GK Questions on Maratha Empire: 70 Multiple Choice Questions for Exams

GK Questions on the Maratha Empire are most commonly asked in exams. Therefore, it is best to be prepared. The questions on the Maratha Empire, like who founded the empire, are basic. However, if you want to go beyond the easy questions, you must read this blog. We have covered 70 multiple-choice questions for exams. Go through these questions and answers to get an in-depth understanding of the history, fierce leaders, and key battles that shaped one of the most powerful empires.

Top 20 GK Questions on the Maratha Empire

The following are the top twenty GK questions on the Maratha Empire that you must read. The Maratha Empire played an important role in challenging the Mughal rule and laying the foundation for the modern Indian resistance against foreign domination.

1. Who founded the Maratha Empire?
a) Balaji Baji Rao
b) Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
c) Sambhaji
d) Shahu
Answer: b) Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

2. The coronation of Shivaji took place in which year?
a) 1664
b) 1674
c) 1680
d) 1659
Answer: b) 1674

3. The capital of the Maratha Empire under Shivaji was?
a) Poona
b) Raigad
c) Satara
d) Kolhapur
Answer: b) Raigad

4. The Peshwa who expanded the Maratha Empire to its greatest extent was?
a) Baji Rao I
b) Balaji Vishwanath
c) Madhavrao I
d) Narayan Rao
Answer: a) Baji Rao I

5. Who introduced the concept of “Ashta Pradhan” in Maratha administration?
a) Shivaji
b) Shahu
c) Baji Rao I
d) Sambhaji
Answer: a) Shivaji

6. The Maratha Empire lost the Third Battle of Panipat in which year?
a) 1757
b) 1761
c) 1772
d) 1780
Answer: b) 1761

7. Who was the commander of the Maratha army at the Third Battle of Panipat?
a) Mahadji Shinde
b) Nana Saheb
c) Sadashivrao Bhau
d) Raghunath Rao
Answer: c) Sadashivrao Bhau

8. The Treaty of Purandar (1665) was signed between Shivaji and which Mughal general?
a) Aurangzeb
b) Jai Singh I
c) Bahadur Shah
d) Mir Jumla
Answer: b) Jai Singh I

9. Who succeeded Shivaji as the ruler of the Maratha Empire?
a) Shahu
b) Sambhaji
c) Rajaram
d) Balaji Vishwanath
Answer: b) Sambhaji

10. Which Maratha leader signed the Treaty of Salbai in 1782?
a) Mahadji Shinde
b) Nana Phadnavis
c) Baji Rao II
d) Ragunath Rao
Answer: a) Mahadji Shinde

11. The Maratha navy was primarily developed by whom?
a) Shivaji
b) Kanhoji Angre
c) Sambhaji
d) Moropant
Answer: b) Kanhoji Angre

12. The Maratha Empire’s formal end came after which war?
a) First Anglo-Maratha War
b) Third Anglo-Maratha War
c) Second Anglo-Maratha War
d) Battle of Plassey
Answer: b) Third Anglo-Maratha War

13. What was the official language of the Maratha court?
a) Hindi
b) Sanskrit
c) Marathi
d) Persian
Answer: c) Marathi

14. Who was the last Peshwa of the Maratha Empire?
a) Baji Rao II
b) Madhavrao II
c) Narayanrao
d) Vishwasrao
Answer: a) Baji Rao II

15. Which Mughal emperor conferred the title of “Chhatrapati” on Shivaji?
a) Shah Jahan
b) Aurangzeb
c) None – Shivaji declared himself
d) Bahadur Shah I
Answer: c) None – Shivaji declared himself

16. Which fort was the site of Shivaji’s coronation?
a) Rajgad
b) Raigad
c) Pratapgad
d) Torna
Answer: b) Raigad

17. Who was Shivaji’s guru and spiritual guide?
a) Tukaram
b) Ramdas
c) Eknath
d) Namdev
Answer: b) Ramdas

18. The Marathas levied a tax on land known as?
a) Jaziya
b) Chauth
c) Sardeshmukhi
d) Lagaan
Answer: b) Chauth

19. The chief minister in the Ashta Pradhan council was called?
a) Senapati
b) Amatya
c) Peshwa
d) Nyayadhish
Answer: c) Peshwa

20. Who was the first Peshwa of the Maratha Empire?
a) Balaji Vishwanath
b) Baji Rao I
c) Moropant Trimbak
d) Parshuram Trimbak
Answer: c) Moropant Trimbak

Popular GK Questions on the Maratha Empire with Answers

These are the popular GK questions on the Maratha Empire. The answers to these questions are given below:

1. The Maratha Empire was primarily located in which region of India?
a) South India
b) Western India
c) Northern India
d) Eastern India
Answer: b) Western India

2. Who was the Maratha king imprisoned by Aurangzeb and later escaped?
a) Shahu
b) Shivaji
c) Sambhaji
d) Rajaram
Answer: b) Shivaji

3. The administrative system of Shivaji was inspired by which ancient Indian text?
a) Arthashastra
b) Manusmriti
c) Mahabharata
d) Rigveda
Answer: a) Arthashastra

4. What was the title given to Shivaji’s principal military commander?
a) Peshwa
b) Senapati
c) Mantri
d) Sachiv
Answer: b) Senapati

5. Which Maratha leader is known for his diplomacy and managing state affairs after the Third Battle of Panipat?
a) Mahadji Scindia
b) Baji Rao II
c) Nana Phadnavis
d) Chimaji Appa
Answer: c) Nana Phadnavis

6. Who among the following was NOT a member of the Ashta Pradhan?
a) Peshwa
b) Amatya
c) Subedar
d) Nyayadhish
Answer: c) Subedar

7. Which Maratha fort is known for its strategic importance and is located near Mahabaleshwar?
a) Raigad
b) Pratapgad
c) Shivneri
d) Sinhagad
Answer: b) Pratapgad

8. Who introduced the system of Chauth and Sardeshmukhi?
a) Baji Rao I
b) Shivaji
c) Sambhaji
d) Balaji Vishwanath
Answer: b) Shivaji

9. Under whom did the Maratha Empire face severe defeat in the Third Battle of Panipat?
a) Ahmad Shah Abdali
b) Aurangzeb
c) Siraj-ud-Daulah
d) Hyder Ali
Answer: a) Ahmad Shah Abdali

10. Which Maratha general was known for establishing dominance in North India after Panipat?
a) Raghoji Bhonsle
b) Mahadji Scindia
c) Balaji Rao
d) Bajirao II
Answer: b) Mahadji Scindia

10 Shivaji Maharaj Questions and Answers

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha empire, was a warrior known for his administrative brilliance. These are some of the most famous GK questions on the Maratha Empire and him.

1. Where was Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj born?
a) Pune
b) Raigad
c) Shivneri Fort
d) Torna Fort
Answer: c) Shivneri Fort

2. In which year was Shivaji Maharaj born?
a) 1627
b) 1630
c) 1640
d) 1650
Answer: b) 1630

3. Who was the mother of Shivaji Maharaj?
a) Rani Lakshmibai
b) Jijabai
c) Tarabai
d) Ahilyabai Holkar
Answer: b) Jijabai

4. Which fort was the first to be captured by Shivaji Maharaj?
a) Raigad
b) Pratapgad
c) Torna Fort
d) Sinhagad
Answer: c) Torna Fort

5. Who was the spiritual guru of Shivaji Maharaj?
a) Sant Tukaram
b) Sant Dnyaneshwar
c) Sant Ramdas
d) Sant Eknath
Answer: c) Sant Ramdas

6. What was the name of Shivaji Maharaj’s famous sword?
a) Zulfikar
b) Bhavani
c) Talwar
d) Khanda
Answer: b) Bhavani

7. Which title was conferred upon Shivaji Maharaj during his coronation?
a) Maharajadhiraj
b) Chhatrapati
c) Samrat
d) Raja
Answer: b) Chhatrapati

8. Who was the Bijapur general defeated by Shivaji Maharaj in a famous encounter?
a) Afzal Khan
b) Shaista Khan
c) Jai Singh
d) Aurangzeb
Answer: a) Afzal Khan

9. Which fort served as the capital of Shivaji Maharaj’s kingdom?
a) Rajgad
b) Raigad
c) Pratapgad
d) Sinhagad
Answer: b) Raigad

10. In which year did Shivaji Maharaj pass away?
a) 1674
b) 1677
c) 1680
d) 1685
Answer: c) 1680

10 GK Questions on the Maratha Empire Class 6

These are the most difficult questions on the Maratha empire asked to a class 6th student. If you are a student, you must read these GK questions on the Maratha Empire.

1. Who was the founder of the Maratha Empire?
a) Akbar
b) Shivaji Maharaj
c) Aurangzeb
d) Tipu Sultan
Answer: b) Shivaji Maharaj

2. What was the capital of the Maratha Empire under Shivaji?
a) Delhi
b) Raigad
c) Agra
d) Pune
Answer: b) Raigad 

3. Which title did Shivaji adopt during his coronation?
a) Maharaja
b) Chhatrapati
c) Sultan
d) Emperor
Answer: b) Chhatrapati 

4. Who was the spiritual guru of Shivaji Maharaj?
a) Sant Tukaram
b) Sant Eknath
c) Sant Ramdas
d) Sant Namdev
Answer: c) Sant Ramdas

5. Which fort was the first to be captured by Shivaji?
a) Torna Fort
b) Raigad Fort
c) Pratapgad Fort
d) Sinhagad Fort
Answer: a) Torna Fort 

6. What was the name of Shivaji’s mother?
a) Ahilyabai
b) Jijabai
c) Tarabai
d) Lakshmibai
Answer: b) Jijabai

7. Which tax system was introduced by the Marathas?
a) Jizya
b) Chauth and Sardeshmukhi
c) Lagaan
d) Zamindari
Answer: b) Chauth and Sardeshmukhi 

8. Who succeeded Shivaji after his death?
a) Shahu
b) Sambhaji
c) Rajaram
d) Balaji Vishwanath
Answer: b) Sambhaji 

9. Which battle marked a significant defeat for the Marathas in 1761?
a) Battle of Plassey
b) Battle of Buxar
c) Third Battle of Panipat
d) Battle of Haldighati
Answer: c) Third Battle of Panipat 

10. Who was the Peshwa during the peak of the Maratha Empire?
a) Baji Rao I
b) Balaji Vishwanath
c) Madhavrao I
d) Nana Phadnavis
Answer: a) Baji Rao I

MCQ on the Maratha Empire for UPSC

These are some MCQ questions on the Maratha Empire for the UPSC aspirants. Ten MCQ GK questions on the Maratha Empire are given below:

1. Who was the Peshwa under whom the Maratha Empire reached its greatest territorial extent by 1760?
a) Balaji Vishwanath
b) Baji Rao I
c) Balaji Baji Rao
d) Madhavrao I
Answer: c) Balaji Baji Rao

2. The Treaty of Purandar (1665) required Shivaji to surrender how many forts to the Mughals?
a) 11
b) 23
c) 35
d) 18
Answer: b) 23

3. Who led the Maratha forces in the Third Battle of Panipat?
a) Baji Rao I
b) Sadashivrao Bhau
c) Mahadji Scindia
d) Raghunath Rao
Answer: b) Sadashivrao Bhau

4. Which Maratha leader was known for his diplomatic skills and was called the ‘Chanakya of Maratha politics’?
a) Mahadji Scindia
b) Nana Phadnavis
c) Balaji Vishwanath
d) Baji Rao II
Answer: b) Nana Phadnavis 

5. The Maratha Empire came to an end after which Anglo-Maratha War.
a) First
b) Second
c) Third
d) Fourth
Answer: c) Third

6. Which fort was known as the ‘Lion’s Fort’ and played an important role in Shivaji Maharaj’s life?
a) Raigad
b) Pratapgad
c) Sinhagad
d) Shivneri
Answer: c) Sinhagad 

7. Who among the following was the first Peshwa of Shahu?
a) Balaji Vishwanath
b) Baji Rao I
c) Balaji Baji Rao
d) Madhavrao I
Answer: a) Balaji Vishwanath 

8. The term ‘Bargir’ in the Maratha army referred to:
a) Infantry soldiers
b) State-supplied cavalrymen
c) Artillery units
d) Naval officers
Answer: b) State-supplied cavalrymen 

9. Which Maratha leader annexed the islands of Bassein and Salsette from the Portuguese?
a) Baji Rao I
b) Balaji Vishwanath
c) Balaji Baji Rao
d) None of the above
Answer: a) Baji Rao I 

10. The Peshwa’s Secretariat at Pune was known as:
a) Chalte Dafter
b) El Beriz Daftar
c) Huzur Daftar
d) Peshwa Dafter
Answer: c) Huzur Daftar 

10 MCQ Questions on Shivaji Maharaj in English

These are the top ten MCQ questions on Shivaji Marahaj in the English language. These GK questions on the Maratha Empire can be asked to any student irrespective of which class they are enrolled in.

1. What was the name of Shivaji Maharaj’s father?
a) Sambhaji
b) Shahaji
c) Shahuji
d) Balaji
Answer: b) Shahaji

2. Shivaji Maharaj was coronated in which year?
a) 1670
b) 1674
c) 1676
d) 1680
Answer: b) 1674

3. Who wrote the biography “Shivabharat” in honour of Shivaji?
a) Samarth Ramdas
b) Babaji Bhosale
c) Krishnaji Anant Sabhasad
d) Paramananda
Answer: d) Paramananda

4. Which fort did Shivaji Maharaj build to guard the western coast?
a) Raigad Fort
b) Torna Fort
c) Pratapgad Fort
d) Sindhudurg Fort
Answer: d) Sindhudurg Fort

5. What was Shivaji’s policy of administration largely based on?
a) Mughal traditions
b) Portuguese systems
c) Ancient Hindu texts and practical governance
d) British reforms
Answer: c) Ancient Hindu texts and practical governance

6. Shivaji’s navy was mainly built to protect against which power?
a) The Mughals
b) The Dutch
c) The Portuguese
d) The Afghans
Answer: c) The Portuguese

7. Shivaji Maharaj escaped from Agra by:
a) Digging a tunnel
b) Disguising himself as a beggar
c) Hiding in fruit baskets
d) Bribing guards
Answer: c) Hiding in fruit baskets

8. Shivaji’s famous battle with Afzal Khan took place near which fort?
a) Sinhagad
b) Pratapgad
c) Rajgad
d) Raigad
Answer: b) Pratapgad

9. What was the Maratha war council known as?
a) Rajya Sabha
b) Ashtapradhan Mandal
c) Sena Parishad
d) Panchayat
Answer: b) Ashtapradhan Mandal

10. Which religious policy did Shivaji follow?
a) Forced conversion
b) Religious intolerance
c) Religious neutrality and tolerance
d) Atheism
Answer: c) Religious neutrality and tolerance

10 Anglo-Maratha War MCQ

These are the top ten multiple-choice questions on the Anglo-Maratha War. The Anglo-Maratha War was a series of conflicts that were held between the British East India Company and the Marathas. Get to know the top GK questions on the Maratha Empire.

1. How many Anglo-Maratha Wars were fought between the British and the Maratha rulers?
a) 2
b) 3
c) 4
d) 5
Answer: b) 3 

2. In which year was the Treaty of Salbai signed?
a) 1775
b) 1782
c) 1803
d) 1818
Answer: b) 1782 

3. Who was the Governor-General of India during the First Anglo-Maratha War?
a) Lord Wellesley
b) Lord Hastings
c) Warren Hastings
d) Lord Cornwallis
Answer: c) Warren Hastings 

4. The Treaty of Bassein (1802) was signed between the British and which Maratha leader?
a) Mahadji Scindia
b) Baji Rao II
c) Raghunath Rao
d) Jaswantrao Holkar
Answer: b) Baji Rao II 

5. Which treaty concluded the Second Anglo-Maratha War?
a) Treaty of Salbai
b) Treaty of Bassein
c) Treaty of Deogaon
d) Treaty of Mandeswar
Answer: c) Treaty of Deogaon 

6. The Third Anglo-Maratha War resulted in the defeat of the Maratha Empire in which year?
a) 1815
b) 1816
c) 1817
d) 1818
Answer: d) 1818 

7. Which treaty was signed between the British and the Holkar chief after the Third Anglo-Maratha War?
a) Treaty of Salbai
b) Treaty of Mandeswar
c) Treaty of Bassein
d) Treaty of Gwalior
Answer: b) Treaty of Mandeswar

8. Who was the Governor-General of India during the Third Anglo-Maratha War?
a) Lord Wellesley
b) Lord Hastings
c) Warren Hastings
d) Lord Cornwallis
Answer: b) Lord Hastings 

9. Which Maratha leader signed the Treaty of Gwalior with the British in 1817?
a) Baji Rao II
b) Mahadji Scindia
c) Daulat Rao Scindia
d) Jaswantrao Holkar
Answer: c) Daulat Rao Scindia

10. The Treaty of Deogaon was signed between the British and which Maratha chief?
a) Baji Rao II
b) Raghunath Rao
c) Raghoji Bhonsle
d) Daulat Rao Scindia
Answer: c) Raghoji Bhonsle

FAQs

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