Rise of Maratha Power MCQ: Peshwa Succession, Chauth Tax & Hindu-Pad-Padshahi

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

1. Q1.Who was the first Maratha Peshwa to streamline the administration after Sambhaji?

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

   Explanation: Balaji Vishwanath made the administration easy and convenient and was appointed as Peshwa in 1713.

2. Q2.What was the tenure of Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath?

   • A.1700-1713 AD
   • B.1713-1720 AD✓ Correct Answer
   • C.1720-1740 AD
   • D.1740-1761 AD

   Explanation: Balaji Vishwanath reigned as Peshwa from 1713 AD to 1720 AD.

3. Q3.Who succeeded Balaji Vishwanath as Peshwa?

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

   Explanation: Shahu appointed the elder son of Balaji Vishwanath, Bajirao I, as Peshwa (1720-1740).

4. Q4.What was the tenure of Peshwa Balaji Bajirao?

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

   Explanation: Balaji Bajirao ruled from 1740 AD to 1761 AD after the death of Bajirao I.

5. Q5.Which Peshwa ruled from 1761 to 1772 AD?

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

   Explanation: Madhavrao's tenure was from 1761 AD to 1772 AD.

6. Q6.What significant event happened in 1772 AD in Maratha history?

   • A.Death of Shivaji
   • B.Third Battle of Panipat
   • C.Death of Peshwa Madhavrao✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Treaty of Salbai

   Explanation: Peshwa Madhavrao died in 1772 AD.

7. Q7.Who was responsible for the conspiracy that killed Peshwa Narayanrao?

   • A.Madhavrao
   • B.Raghunathrao✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Nana Phadnavis
   • D.Mahadji Scindia

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

8. Q8.The Maratha King became a 'do nothing king' by which treaty?

   • A.Treaty of Purandar
   • B.Treaty of Sangola✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Treaty of Bassein
   • D.Treaty of Surat

   Explanation: By the Treaty of Sangola in 1750 AD, the Maratha King became a 'do nothing king' and the Peshwa emerged as the real head.

9. Q9.According to the Treaty of Sangola (1750), who became the Mayor of the Palace?

   • A.The Peshwa
   • B.The Maratha King✓ Correct Answer
   • C.The Scindia
   • D.The Holkar

   Explanation: By the Treaty of Sangola, the Maratha King became a 'do nothing king' and just the Mayor of the palace.

10. Q10.What was the purpose of the 'Saranzami' system?

    • A.Military training
    • B.Land revenue for Jagirdars✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Religious grants
    • D.Foreign trade

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

11. Q11.Who did Ahmad Shah Abdali appoint as the Emperor of Delhi in 1757?

    • A.Shah Alam II
    • B.Alamgir II✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Akbar II
    • D.Bahadur Shah

    Explanation: In January 1757, Ahmad Shah Abdali appointed Alamgir II as the Emperor before returning to his motherland.

12. Q12.Who was appointed as 'Mir Bakshi' by Ahmad Shah Abdali in 1757?

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

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

13. Q13.Who was appointed as the Prime Minister by Ahmad Shah Abdali in 1757?

    • A.Najib-Ud-Daulah
    • B.Imadulmulk✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Alamgir II
    • D.Suraj Mal

    Explanation: Ahmad Shah Abdali appointed Imadulmulk as the prime minister in 1757.

14. Q14.On which date was the Third Battle of Panipat fought?

    • A.14 January 1761✓ Correct Answer
    • B.23 June 1757
    • C.22 October 1764
    • D.14 January 1760

    Explanation: The Third Battle of Panipat was fought on 14th January 1761.

15. Q15.Who was the commander of the Maratha army in the Third Battle of Panipat?

    • A.Bajirao I
    • B.Sadashivrao Bhau✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Vishwasrao
    • D.Malhar Rao Holkar

    Explanation: The Third Battle of Panipat was fought between Maratha Sadashivrao Bhau and Afghan invader Ahmad Shah Abdali.

16. Q16.What was 'Chauth' in the Maratha administration?

    • A.A religious tax
    • B.One-fourth of the land revenue✓ Correct Answer
    • C.A toll tax
    • D.A military rank

    Explanation: 'Chauth' was a tax realized by the Marathas from the neighboring states, which was one-fourth (25%) of the revenue.

17. Q17.What was the 'Sardeshmukhi' tax percentage imposed by Shivaji?

    • A.10 percent✓ Correct Answer
    • B.25 percent
    • C.33 percent
    • D.50 percent

    Explanation: Sardeshmukhi was an additional levy of 10 percent on the revenue, which Shivaji claimed as the hereditary Sardeshmukh (Chief Headman) of the country.

18. Q18.Which Maratha Peshwa propagated the ideal of 'Hindu-Pad-Padshahi'?

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

    Explanation: Peshwa Bajirao I propagated the ideal of 'Hindu-Pad-Padshahi' (Hindu Empire) to secure the cooperation of Hindu rulers.

19. Q19.Who said about the Mughal Empire: 'Let us strike at the trunk of the withering tree, the branches will fall of themselves'?

    • A.Shivaji
    • B.Bajirao I✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Aurangzeb
    • D.Nana Phadnavis

    Explanation: This statement was made by Peshwa Bajirao I regarding the declining Mughal Empire.

20. Q20.Match the Maratha dynasties with their capitals: A. Holkar, B. Scindia, C. Gaekwad, D. Bhonsle.

    • A.A-Indore, B-Gwalior, C-Baroda, D-Nagpur✓ Correct Answer
    • B.A-Gwalior, B-Indore, C-Nagpur, D-Baroda
    • C.A-Nagpur, B-Baroda, C-Indore, D-Gwalior
    • D.A-Baroda, B-Nagpur, C-Gwalior, D-Indore

    Explanation: The correct match is: Holkar - Indore, Scindia - Gwalior, Gaekwad - Baroda, Bhonsle - Nagpur.