End of the Third Anglo-Maratha War - [June 3, 1818] This Day in History

The Third Anglo-Maratha War came to an end with a decisive British victory over the various Maratha powers on 3rd June 1818. In this edition of This Day in History, you can read about the ​ culmination of the Third Anglo-Maratha war for the IAS exam.

Background of the Third Anglo - Maratha War

The Second Anglo-Maratha war had ended in 1805 with the defeat of the Marathas. Large parts of Central India came under the direct control of British East India Company (December 31st, 1600). In order to exert better control over their new territories and ensure that the Marathas would not plan future conflicts with them, the British placed residents in Maratha courts. The residents on their part interfered in the internal matters of the Marathas leading to an increase in resentment among the Maratha Chiefs.

This did not mean the Maratha leadership was done with their ambition in driving the British out and winning back lost lands For this, the three Maratha chiefs Peshwa Baji Rao II (Pune), Mudhoji II Bhonsle (Nagpur) and Malharrao Holkar (Indore) united against the British. The fourth chief Daulatrao Shinde stayed away due to diplomatic pressure from the British. The British also had grievances as the Marathas had support given to the Pindari mercenaries. Pindaris have been conducting raids into British territories with covert and overt Maratha support.

In 1813, Governor-General Lord Hastings imposed many measures against the Marathas. The Peshwa Baji Rao II, as part of the united Maratha front, also roped in the support of the Pindaris. He also brought about certain changes in his administration with a view to increasing revenue.

The British then accused him of maladministration. They continued to harass the Marathas with several demeaning treaties.

The Peshwa, losing his patience with the British high-handedness, sacked and burned the British residency in Pune.

War ensued between the British and the three Maratha forces in 1818.

The course of the Third- Anglo Maratha War and its Aftermath.

British victories were swift, resulting in the breakup of the Maratha Empire and the loss of Maratha independence. The Peshwa was defeated in the battles of Khadki and Koregaon. Several minor battles were fought by the Peshwa's forces to prevent his capture. The Peshwa was eventually captured and placed on a small estate at Bithur, near Kanpur. Most of his territory was annexed and became part of the Bombay Presidency.

● Several treaties were signed between the Maratha chiefs and the British which gave rd them hegemony over the Maratha Empire. Baji Rao II surrendered on 3 ​ June 1818. He ​ was pensioned off to Bithur in Kanpur. His estates and territories were taken away and added to the Bombay Presidency. His adopted son, Nana Saheb, became one of the main leaders of the Revolt of 1857. One of the reasons for Nana’s disenchantment was that he was denied the inheritance of his estate. ● The territories annexed from the Pindaris became part of the Central Provinces. ● This war led to the end of the great Maratha Empire in India. A descendent of Chhatrapati Shivaji was made the titular head of the Maratha Confederacy and placed at Satara. ● With this, the British controlled almost all parts of the subcontinent either directly or indirectly. This was the last major war they fought in India before the Revolt of 1857.