The **Treaty of Bassein** (1802) was a significant pact signed between the British East India Company and **Baji Rao II**, the Peshwa of the Maratha Empire.
**Background:**
- The Marathas had been in conflict with the British East India Company over territorial disputes and control in India.
- Baji Rao II, who was facing internal revolts and external threats, sought British assistance to regain power and stability in his empire.
**Negotiations:**
- The Treaty of Bassein was negotiated in 1802, with the British promising military support to Baji Rao II in exchange for certain privileges and control over Maratha territories.
**Key Points of the Treaty:**
- Baji Rao II agreed to acknowledge British paramountcy in India, making the British East India Company the dominant power in the region.
- The Marathas were required to accept British residency in Pune, the Maratha Empire's capital, which allowed the British to have a permanent presence in the region.
- The treaty also granted certain territories to the British, further expanding their influence in India.
**Significance:**
- The Treaty of Bassein marked a turning point in Indian history, as it paved the way for British dominance in India and the eventual decline of the Maratha Empire.
- The treaty strained relations between the Marathas and other Indian powers, leading to further conflicts and the eventual British annexation of Maratha territories.
In conclusion, the Treaty of Bassein was a crucial agreement that reshaped the power dynamics in India, leading to the consolidation of British control and the weakening of indigenous rulers like Baji Rao II and the Marathas.