First Anglo-Maratha War

Table of Contents

First Anglo-Maratha War- Relevance for UPSC Exam

GS Paper 1: Indian History- Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.

The First Anglo-Maratha War was fought between the British East India Company and Maratha Empire, during 1775–1782.
Weakening of Maratha Power: After the Third Battle of Panipat, the Maratha power in India started declining.
- Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao died in 1761 and was succeeded by his son Madhavrao I who was able to recover some of the territories lost in the third battle of Panipat.
Fight for the Maratha Throne: Madhavrao I died in the early 1770s, leading to a fight for Maratha’s throne between Narayan Rao (Son of Madhavrao I) and uncle Raghunathrao.

प्रथम आंग्ल-मराठा युद्ध

Treaty of Surat 1775: It was signed between Raghunath Rao and the British East India Company (EIC). British EIC agreed to support the claim of Raghunathrao over Peshwaship.
- In return, Raghunathrao conceded Salsette and Bassein to the English.
Beginning of the First Anglo-Maratha War: Treaty of Surat in 1775 is considered as the beginning of the First Anglo-Maratha War.

Raghunathrao supported by the British EIC attacked and won the battle against the Peshwa of Maratha.
Disagreement among Britishers: British Calcutta Council under Warren Hastings cancelled the agreement reached between Raghunathrao and the Bombay Presidency.
- British Calcutta Council signed a new Agreement of Purandhar with Ministers of Maratha in 1776.
- Raghunathrao was given the only pension and Salsette was held on by the British.
Breach of Agreement of Purandhar 1776: the British establishment at Bombay breached this treaty and protected Raghunathrao.
- On the other hand, Nana Phadnavis gave permission to the French to build a port on the west coast.
Battle at Wadgaon: Above conflict led to a battle at Wadgaon near Pune in which the Marathas under Mahadji Shinde secured a conclusive victory over the English.
- Treaty of Wadgaon: The English were forced to sign a humiliating agreement with Marathas in Wadgaon in 1779.

Treaty of Wadgaon did not resolve the difference between the British and the Maratha Empire. Subsequently, many other battles were fought between them.
Treaty of Salbai: After many battles Both Marathas and Britishers signed the Treaty of Salbai to Conclude the first Anglo-Maratha War in 1782.

British East India Company: It retained Salsette and Broach snatched from Marathas.
- The British EIC also obtained a guarantee from the Marathas that they would not support Hyder Ali of Mysore in his battle against the British.
- Marathas also agreed to retake their possessions in the Deccan from Hyder Ali.
- The Marathas also agreed to not grant any more territories to the French.
Peshwa of Maratha Empire: All territories taken by the British after the Treaty of Purandhar were ceded back to the Marathas.
- The English accepted Madhavrao II (son of Narayanrao) as the Peshwa.
- Raghunathrao was to receive a pension of Rs.3 lakh every year.