History · Medieval

Marathas: 21 previous year questions

UPSC has asked 21 questions on Marathas between 1985 and 2025: CSE 12 · CDS 6 · CAPF 2 · Geo-Scientist 1. 7 of them came after 2015, so this is a live topic examiners keep returning to. 12 were set in Civil Services Prelims; the rest come from UPSC's other papers, which draw on the same question bank.

Practise these 21, one at a time Read the questions

Tap an option to check yourself. Answers follow the official UPSC key; where the key was dropped or disputed the question is not shown.

Geo-Scientist2025Marathas On card AMH 12·7

Among the Ashtapradhans of Shivaji, who among the following did not hold any military commands besides civil duties? 1. Peshwa 2. Amatya 3. Sumanta 4. Pandit Rao Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Ashtapradhans with no military command → Amatya and Sumanta

CAPF2024Marathas On card AMH 12·7

Which naval forts were erected by Shivaji ? 1. Suvamadurg 2. Vijayadurg 3. Sindhudurg 4. Kolaba Select the answer using the code given below :

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Naval forts of Shivaji → Suvarnadurg, Vijayadurg, Sindhudurg and Kolaba

CDS2024 · 2Marathas On card AMH 12·7

Consider the following statements about the administrative measures of Shivaji: 1. The scheme of Ashta Pradhan (eight ministers) was completed and announced at the time of Shivaji‘s coronation with regulations and duties properly defined. 2. Shivaji introduced Marathi in place of Persian and coined Sanskrit technical terms for administrative purposes. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Shivaji → Ashta Pradhan formally instituted at his coronation (1674); Marathi in place of Persian with Sanskrit administrative terms

CDS2023 · 2Marathas On card AMH 12·7

Arrange the following events associated with Shivaji in chronological order : 1. Attack on Afzal Khan 2. Capture of Toma 3. Attack on Shaista Khan 4. Annexation of Javli Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Shivaji events in order → Capture of Torna (1646) → Annexation of Javli (1656) → Attack on Afzal Khan (1659) → Attack on Shaista Khan (1663)

CDS2023 · 2Marathas On card AMH 12·7

Which of the following statements is/are correct ? 1. Shivaji sent an ambassador to Bombay to negotiate an agreement with the English. 2. His chief motive was to secure English aid against the Siddis of Danda-Rajpuri. 3. He wanted a supply of grenades, mortars and other ammunition. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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Answer D (official UPSC key)Shivaji → sent an ambassador to Bombay to negotiate with the English; sought English aid against the Siddis of Danda-Rajpuri; wanted grenades, mortars and ammunition

CDS2023 · 2Marathas On card AMH 12·7

Arrange the following events associated with Shivaji in chronological order 1. Attack on Afzal Khan 2. Capture of Torna 3. Attack on Shaista Khan 4. Annexation of Javli Select the correct answer using the code given below

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Shivaji events in order → Capture of Torna (1646) → Annexation of Javli → Attack on Afzal Khan → Attack on Shaista Khan

CDS2015 · 2Marathas On card AMH 12·7

After the death of Shivaji, there was a fight for succession between

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Succession fight after Shivaji → Rajaram and Shambhaji

CDS2012 · 2Marathas On card AMH 12·7

Consider the following statements about Shivaji‟s military acumen 1. He was a master in guerrilla tactics and swift cavalry warfare. 2. He had built a series of fortified strongholds on the table mountains of the Western Deccan. Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Shivaji → master of guerrilla tactics and swift cavalry warfare; fortified strongholds on the table mountains of the Western Deccan

CAPF2011Marathas On card AMH 12·7

Who among the following ministers, in the eight-member council (Ashtapradhan) of Shivaji, held the charge of finance ?

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Ashtapradhan finance minister → Amatya

CSE2010Marathas On card AMH 12·7

What was the immediate reason for Ahmad Shah Abdali to invade India and fight the third battle of Panipat ? [2010]

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Immediate reason for Abdali's invasion (Third Panipat) → to avenge the Marathas' expulsion of his viceroy Timur Shah from Lahore

CSE2004Marathas On card AMH 12·7

Consider the following statements: 1. In the Third Battle of Panipat, Ahmed Shah Abdali defeated Ibrahim Lodi. 2. Tipu Sultan was killed in the Third Anglo-Mysore War. 3. Mir Jafar entered into a conspiracy with the English for the defeat of Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah in the Battle of Plassey. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Mir Jafar → conspired with the English against Siraj-ud-Daulah at Plassey | Ibrahim Lodi → defeated at the First Battle of Panipat by Babur, not the Third

CSE2000Marathas On card AMH 12·7