Third Maratha War (1817-18)

Third Maratha War (1817-18)

Third Maratha War (1817-18)

Lore Hastings had tried his utmost to combination of the Marathas and the Pindaris. In spite of this precaution “the hunt of the Pindaris became merged in the Third Maratha War”

It is a matter of history that although the Peshwa had entered into the treaty of Bassein in 1802, he was not satisfied with his present position and was intriguing to free himself from the British control. Such a move could not be palatable to the English Company.

In 1815, Trimbakji, a minister of the Peshwas, murdered a Brhmin envoy of the ruler of Gaekwar who had gone to Poona under a British self conduct. As foul play was suspected, Elphinstone, the British resident, forced Baji Rao Peshwa to surrender Trimbakji. He also forced the Peshwa to enter into a news subsidiary alliance and grant a piece of territory for the maintenance of the contingent force. He compelled him to give up the headship of the Maratha Confederacy. (1718)

As such a treatment was not liked by Baji Rao, he revolted and attacked and burnt the British Residency. Elphinstone managed to escape. In the battle of Kirki, the Peshwa was defeated.

Apa Sahib Bhonsla of Nagpur and Holdar declared war against the Engllish. Apa Sahib was defeated at sitabaldi and forced to surrender. Holdar’s armies were also defeated and crushed in the battle of Mahidpur. The Peshwa was also pursued and defeated at Ashti and Koregaon. In 1819, Asirgarh was captured. Baji Rao Peshwa was forced to surrender himself to the British in 1818 and thus the third Maratha War ended.

Elphinstone gave a very generous treatment to the defeated Peshwa. It is true that the office of the peshwa was abolished but Baji Rao was given a pension of Rs. 8 lakhs a year for his life. A representative of the line of Shivaji was put on the throne of Sitara. Apa Sahib of Nagpur was was deposed and a news Raja was put in his place. The Narbada territories of Bhonsla were annexed. Holder was forced to enter into a subsidiary alliance and grant some territory for the maintenance of the contingent army. He was also forced to give up all his claims on the Rajput states.

It is evident that the power of the Marathas was completely crushed and henceforth they were not in a position to raise their head again. Marshman has described the results of the above wars in these words : “The wars subdued not only the native armies, but the native mind and taught the princes and people of India to regard the supreme command in India as indisputably transferred to a foreign power. It placed the Company on the Moghal throne with a more absolute authority than Akbar or Aurangzeb had ever enjoyed.”

Milan Tomic

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