The Great Maratha Empire

and the Vijaynagar

Kingdom
 Faculty for History & Geography

Akash Shrivastava
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• A proud Ex-NDA - 31801-H-118
• MBA from KJ Somaiya College Mumbai 2014
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1.Which among the following are the reasons for the decline of the
Maratha empire?
1) Internal and military weakness of the Marathas
2) Jagirdari system decline during the Maratha war of independence
3) Incapable Leadership of Marathas
Select the correct answer from given below:
निम्िलिखित में से कौि मराठा साम्राज्य के पति के कारण हैं?
1) मराठों की आंतररक और सैन्य कमजोरी
2) स्वतंत्रता के मराठा यद्
ु ध के दौराि जागीरदारी व्यवस्था में गगरावट
3) मराठों का असमथथ िेतत्ृ व
िीचे ददए गए ववकल्पों में से सही उत्तर का चयि करें :
A. 1 and 2 only B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only D. All of the above
Ans. C
Sol: From the beginning to the end, the Marathas' weakness against the
English was their lack of unity among themselves. When the Marathas came
into conflict with the English, they never attempted to establish an
organized, orderly, and well-governed empire, and as a result, they were
unable to gain the allegiance of the Indians.
Various factors have been assigned for the defeat of the Marathas against
the British. Some of them were as follows:
* Internal weakness of the Marathas
* Lack of political foresight
* Incapable Leadership
* Weakness in the social organization of the Marathas
* Neglect of economic affairs by the Marathas
* Military weakness of the Marathas
* The superior diplomatic skill & spy-system of the British
* The Jagirdari system increases during the Maratha war of independence
2.A statue of Maratha warrior Shivaji is being planned in the state of
Maharashtra. Which of the following statements are incorrect about Shivaji?
A. He built a strong naval force to protect the Malabar coast from foreign
invaders
B. Shivaji was the first to build a professional Maratha Army
C. His military strategy specialized in guerilla warfare
D. He promoted the usage of Marathi and Sanskrit in the court and
administration
महाराष्ट्र राज्य में मराठा योद्धा लिवाजी की एक मूनतथ िगािे की योजिा बिाई जा
रही है । निम्िलिखित बयािों में से कौि सा लिवाजी के बारे में सत्य िहीं हैं?
A. उन्होंिे ववदे िी आक्रमणकाररयों से मािाबार तट की रक्षा के लिए एक मजबूत
िौसैनिक बि बिाया
B. लिवाजी एक पेिव
े र मराठा सेिा का निमाथण करिे वािे पहिे व्यक्तत थे
C. उिकी सैन्य रणिीनत गुररल्िा युद्ध में वविेष थी
D. उन्होंिे अदाित और प्रिासि में मराठी और संस्कृत के उपयोग को बढावा ददया
Ans. A
Sol: Strategy: This question requires knowledge, but also a keen eye and calm
mind. Read each and every word of the question and option. On seeing the first
option, many may jump at the thought of, ‘I know this relatively unknown fact of
naval prowess’ and avoid the word ‘Malabar’ which is given instead of Konkan
coast. Hence, read each and every word of the questions before answering.
Explanation: Shivaji was a keen military strategist and built a strong naval fleet
containing different types of ships to protect the Konkan coast from pirates and
foreign invaders like the Portuguese. Hence, A is false.
Shivaji was the first to build a professional Maratha Army and ensured payment
throughout the year to soldiers in return for their services. Hence, B is true.
His military strategy pioneered non-conventional methods like guerilla warfare
which leveraged strategic factors like geography, speed, and surprise and focused
pinpoint attacks to defeat his larger and more powerful enemies. Hence, C is
true.
He revived ancient Hindu political traditions and court conventions and
promoted the usage of Marathi and Sanskrit, rather than Persian, in court and
administration. Hence, D is true.
3.In the year ______, the Maratha Empire ceased to exist with
the surrender of the Marathas to the British, ending the Third
Anglo-Martha War.
वषथ ______ में , मराठा साम्राज्य अंग्रेजों के समक्ष आत्मसमपथण करिे और तीसरे एंग्िो-
मराठा युद्ध को समाप्त करिे के साथ समाप्त हो गया था।

A. 1792 B. 1806
C. 1811 D. 1818
Ans. D
Sol: • The Third Anglo-Maratha War happened in 1817-18,
resulted in capturing major Maratha areas by britishers.

• Peshwa Baji Rao II's forces, supported by Mudhoji II Bhonsle

of Nagpur and Malharrao Holkar III of Indore, rose against the
East India Company, but eventually failed to regain power.
4.The Maratha Empire ended with which of the following ruler?
A. Chhatrapati Shivaji B. Peshwa Bajirao I
C. Holkars D. Peshwa Bajirao II
निम्ि में ककस िासक के साथ मराठा िासि का अंत हुआ था?
A. छत्रपनत लिवाजी B. पेिवा बाजीराव 1
C. होल्कसथ D. पेिवा बाजीराव 2
Ans. D
Sol: The Maratha Empire or the Maratha Confederacy was an
Indian power that dominated much of the Indian subcontinent
in the 18th century. The empire was formally established in
1674 with the coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji and ended in
1818 with the defeat of Peshwa Bajirao II.
5.Consider the following statements regarding the revenue
system of Maratha Empire:
1) Sardeshmukhi was one fourth of the land revenue which was
paid to the Marathas to avoid the Maratha raids.
2) Chauth was an additional levy of ten percent on those lands
on which the Marathas claimed hereditary rights.
3) The Kathi of Malik Ambar was adopted as the unit of
measurement in Maratha empire.
Which of the statements given above are incorrect?
A. 1 and 2 only B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only D. All of the above
5. मराठा साम्राज्य की राजस्व व्यवस्था के संदर्थ में , निम्िलिखित
कथिों पर ववचार कीक्जए:
1) सरदे िमि
ु ी र्ू राजस्व का एक चौथाई र्ाग होता था, क्जसे
मराठो के आक्रमणों से बचिे के लिए मराठों को ददया जाता था।
2) चौथ उस र्लू म पर दस प्रनतित का अनतररतत कर था, क्जस
पर मराठा वंिािुगत अगधकारों का दावा करते थे।
3) मलिक अम्बर की कठी को मराठा साम्राज्य िे माप की इकाई
के रूप में अपिाया।
ऊपर ददए गए कथिों में से कौि से कथि सही िही है ?
A. केवि 1 और 2 B. केवि 2 और 3
C. केवि 1 केवि 3 D. उपयत
ुथ त सर्ी
Ans. A
Sol: Chauth was one fourth of the land revenue which was paid
to the Marathas to avoid the Maratha raids. Sardeshmukhi was
additional levy of 10% on such lands on which Marathas
considered hereditary rights. Chauth and sardeshmukhi were
the two instruments used by Shivaji to obtain treasure from the
enemy territory.
9.Directions: Answer the following questions by selecting the
most appropriate option.
What is the name of the council which Shivaji had formed of
eight ministers that administered the Maratha empire?
A. Ashta Sena B. Ashta Pradhan
C. Nyaya Pradhan D. Ashta Siddhi
निदे िः सबसे उपयुतत ववकल्प का चयि करके निम्ि सवािों के जवाब दीक्जए।
पररषद का तया िाम था क्जसमें लिवाजी िे मराठा साम्राज्य प्रिालसत करिे के लिए
आठ मंत्रत्रयों का गठि ककया था?
A. आष्ट्टा लिवसेिा B. अष्ट्टप्रधाि
C. न्याय प्रधाि D. आष्ट्टा लसद्गध
Ans. B
Sol: Ashta Pradhan was a council of eight ministers that
administered the Maratha empire. The council was formed in
1674 by founding Emperor Chhatrapati Shivaji.The term Ashta
Pradhan literally translates to “the Prime Eight”, from the
Sanskrit ashta (“eight”) and pradhan (“prime”). The body
discharged the functions of a modern council of ministers; this
is regarded as one of the first successful instances of ministerial
delegation in India. The council is credited with having
implemented good governance practices in the Maratha
heartland, as well as for the success of the military campaigns
against the Mughal Empire.
10.Which of the following was the capital of Chhatrapati Shivaji
empire?
A. Gingee B. Raigad Fort
C. Satara D. Pune
निम्ि में से कौि सा स्थाि छत्रपनत लिवाजी साम्राज्य की राजधािी थी?
A. गगंगी B. रायगढ ककिा
C. सतारा D. पुणे
Ans. B
Sol: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj built Raigad fort and made it
his capital in 1674 when he was crowned as the King of a
Maratha Kingdom which later developed into the Maratha
Empire, eventually covering much of western and central India.
Raigad is a hill fort situated in the Mahad, Raigad district of
Maharashtra, India.
14. During whose reign did the Italian traveller Nicolo
Conti travel to Vijayanagar?
A. Devaraya I
B. Devaraya II
C. Krishnadevaraya
D. Harihar I

इटिी का यात्री निकोिो काण्टी ववजयिगर की यात्रा पर ककसके

िासि काि में आया?
A. दे वराय प्रथम
B. दे वराय द्ववतीय
C. कृष्ट्णदे वराय
D. हररहर प्रथम
Ans. A

The traveller of Italy, Nicolo Conti, came on a visit to

Vijayanagara during the reign of Devaraya I. Devaraya I
built a dam on the Tungabhadra river to bring canals to the
city to overcome the scarcity of water. He also built a dam
on the river Haridra for irrigation. Devaraya I (1406–1422
AD) was the de facto successor of the Vijayanagara Empire
after Harihar II. He faced the invasion of the Bahmani
Sultan Ferozeshah during his reign. Devaraya I had to face
internal rebellions in his time as well, but eventually, he
succeeded in suppressing them. After defeating Firoz Shah
Bahmani, Devaray I married his daughter to Firoz Shah.
15.Match the List I with List II and select the correct
answer using the code given below :
List I List II
(Dynasty) (Founder)
A) Sangama 1) Tirumala
B) Saluva 2) Harihar and Bukka
C) Tuluva 3) Veer Narasimha
D) Aravidu 4) Saluva Narasimha

Codes:
A-B-C-D
A. A-2 B-4 C-1 D-3 B. A-2 B-4 C-3 D-1
C. A-3 B-4 C-1 D-2 D. A-4 B-3 C-2 D-1
सचू ी Iके साथ सच ू ी II का लमिाि करें और िीचे ददए गए कोडों में से
सही उत्तर चुिें:
सच ू ीI सचू ी II
(वंि) (संस्थापक)
A) संगम 1) नतरूमािा
B) सािव ु 2) हररहर और बुतका
C) तुिव ु 3) वीर िरलसम्हा
D) अराववडू 4) सिव ु ा िरलसम्हा

कोड़:
A–B–C-D
A. A-2 B-4 C-1 D-3 B. A-2 B-4 C-3 D-1
C. A-3 B-4 C-1 D-2 D. A-4 B-3 C-2 D-1
Ans. B

Harihar and Bukka laid the foundation of Vijaynagar and

was the founder of Sangam Dynasty of 1336-1485, Saluva
Dynasty of 1486-1505 was founded by Saluva Narasimha,
Tuluva Dynasty of 1505-1570 was founded by Veer
Narasimha who was the son of Narsa Nakaya and Aravidu
Dynasty of 1570-1650 AD was founded by Tirumala Raya
who was the brother of Rama Raja.
16. Which one of the following dynasties ruled under the
suzerainty of Kingdom of Vijayanagar?
A. Sangamas, Saluvas, Tuluvas and Aravidus
B. Sangamas, Hoysalas, Aravidus and Tuluvas
C. Hoysalas, Saluvas, Poligars and Sangamas
D. Yadavas of Devagiri, Hoysalas, Saluvas and Aravidus

निम्ि राजवंिों में से ककसिे ववजयिगर साम्राज्य पर िासि

ककया?
A. संगम, सािव ु , तुिव
ु और आरववडु
B. संगम, होयसि, आरववडु और तुिव ु
C. होयसि, सािव ु , पोलिगर और संगम
D. दे वगगरर के यादव, होयसि, सािव ु और आरववडु
Ans. A

There were four dynasties that ruled over Vijaynagar. They

are as follows:
1. Sangama dynasty (1336-1485)
2. Saluva Dynasty (1485-1505)
3. Tuluva Dynasty(1491-1570)
4. Aravidu Dynasty(1542-1686)
19. What is Amukthamalyada?
A. Name of a foreign traveller who visited the Bahmani
Kingdom
B. An epic poem written by a Vijaynagar ruler
C. A step well built during the Chola rule
D. Post of Bakshi under the Bahmani Kingdom

आमत ु तमाल्यद _____ है ।

A. बहमिी साम्राज्य का दौरा करिे वािे ववदे िी यात्री का िाम
B. ववजयिगर िासक द्वारा लििी गया एक महाकाव्य
C. चोि िासि के दौराि स्टे प वेि बिाया गया
D. बहमिी साम्राज्य के तहत बतिी का पद
Ans. B

Amuktamalyada is an epic poem in Telugu composed by

Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagar Dynasty. It describes
the story of the wedding of the Hindu lord Vishnu and
Andal, the Tamil Alvar poet and daughter of Periyalvar at
Srirangam.
11.Which of the following was the currency of Maratha empire?
A. Hon B. Shivrai
C. Mohar D. All of the above
निम्ि में से मराठा साम्राज्य की मुद्रा कौि सी थी?
A. होि B. लिवराई
C. मोहर D. उपरोतत सर्ी
Ans. D
Sol: Shivrai was a copper coin minted during the rule of
Marathas and remained in circulation till the end of the 19th
century, primarily in the Bombay Presidency region. As well as
Mohar, Hon, Paisa and Rupee was also the currency of Maratha
empire.
12.Who was known as the Second founder of the Maratha
Empire?
A. Balaji Vishwanath B. Balaji Baji Rao
C. Balaji Rao I D. Madhav Rao
मराठा साम्राज्य का दस
ू रा संस्थापक ककसे मािा जाता है ?
A. बािाजी ववश्विाथ B. बािाजी बाजी राव
C. बाजी राव I D. माधव राव
Ans. A
Sol: Balaji Vishwanath is known as the second founder of the
Maratha Empire.
He was the first of series of hereditary Peshwas. He helped the
young Shahu to consolidate his grip on a kingdom that had
been racked by civil war and persistent attacks from Mughals.