Question

The chapter states, “The British took India from the Marathas more than from the Mughals or any other power.” What do you think this means? What evidence from the chapter supports this idea?

Answer 1

The statement means that when the British were expanding their power in India, the Marathas were the strongest Indian power and the main challenge to British rule. The Mughal Empire had already weakened, while the Marathas controlled large parts of India and even controlled Delhi for some time.

The chapter supports this idea by mentioning that the Marathas were the chief rivals of the British in the latter half of the 18th century. The British fought three Anglo-Maratha Wars between 1775 and 1818 to defeat them. The Marathas had also recovered after the defeat at Panipat and recaptured Delhi in 1771, which remained under their control until the British captured it about three decades later. Finally, internal disunity among the Marathas and the superior organisation and technology of the British helped the British end Maratha power.