Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Holkars of Indore and the Bhonsles of Nagpur:
1.The Holkar dynasty was founded by Malhar Rao Holkar, who was granted the revenue rights of Indore by Peshwa Baji Rao I.
2.The Bhonsles of Nagpur were the only prominent Maratha House in the Confederacy whose founders were not part of Shivaji’s Swarajya (core state).
3.The Bhonsles were the first Maratha power to successfully collect Chauth and Sardeshmukhi from the Mughal provinces of Bengal and Orissa.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Answer: C
Notes:
Explanation:
- Statement 1: Correct. Malhar Rao Holkar rose from humble origins to become one of the most trusted military commanders of Baji Rao I, laying the foundation for the Holkar dynasty at Indore.
- Statement 2: Incorrect. The Bhonsles of Nagpur trace their lineage back to the same family tree as Shivaji’s father, Shahji Bhonsle, but they were not part of the core Swarajya established by Shivaji. This statement is subtly flawed because, while they were not part of the Peshwa-controlled Confederacy, their origin is definitely tied to the broader Maratha lineage. However, the correct answer selection often hinges on statement 3. Let’s re-evaluate based on the most distinct aspect: the Gaekwad family was also not from the core Swarajya. The Bhonsles, under Raghuji Bhonsle, operated largely independently of the Peshwa’s central command structure and often directly rivaled the Peshwa.
- Statement 3: Correct. Raghuji Bhonsle of Nagpur was primarily responsible for extending Maratha influence and collecting tribute (Chauth) from the eastern provinces of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa.
