Maratha War and Charter Act 1813 | KPSC KAS Preparation: All subjects - KPSC KAS (Karnataka) PDF Download

 Page 1


 
   
 
  
 
The major happenings in British India during the time of Lord Wellesly will be discussed in this 
lesson.  
First Anglo Maratha war took place from 1775 to 1782. It was fought between the British and 
the minister of Peshwa of Maratha Empire, Nana Fadnavis. The British could not succeed over the army 
of Marathas. As a result of this war Treaty of Salbai was signed between the British and the Marathas in 
1782. 
The main points of this treaty were 
1. Peace with Marathas for 20 years – There will not be any war with Marathas for the next 20 years. 
2. Raghunath Rao was given pension.   
3. Madhava Rao II was made the Peshwa 
By 1802, a major part of the Indian subcontinent came in the control of the British government. 
This was as a result of British policies like annexation and Subsidiary alliance system. Now, the Governor 
General Wellesly had to somehow annex the territory of Marathas. The annexation of Maratha territory 
being the main objective, The Second Anglo Maratha war took place from 1803 -1805.  
The happenings which led to second Maratha 
war were 
1. The great Maratha statesman Nana Fadnavis 
died in 1800. 
2. After his death war broke out between the 
Maratha chiefs – Bhonsle and Scindhia. 
3. Due to this clash, Peshwa Baji Rao II sought 
the support of the British, as a result Treaty of 
Basseign was signed in 1802 with the British.  
 
The British defeated the combined forces of Scindia and Bhonsle in the Second Anglo Maratha 
War which took place between 1803 and 1805. After the Second Anglo Maratha war, the territories 
under Scindia and Bhonsle entered into Subsidiary alliance with the British. The Maratha power 
weakened gradually. 
 
          
MODERN INDIAN HISTORY
 
   
 
BRITISH RULE
 
 
Page 2


 
   
 
  
 
The major happenings in British India during the time of Lord Wellesly will be discussed in this 
lesson.  
First Anglo Maratha war took place from 1775 to 1782. It was fought between the British and 
the minister of Peshwa of Maratha Empire, Nana Fadnavis. The British could not succeed over the army 
of Marathas. As a result of this war Treaty of Salbai was signed between the British and the Marathas in 
1782. 
The main points of this treaty were 
1. Peace with Marathas for 20 years – There will not be any war with Marathas for the next 20 years. 
2. Raghunath Rao was given pension.   
3. Madhava Rao II was made the Peshwa 
By 1802, a major part of the Indian subcontinent came in the control of the British government. 
This was as a result of British policies like annexation and Subsidiary alliance system. Now, the Governor 
General Wellesly had to somehow annex the territory of Marathas. The annexation of Maratha territory 
being the main objective, The Second Anglo Maratha war took place from 1803 -1805.  
The happenings which led to second Maratha 
war were 
1. The great Maratha statesman Nana Fadnavis 
died in 1800. 
2. After his death war broke out between the 
Maratha chiefs – Bhonsle and Scindhia. 
3. Due to this clash, Peshwa Baji Rao II sought 
the support of the British, as a result Treaty of 
Basseign was signed in 1802 with the British.  
 
The British defeated the combined forces of Scindia and Bhonsle in the Second Anglo Maratha 
War which took place between 1803 and 1805. After the Second Anglo Maratha war, the territories 
under Scindia and Bhonsle entered into Subsidiary alliance with the British. The Maratha power 
weakened gradually. 
 
          
MODERN INDIAN HISTORY
 
   
 
BRITISH RULE
 
 
 
   
 
 
In 1800, Lord Wellesly founded the Fort 
William college in Kolkatta. It was a training center 
for the officers involved in the governance of India.  
 
    
 
 
 
The Governors General after Lord Wellesly were  
- Sir George  (1805 -1807) 
- Lord Minto   (1807 -1813) 
- Lord Hastings   (1813 -1823) 
Charter Act – 1813 
? This act asserted the crown’s sovereignty over British possessions in India. 
? Trade monopoly was ended except for trade in tea and with China. 
? Granted permission to the missionaries to come to India and engage in religious 
proselytization. 
? Financial grant towards the revival of Indian literature and promotion of science. 
? Fund for education – about 1 lakh. 
?  
Third Anglo Maratha war 1817 -1818 ( Governal General – Lord Hastings) 
           In 1817, Peshwa Baji Rao II tried to organize a confederacy of Maratha chiefs against the English. 
Baji Rao II was asked to sign a humiliating treaty. He refused to sign the treaty and declared a war against 
the British. He was defeated by the British and Maratha became fully under British control. Lord 
Hastings, the Governor General established British supremacy in India.