became new Peshwa.
Reason:
- when the conflict arises between Jaswant Rao Holkar and Daulat Rao Scindia so Peshwa Baji Rao II supported Daulat Rao. But Jaswant Rao defeated the troops and captured Poona.
- So Baji Rao approached British for help and signed Treaty of Bassien a Subsidiary Alliance Treaty. As a result Arthur Wellesley defeated Jaswant Rao and restored Poona to Baji Rao II.
- But Daulat Rao and Rahoji Bhonsle did not accept the Subsidiary Alliance treaty signed by Peshwa and acted against British as a result war broke out.
- Daulat Rao defeated by British troop and signed Treaty of Arjungaon in 1803.
- Rahoji Bhonsle also defeated and signed Treaty of Deogaon in 1803.
- Jaswant Rao Holkar did not participated in the war but when he plundered Jaipur in 1804 British declared war against him but could not control him so the war came to an end.
Third Anglo Maratha War 1817 – 1818:
Reason:
- Baji Rao II tried to form a Maratha confederacy to expel British force from land of Marathas.
- Lord Hastings and Army General Thomas Hislop waged a war against them.
Person:
- Baji Rao II, Mudhoji Bhonsle and Malhar Rao Holkar III vs Lord Hastings.
- In the Battle of Khirki or Khadki and in the Battle of Koregaon British defeated Baji Rao II.
- After the death of Rahoji Bhonsle in 1816 Mudhoji Bhonsle became ruler of Nagpur and he defeated by British in the Battle of Sitabaldi.
- Malhar Rao Holkar III of Indore defeated in the Battle of Mahidpur by British.
- Scindia remained neutral and signed in Subsidiary Alliance treaty.
Effects:
- Peshwaship was abolished and the territories of Baji Rao II annexed with Bombay Presidency.
- Later Nagpur and Indore also annexed and then other Maratha rulers signed in Subsidiary Alliance Treaty.
- British created a small kingdom Satara and enthroned Pratab Singh the descendant of Shivaji as king.