1. Following the death of Aurangzeb (1707), the Mughal empire declines. In the absence of an assertive central power, Âregional Âpowers like the Marathas, Sikhs and ÂRohilla Pathans expand. The Marathas prevail, gaining control of Delhi (the emperor being a nominal one).
2. Afghan raider Ahmed Shah Abdali attacks India. Acting on behalf of the Mughal emperor, the Maratha army, led by ÂSadashivrao Bhau, meets the Afghans and is defeated in the Third Battle of Panipat (1761): the first big dent on what was till now an expanding Maratha power. A vacuum awaits the British.
3. A new power was rising in the east. The British defeat Bengal바카라™s Nawab Siraj-ud- Daula at Plassey (1757), and a combined force of the Mughals, Oudh, and ÂBengal at Buxar (1764). Thus they gain diwani rights over Bihar, Bengal and Orissa. Soon they turn their gaze towards Delhi. At the Battle of Delhi (1803), General Lake (left) defeats the Marathas and pushes them southward.
4. Meanwhile, Arthur ÂWellesley (right, the future Duke of ÂWellington), having only recently eliminated the threat from Tipu, Âpushes the Marathas from the south. He Âdefeats them at ÂAssaye, Ahmednagar and in many other skirmishes. The ÂSecond Anglo-ÂMaratha War (1803-1805) Âconcludes with a number of treaties that cripple Maratha power.
5. The Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817-1818). Peshwa Baji Rao II attacks Poona residency. The British strike back. As the ÂPeshwa flees, a small 바카라˜British바카라™ force, which has Marathas, Muslims, Mahars, Jews, follows him. He makes a stand at Koregaon on the Bheema river, but is defeated. Peshwai is abolished.
Photographs by Alamy
