Maratha Empire MCQs for UPSC Prelims

37 practice questions on Maratha Empire from the Ancient & Medieval History section of the UPSC Prelims syllabus. 37 come with a written explanation. Try the sample set below - the answer stays hidden until you ask for it.

7 Easy 16 Medium 14 Hard

Sample questions

Q1
hard

Consider the following statements about the Maratha polity in the eighteenth century: 1. After Shahu, real power increasingly passed to the Peshwas, who became the hereditary chief ministers. 2. 'Chauth' was a tax amounting to roughly one-fourth of the revenue, levied on territories outside direct Maratha control. 3. 'Sardeshmukhi' was an additional levy of about one-tenth claimed on the basis of the Maratha ruler's status as the hereditary head of the region. How many of the statements given above are correct?

  1. A Only one
  2. B Only two
  3. C All three
  4. D None
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C - All three

All three are correct. Under Shahu the Peshwas became hereditary chief ministers and the de facto centre of Maratha power (statement 1 correct). Chauth was a levy of about one-fourth of revenue exacted from territories not directly administered by the Marathas (statement 2 correct). Sardeshmukhi was an additional tax of about one-tenth claimed on the basis of the ruler's hereditary sardeshmukh status (statement 3 correct). Hence all three are correct.

Q2
medium

In the Maratha administrative and fiscal system, the levies known as 'chauth' and 'sardeshmukhi' are best understood as:

  1. A Claims amounting roughly to one-fourth and an additional one-tenth of the revenue, demanded from territories outside direct Maratha control
  2. B Two grades of land revenue collected from peasants within the Maratha homeland
  3. C Customs duties levied at the western coastal ports of the Maratha kingdom
  4. D Religious endowments granted to Brahmanas and temples
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A - Claims amounting roughly to one-fourth and an additional one-tenth of the revenue, demanded from territories outside direct Maratha control

Chauth was a levy of about one-fourth of the standard revenue, and sardeshmukhi an additional charge of about one-tenth, claimed by the Marathas from neighbouring and other territories not under their direct administration, in return for protection (or as the price of non-molestation). They were not internal peasant land revenue, nor port customs duties, nor religious endowments. Hence the description as roughly one-fourth plus an extra one-tenth on external territories is correct.

Q3
hard

In the Maratha revenue and administrative system, the levy known as 'sardeshmukhi' is best described as:

  1. A An additional ten percent claimed by the Maratha ruler as the hereditary chief headman (sardeshmukh) over a territory
  2. B A one-fourth share of revenue extracted from neighbouring kingdoms
  3. C A tax on sea-borne trade collected at Maratha ports
  4. D A grant of land to the Peshwa's Brahmana relatives
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A - An additional ten percent claimed by the Maratha ruler as the hereditary chief headman (sardeshmukh) over a territory

Sardeshmukhi was an additional levy of about ten percent (1/10) that the Maratha ruler claimed on the basis of being the hereditary sardeshmukh (overlord chief) of the region, over and above the chauth. Chauth, by contrast, was the one-fourth (1/4) levy on revenue. So (a) is correct, while (b) describes chauth.

Q4
easy

Consider the following statements regarding the Maratha administration under Shivaji: 1. The Ashtapradhan was a council of eight ministers advising the ruler. 2. The Peshwa was the head of this council and looked after general administration. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A 1 only
  2. B 2 only
  3. C Both 1 and 2
  4. D Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C - Both 1 and 2

Both statements are correct. Shivaji organised his administration through the Ashtapradhan, a council of eight ministers. The Peshwa (Mukhya Pradhan) was the chief among them and was responsible for the general administration and finance of the kingdom during Shivaji's reign (the Peshwa became hereditary and dominant only later under the Bhonsle successors). Since both statements accurately describe the system, 'Both 1 and 2' is correct.

Q5
hard

With reference to the administration of the Maratha state founded by Shivaji, the term 'Chauth' refers to:

  1. A A levy amounting to roughly one-fourth of the revenue collected from territories outside direct Maratha control
  2. B The four-fold council of ministers that advised the Chhatrapati
  3. C A land-survey unit equal to one-quarter of a standard bigha
  4. D The fourth grade of cavalry maintained by Maratha sardars
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A - A levy amounting to roughly one-fourth of the revenue collected from territories outside direct Maratha control

Chauth was a tax of about one-fourth of the standard revenue, levied by the Marathas on territories not under their direct administration, in return for not raiding them. The advisory council of Shivaji was the Ashta Pradhan (eight ministers), not the 'chauth'. Chauth was neither a survey unit nor a cavalry grade; the related levy of one-tenth was the sardeshmukhi. Hence the first option is correct.

Q6
hard

With reference to the Maratha polity, consider the following statements: 1. The 'Ashtapradhan' was the council of eight ministers constituted by Shivaji. 2. 'Sardeshmukhi' was an additional levy of one-tenth claimed by the Marathas in territories where they exercised the hereditary rights of the chief headman. 3. The office of the Peshwa became effectively hereditary in the Bhat family from the time of Balaji Vishwanath. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. A 1 and 2 only
  2. B 2 and 3 only
  3. C 1 and 3 only
  4. D 1, 2 and 3
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: D - 1, 2 and 3

All three are correct. The Ashtapradhan was Shivaji's council of eight chief ministers, headed by the Peshwa. Sardeshmukhi was an additional ten per cent levy claimed on the basis of the Marathas' assertion of hereditary sardeshmukh (chief headman) rights, over and above the one-fourth chauth. The Peshwaship became hereditary in the Bhat (Bhatt) family beginning with Balaji Vishwanath. Hence all three statements are correct.

Q7
hard

Assertion (A): Shivaji organised his revenue administration partly on the basis of the system associated with Malik Ambar. Reason (R): Malik Ambar had introduced a revenue settlement in the Deccan based on the measurement and assessment of land. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. A Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
  2. B Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
  3. C A is true, but R is false
  4. D A is false, but R is true
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A - Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A

Both statements are true and R explains A. Malik Ambar, the able administrator of Ahmadnagar, introduced a systematic land-revenue settlement in the Deccan based on the measurement and assessment of land, broadly along lines comparable to Todar Mal's. Shivaji's own revenue arrangements drew upon this Deccan tradition of measured assessment before being further developed. Because the existence and nature of Malik Ambar's measured settlement (R) is precisely the reason it could serve as a basis for Shivaji's system (A), R correctly explains A.

Q8
easy

The Maratha administrative council of eight ministers established under Shivaji was known as the:

  1. A Ashtapradhan
  2. B Diwan-i-Arz
  3. C Mahalwari
  4. D Sabha-Samiti
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A - Ashtapradhan

Shivaji organised his administration around a council of eight ministers called the Ashtapradhan, headed by the Peshwa. The Diwan-i-Arz was a Sultanate military department, Mahalwari was a later colonial revenue system, and Sabha-Samiti were Vedic assemblies, none of which fit.

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