Third Anglo Maratha War

The Third Anglo-Maratha War was fought between the years 1817 and 1819. This conflict was between the East India Company and the Maratha Empire of the Indian Subcontinent. The topic Third Anglo-Maratha War will answer what were the consequences of the third Anglo-Maratha war. The end of this war gave away a major portion of the Indian subcontinent into the hands of the British East India Company. The Maratha empire came to an end after the victory of the British in the Third Anglo-Maratha War. Earlier to this, the Maratha Empire held powerful control over a large portion of India during the 17th Century. The Third Anglo Maratha War was an important facet in the history of pre-colonial India as it marked the decisive end to a long period of conflicts between the Marathas and the British Army.

The  Maratha and the British

•  The first half of the 19th century was a time which saw the British consolidating their power and expanding their reach in the Indian subcontinent. Through various legal and economics policies, the British sought ultimate power from the hands of regional kingdoms. One such regional power was Maratha. It had embroiled in a series of war with the British prior to 1817. As the British carried out its extensive business activities through the newly acquired terrains, the threat of looting and murdering by Pindaris became a concern. The British forces suspected the Marathas supporting the Pindaris. Peshwa Baji Rao II had introduced certain revenue policies that went against British interests. At the onslaught of humiliating treaties that the British imposed on the Peshwa, he attacked a British residency in Poona sparking off the Third Anglo Maratha War. 

War of 1817-19

With the end of the second Anglo-Maratha war, the Maratha Empire tried to bring back its historical prestige. They were not pleased with the company’s interference in their internal matters of polity and living. They were determined to take back all taken portions of their kingdom from the East India Company. 

The third Anglo-Maratha war left the major portion of the country in the British hands. The war began with the Marathas attacking a British residence in Poona and Khirki. At one point, the troops of the company were outnumbered; however, the Maratha soldiers were demolished in the hands of the East India Company. 

• British troops immediately attacked the soldiers of Maratha. The British troops surrounded Pune and the Peshwa was pushed to flee to Purander, then they had taken the path to Satara. Later, the soldier along with the Peshwa took the path to the Koregaon- and the battle of Koregaon took place. 

• Lord Hastings wanted Pindaris to be demolished. This was because of the Pindaris characters of raiding and looting regions. The Pindaris had raided the territories of the British East India Company between the years 1817 and 1818. 

• Nagpur had a treaty with the British company. The support provided by Mudhoji Bhonsle of Nagpur was instrumental for Maratha’s forces in  the third Anglo-Maratha war. 

The lack of good relations with other provinces, unity, and the failure to hold up with Britain’s political and diplomatic features were a few of the reasons for the loss of the Marathas. 

Consequences

After looking at the third Anglo-Maratha war of 1817-19; let us look at the answer to the question of what were the consequences of the third Anglo-Maratha war. 

One of the main consequences of the war was the dethroning of the Peshwas Ruler. The end of this war gave away a major portion of the Indian subcontinent into the hands of the British East India Company. The consequence can be seen in the form of several treaties. The third Anglo-Maratha war ended with the treaty of Mandasor- which was signed between the chief of Holkar and the British Empire. The Peshwa was captured after he had surrendered. He was then placed at Bithur.

Therefore, this was one of the final conflicts and wars fought by the British. With the victory in this war, they held control over the major portion of the Indian Subcontinent. 

Conclusion

The Third Anglo-Maratha War was an important event as it curbed the power of Maratha for a long duration. The territories that previously belonged to the Peshwa and the Marathas were now incorporated into a new city that the British were turning in to a business administrative hub- Bombay Presidency. The empire came to end after the victory of the British in the Third Anglo-Maratha War. The result of this situation added to the dissatisfaction of the Marathas who would revolt again in the Mutinies of 1857. The third Anglo-Maratha war ended with the treaty of Mandasor, signed between the chief of Holkar and the British Empire with the Peshwa captured and stripped off his powers.