The Maratha Empire – NDA History PYQs

Practice NDA History previous-year questions with detailed solutions and explanations.

Chapter-wise PYQs • Concept-based explanations • Exam insights

NDA 2022-II

Q. 1. Which one of the following areas was acquired by the British under the Treaty of Deogaon, 1803?

(a) Cuttack

(b) Murshidabad

(d) Calicut

Answer: (a) Cuttack

Explanation: The Treaty of Deogaon was signed with the Raja of Berar. Under its terms, the British gained Cuttack and Balasore. This linked British territory between Calcutta and Madras. So option (a) Cuttack is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Territory gained through the Treaty of Deogaon

NDA 2012-II

Q. 2. Which one among the following wars ended by the Treaty of Salbai?

(a) First Maratha War

(b) Second Maratha War

(d) Fourth Mysore War

Answer: (a) First Maratha War

Explanation: The Treaty of Salbai concluded the First Anglo-Maratha War. It was signed in 1782 between the English and the Marathas. Raghunath Rao received a fixed yearly pension under its terms. So option (a) First Maratha War is the correct answer. Concept Tested: War concluded by the Treaty of Salbai

NDA 2012-I

Q. 3. Which one among the following was not one of the causes of the Third Anglo-Maratha War?

(a) The Maratha Chiefs, particularly the Peshwa, desired to throw off the restrictions imposed on them by the treaties with the English

(b) The determination of the English to give a finishing blow to the Maratha power

(d) The attack of Peshwa Baji Rao on the residency at Khirki

Answer: (c) The Pindari designs to seek support from the Marathas to drive the English away from India

Explanation: The Pindaris were raiders loosely linked to the Marathas. They did not plan or seek Maratha help to expel the English. So option (c) describes a cause that did not actually exist. The Peshwa genuinely wanted freedom from British treaty restrictions. The English were indeed determined to finally crush Maratha power. Peshwa Baji Rao’s forces did attack the Residency at Khirki. These other three options describe real, documented causes. Concept Tested: Genuine causes of the Third Anglo-Maratha War

★ JOVIK Exam Insight: British anti-Pindari operations were a pretext for war with the Marathas, not a Pindari plan to ally with them. Keep these two ideas separate.

Quick Revision

The Third Anglo-Maratha War is also called the Pindari War, fought 1817-1819.
Peshwa Baji Rao II’s forces attacked the British Residency at Khirki (Kirkee) in 1817.
The Treaty of Salbai (1782) ended the First Anglo-Maratha War.
The Treaty of Deogaon (1803) gave the British Cuttack and Balasore from the Raja of Berar.