Rise of Maratha Power MCQ: Rise of the Peshwas & the Third Battle of Panipat

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

1. Q1.Who was the immediate successor of Shivaji after his death in 1680?

   • A.Rajaram
   • B.Sambhaji✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Shahu
   • D.Shivaji II

   Explanation: After Shivaji's death in 1680, he was succeeded by his son Sambhaji.

2. Q2.Which Peshwa is known for making the post of Peshwa hereditary?

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

   Explanation: By the time of Balaji Bajirao (1740-1761), the post of Peshwa became hereditary.

3. Q3.What was the role of 'Waqianavis' in Shivaji's administration?

   • A.Foreign Minister
   • B.Interior Minister / Intelligence✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Religious Head
   • D.Army Chief

   Explanation: Waqianavis (or Mantri) acted as the Interior Minister and managed internal affairs, especially intelligence and espionage.

4. Q4.Who was the Afghan invader in the Third Battle of Panipat?

   • A.Nadir Shah
   • B.Ahmad Shah Abdali✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Timur Shah
   • D.Sher Shah Suri

   Explanation: The Third Battle of Panipat was fought against the Afghan invader Ahmad Shah Abdali.

5. Q5.Which Maratha leader's uncle Raghunathrao conspired against him?

   • A.Madhavrao
   • B.Narayanrao✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Bajirao I
   • D.Balaji Bajirao

   Explanation: After the death of Madhavrao, his brother Narayanrao became a victim of the conspiracy of his uncle Raghunathrao, who wanted to become Peshwa.

6. Q6.Who was the priest responsible for the coronation of Shivaji in 1674?

   • A.Ramdas
   • B.Ganga Bhatt✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Tukaram
   • D.Eknath

   Explanation: Vishveshwar, also known as Ganga Bhatt, a famous contemporary scholar of Banaras, coronated Shivaji and declared him a Kshatriya.

7. Q7.Which of the following events occurred first in Shivaji's life?

   • A.Victory on the Fort of Chakan✓ Correct Answer
   • B.The episode of Afzal Khan
   • C.Attack and sack of Surat
   • D.Coronation

   Explanation: Chronological order: Victory on Fort of Chakan (1648), Episode of Afzal Khan (1659), Sack of Surat (1664), Coronation (1674).

8. Q8.What was the specific duty of 'Sachiv' or 'Surunavis' in Ashtapradhan?

   • A.Foreign Affairs
   • B.Religious Aid
   • C.Royal Correspondence✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Military Finance

   Explanation: In the Ashtapradhan, the Sachiv (also called Surunavis) was responsible for all royal correspondence.

9. Q9.Who was the 'Sar-i-Naubat' in the Maratha administration?

   • A.Chief Justice
   • B.Foreign Minister
   • C.Army Commander✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Revenue Minister

   Explanation: Sar-i-Naubat (Senapati) was responsible for the maintenance of appointments, organization, and food supply of the military.

10. Q10.Which Maratha minister was responsible for religious aid and charity?

    • A.Pandit Rao✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Mantri
    • C.Sumant
    • D.Amatya

    Explanation: Pandit Rao was the minister appointed for religious aid and charitable grants in Shivaji's Ashtapradhan.

11. Q11.At the time of which Peshwa did the power transfer from the Chhatrapati to the Peshwa?

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

    Explanation: In 1713, during the time of Balaji Vishwanath, the power was effectively transferred from the Chhatrapati to the Peshwa, making the administration more centered around the Peshwa.

12. Q12.What was the tenure of Peshwa Bajirao I?

    • A.1713-1720 AD
    • B.1720-1740 AD✓ Correct Answer
    • C.1740-1761 AD
    • D.1761-1772 AD

    Explanation: Shahu appointed Bajirao I, the elder son of Balaji Vishwanath, as Peshwa. His tenure was from 1720 AD to 1740 AD.

13. Q13.Who was the historian that witnessed the Third Battle of Panipat?

    • A.Khafi Khan
    • B.Kashiraj Pandit✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Dattaji Pingle
    • D.Harcharan Das

    Explanation: Kashiraj Pandit was the historian who was an eyewitness to the Third Battle of Panipat and described the Maratha defeat metaphorically.

14. Q14.What was the immediate reason for Ahmad Shah Abdali to invade India leading to the Third Battle of Panipat?

    • A.To plunder Delhi
    • B.To avenge the expulsion of Timur Shah✓ Correct Answer
    • C.To support the Mughals
    • D.To capture Punjab's fertile land

    Explanation: The immediate reason was Abdali's desire to avenge the expulsion of his Viceroy Timur Shah from Lahore by the Marathas.

15. Q15.Timur Shah was the Viceroy of which ruler?

    • A.Nadir Shah
    • B.Ahmad Shah Abdali✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Aurangzeb
    • D.Shah Alam II

    Explanation: Timur Shah was the Viceroy of the Afghan ruler Ahmad Shah Abdali.

16. Q16.Who was appointed as the 'Mir Bakshi' of the Empire by Ahmad Shah Abdali in 1757?

    • A.Imadulmulk
    • B.Najib-Ud-Daulah✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Shuja-ud-Daula
    • D.Alamgir II

    Explanation: In 1757, Ahmad Shah Abdali appointed Rohilla leader Najib-Ud-Daulah as his chief agent and Mir Bakshi of the Empire.

17. Q17.Which Maratha Peshwa's tenure was from 1740 to 1761?

    • A.Bajirao I
    • B.Balaji Bajirao✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Madhavrao
    • D.Narayanrao

    Explanation: Balaji Bajirao ruled as Peshwa from 1740 AD to 1761 AD.

18. Q18.The 'Saranzami' system provided land for the livelihood of whom?

    • A.Maratha Jagirdars✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Religious leaders
    • C.Peasants
    • D.Foreign traders

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

19. Q19.Which Holkar ruler is mentioned as a famous Maratha ruler in the text?

    • A.Malhar Rao
    • B.Ahilyabai✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Yashwant Rao
    • D.Tukoji Rao

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

20. Q20.Who became the Peshwa after the death of Balaji Bajirao?

    • A.Bajirao I
    • B.Narayanrao
    • C.Madhavrao✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Raghunathrao

    Explanation: Madhavrao succeeded Balaji Bajirao and his tenure was from 1761 AD to 1772 AD.