Rise of Maratha Power MCQ: Shivaji's Coronation, Escape from Agra & the Ashtapradhan Council

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.Which of the following reasons contributed to the rise of the Marathas?

   • A.Religious Consciousness
   • B.Geographical Security
   • C.High quality of leadership
   • D.All of the above✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: The rise of the Marathas was due to multiple factors including religious consciousness, geographical security provided by the terrain of Maharashtra, and the high quality of leadership provided by Shivaji and others.

2. Q2.In which battle did Shivaji defeat the Mughals in 1672 AD?

   • A.Battle of Purandar
   • B.Battle of Raigarh
   • C.Battle of Salher✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Battle of Shivner

   Explanation: Shivaji defeated the Mughals in the Battle of Salher in 1672 AD.

3. Q3.When was Shivaji born and when did he assume the title of Chhatrapati?

   • A.1626, 1675
   • B.1625, 1671
   • C.1627, 1661
   • D.1627, 1674✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: Shivaji was born in 1627 AD (or 1630 AD according to some sources) and he assumed the title of Chhatrapati after his formal coronation in 1674 AD.

4. Q4.Who was the commander sent by the Sultan of Bijapur for the repression of Shivaji in 1659?

   • A.Inayat Khan
   • B.Afzal Khan✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Shaista Khan
   • D.Sayyid Banda

   Explanation: In 1659, the Sultan of Bijapur sent his experienced commander Afzal Khan to suppress Shivaji, but Shivaji killed him.

5. Q5.Where was Shivaji kept in captivity when he escaped from the custody of the Mughals?

   • A.Gwalior
   • B.Agra✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Delhi
   • D.Kanpur

   Explanation: Shivaji was kept in captivity in Jaipur Bhawan at Agra by Aurangzeb in 1666 AD, from where he escaped.

6. Q6.Where was the capital of Shivaji situated?

   • A.Raigarh✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Satara
   • C.Purandar
   • D.Tanjore

   Explanation: Shivaji made Raigarh his capital after his coronation in 1674 AD.

7. Q7.Which of the following was NOT a silver coin in the Kingdom of Chhatrapati Shivaji?

   • A.Rupaya
   • B.Lari
   • C.Taka
   • D.Ruka✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: Rupaya, Lari, and Taka were silver coins, whereas Ruka was a copper coin used during the Maratha period.

8. Q8.During the reign of Shivaji, the foreign minister was known as:

   • A.Sumant✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Amatya
   • C.Sar-i-Naubat
   • D.Sachiv

   Explanation: In the Ashtapradhan council of Shivaji, the Foreign Minister was known as Sumant or Dabir.

9. Q9.What was 'Ashtapradhan' in the context of Maratha administration?

   • A.Council of eight ministers✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Eight types of taxes
   • C.Eight provinces
   • D.Eight forts

   Explanation: 'Ashtapradhan' was the Council of eight Ministers constituted by Shivaji to assist in the administration of the Maratha state.

10. Q10.Who among the following Maratha leaders streamlined the Maratha administration after Sambhaji?

    • A.Rajaram
    • B.Balaji Vishwanath✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Ganga Bai
    • D.Nanaji Deshmukh

    Explanation: After Sambhaji, Balaji Vishwanath streamlined the Maratha administration and made it effective. He was appointed as Peshwa by Shahu in 1713.

11. Q11.Arrange the following Peshwas in chronological order: 1. Bajirao I, 2. Balaji Bajirao, 3. Balaji Vishwanath, 4. Madhavrao.

    • A.4, 3, 1, 2
    • B.1, 2, 3, 4
    • C.3, 1, 2, 4✓ Correct Answer
    • D.2, 1, 4, 3

    Explanation: The correct order is: Balaji Vishwanath (1713-1720), Bajirao I (1720-1740), Balaji Bajirao (1740-1761), Madhavrao (1761-1772).

12. Q12.By which treaty in 1750 did the Peshwa emerge as the real head of the Maratha Confederacy?

    • A.Treaty of Purandar
    • B.Treaty of Sangola✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Treaty of Salbai
    • D.Treaty of Poona

    Explanation: By the Treaty of Sangola in 1750, the Maratha King became a titular head, and the Peshwa emerged as the effective head of the Maratha Confederacy.

13. Q13.Which system was related to land revenue during the Maratha period?

    • A.Jagirdari System
    • B.Zamindari System
    • C.Saranzami System✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Ryotwari System

    Explanation: The Saranzami system was related to land revenue in the Maratha period, provided for the livelihood of Maratha Jagirdars.

14. Q14.When was the Third Battle of Panipat fought?

    • A.1757
    • B.1761✓ Correct Answer
    • C.1764
    • D.1750

    Explanation: The Third Battle of Panipat was fought on 14th January 1761 between the Marathas (Sadashivrao Bhau) and Ahmad Shah Abdali.

15. Q15.The message 'Two pearls have been dissolved, 22 gold coins have been lost...' referred to which event?

    • A.Death of Shivaji
    • B.Battle of Plassey
    • C.Third Battle of Panipat✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Death of Bajirao I

    Explanation: This coded message was sent to Peshwa Balaji Bajirao to inform him about the disastrous defeat of the Marathas in the Third Battle of Panipat.

16. Q16.Who was the Maratha ruler from the Holkar dynasty mentioned in the text?

    • A.Tarabai
    • B.Ahilyabai✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Jijabai
    • D.Lakshmibai

    Explanation: Ahilyabai was a famous Maratha ruler from the Holkar dynasty of Indore.

17. Q17.Between whom was the Treaty of Purandar signed in 1665 AD?

    • A.Shivaji and Aurangzeb
    • B.Shivaji and Jai Singh✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Shivaji and Afzal Khan
    • D.Shivaji and Shaista Khan

    Explanation: The Treaty of Purandar was signed between Shivaji and Raja Jai Singh (representing the Mughals) in June 1665 AD.

18. Q18.Which Maratha woman leader led the struggle against the Mughals after the death of Rajaram?

    • A.Jijabai
    • B.Tarabai✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Ahilyabai
    • D.Yesubai

    Explanation: After the death of Rajaram in 1700 AD, his widow Tarabai continued the struggle with the Mughals, placing her son Shivaji II on the throne.

19. Q19.Who was appointed as the 'Amatya' in Shivaji's Ashtapradhan?

    • A.Prime Minister
    • B.Finance and Revenue Minister✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Foreign Minister
    • D.Chief Justice

    Explanation: In Shivaji's Ashtapradhan, the 'Amatya' was the Finance and Revenue Minister.

20. Q20.Who led the Marathas as a representative of Shahu from 1689 to 1700 AD?

    • A.Sambhaji
    • B.Rajaram✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Balaji Vishwanath
    • D.Bajirao I

    Explanation: Rajaram led the Marathas as a representative of Shahu from 1689 AD until his death in 1700 AD.