Question Bank — The Rise of the Marathas

QUESTION BANK

Chapter 3: The Rise of the Marathas

Section A — MCQs (10 questions, 1 mark each)

1. Who founded the Maratha kingdom in the 17th century?
   a) Sambhaji b) Rajaram c) Chhatrapati Shivaji d) Peshwa Bajirao I

2. Which of the following was a revolutionary step taken by Chhatrapati Shivaji?
   a) Establishment of the Maratha navy b) Introduction of Persian seals c) Abolition of all forts d) Alliance with the Bijapur Sultanate

3. The Marathas levied which two taxes from provinces not directly under them?
   a) Chauth and Sardeshmukhi b) Jizya and Zakat c) Land tax and House tax d) Octroi and Customs

4. Assertion (A): Chhatrapati Shivaji abolished hereditary posts and paid salaries to officials from the state treasury.
   Reason (R): This ensured that officials did not become too powerful and could not dictate terms to the king.
   a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
   b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
   c) A is true but R is false.
   d) A is false but R is true.

5. Which Maratha ruler rebuilt the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi?
   a) Tarabai b) Ahilyabai Holkar c) Serfoji II d) Mahadji Shinde

6. The Maratha navy was first established to secure access to which region?
   a) The Deccan plateau b) The west coast c) Northern India d) The Gangetic plains

7. Assertion (A): Forts were described as “the core of the state” in the Ādnyāpatra.
   Reason (R): The Marathas survived decades of Mughal onslaught mainly because of their network of forts.
   a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
   b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
   c) A is true but R is false.
   d) A is false but R is true.

8. Who guided the Marathas to several naval victories in the 18th century?
   a) Kanhoji Angre b) Nana Phadnavis c) Ekoji d) Bhushan

9. The Rājyābhiṣheka shaka was started by Chhatrapati Shivaji after his coronation at:
   a) Pratapgad b) Raigad c) Gingee d) Sindhudurg

10. Which battle in 1761 temporarily checked Maratha expansion in the north?
    a) Battle of Buxar b) Battle of Panipat c) Third Anglo-Maratha War d) Battle of Plassey

Section B — Very Short Answer (6 questions, 2 marks each)

1. Define the term ‘Swarājya’ as used by Chhatrapati Shivaji.
2. Identify the two types of cavalry soldiers in the Maratha army and state one difference between them.
3. State any two features of Chhatrapati Shivaji’s judicial system.
4. Who was Tarabai and what role did she play in Maratha expansion?
5. Mention two ways in which Chhatrapati Shivaji promoted the Marathi language.
6. Identify the aṣhṭa pradhāna manḍala and name any two ministers.

Section C — Short Answer (5 questions, 3 marks each)

1. Explain how Chhatrapati Shivaji used guerrilla warfare against larger armies. Give two examples from his campaigns.
2. Compare the naval policy of Chhatrapati Shivaji with that of the Bijapur Sultanate and the Mughals.
3. Give reasons why the Marathas were able to survive Aurangzeb’s long campaign in the Deccan.
4. Explain the significance of the Maratha policy of levying chauth and sardeshmukhi.
5. Describe the contribution of Serfoji II to the cultural life of Thanjavur.

Section D — Long Answer (3 questions, 5 marks each)

1. Analyse the causes and consequences of the structural transformation of the Maratha state after Chhatrapati Shivaji’s death. How did this affect their expansion?
2. Examine the significance of forts and the navy in the rise and survival of Maratha power. How did these institutions reflect Chhatrapati Shivaji’s vision?
3. Discuss the Maratha legacy in Indian history with special reference to administration, cultural revival and resistance to foreign powers.

Section E — Source-Based (2 questions, 4 marks each)

Source 1

“Forts are the core of the state. In their absence, the land gets devastated in the face of an invasion. Therefore, all the former kings secured the country by building forts. This kingdom (Maratha kingdom) was created by the late great master [Chhatrapati Shivaji] from forts alone … A great enemy like Aurangzeb invaded [this kingdom], conquered great empires like Bijapur and Bhaganagar [… but] it was due to forts that the [Maratha] state survived despite decades of onslaught.”
— Ramachandrapant Amatya, Ādnyāpatra

a) What does the source describe as the “core of the state”? (1)
b) Which enemy is mentioned as having conquered Bijapur and Golconda? (1)
c) How did forts help the Marathas according to the source? (1)
d) Why did Chhatrapati Shivaji give special importance to building and controlling forts? (1)

Source 2

“Wood from big trees like teak is required for the Navy. If needed, secure permission for cutting the trees from the forest and then proceed. Other trees like the mango and jackfruit are also useful, but do not touch them. Because such trees take many years to mature, and the people look after them like their children. If you cut them, will their sorrow ever end?”
— Letter issued by Chhatrapati Shivaji to his officials

a) For what purpose was teak wood required? (1)
b) Which trees were Chhatrapati Shivaji especially concerned about protecting? (1)
c) What does the source reveal about his attitude towards his subjects? (1)
d) How does this letter reflect his values as a ruler? (1)