CBSE Class 8 Social Science The Rise of the Marathas (Class 8 NCERT New) Quiz 22

1. Which Maratha leader is credited with expanding the empire significantly through the Peshwa system of governance?

A Sambhaji Maharaj B Rajaram Maharaj C Baji Rao I D Shahu Maharaj

2. The Maratha military strategy of "guerrilla warfare" was particularly effective against the Mughals because it:

A Relied on large open-field battles where numbers mattered most B Used the hilly terrain of the Deccan to launch swift surprise attacks and retreat quickly C Depended entirely on naval superiority to cut off Mughal supply lines D Focused on diplomatic negotiations rather than direct combat

3. Which of the following statements correctly describes the role of the Peshwa in the Maratha Empire?

A The Peshwa was the chief military commander with no administrative powers B The Peshwa was a religious advisor to the Chhatrapati C The Peshwa was the Prime Minister who gradually became the de facto ruler of the Maratha Empire D The Peshwa was responsible only for collecting taxes from conquered territories

4. The Battle of Panipat in 1761 had a significant impact on the Maratha Empire. What was the outcome of this battle?

A The Marathas defeated the Mughals and expanded their territory northward B The Marathas suffered a decisive defeat against Ahmad Shah Durrani's Afghan forces C The Marathas signed a peace treaty with the British East India Company D The Marathas successfully defended Delhi from Rajput forces

5. Shivaji Maharaj's navy was primarily built to serve which strategic purpose?

A To transport troops across rivers during land campaigns B To control trade routes and protect the Konkan coastline from European and rival powers C To launch attacks on Sri Lanka and Southeast Asian kingdoms D To support Mughal naval operations in the Arabian Sea

6. Which of the following cultural contributions is most closely associated with the Maratha period?

A Construction of the Taj Mahal B Promotion of Urdu literature and Mughal miniature paintings C Patronage of Marathi literature, Warkari saints, and temple construction D Introduction of Persian architecture across South India

7. The Maratha revenue system introduced by Shivaji was designed to ensure fairness. Which of the following best describes a key feature of this system?

A Taxes were collected only from non-Hindu communities B Revenue was assessed based on the actual productivity of land, reducing exploitation by middlemen C All revenue was sent directly to the Mughal treasury as tribute D Farmers were taxed based on the number of family members they had

8. Analyze why the Maratha Confederacy, despite being a powerful force, struggled to maintain unity after the Third Battle of Panipat. Which of the following best explains this challenge?

A The Marathas lost all their territories immediately after the battle and had no resources to rebuild B Internal rivalries among Maratha chiefs such as the Holkars, Scindias, and Bhonsles weakened collective decision-making and military coordination C The British immediately conquered all Maratha territories following the battle D The Peshwa system was abolished by Mughal rulers, leaving the Marathas without leadership

9. Evaluate the significance of Shivaji's policy of religious tolerance in the context of building a strong Maratha state. Which reasoning best supports this policy as a strategic decision?

A It was purely a personal belief with no political implications for the empire B By respecting all religions, Shivaji gained the loyalty of diverse communities, strengthened his administrative base, and reduced internal conflicts C Religious tolerance was forced upon Shivaji by Mughal rulers as a condition of peace D The policy was only applied to Hindu communities and excluded Muslims and Christians

10. Compare the guerrilla warfare tactics of the Marathas with conventional Mughal military strategies. Which conclusion can be drawn about why Maratha tactics were effective?

A Mughal armies were poorly trained and lacked weapons, making any strategy effective against them B Maratha guerrilla tactics exploited the Deccan's difficult terrain, neutralizing the Mughal advantage of larger armies and heavy artillery C The Marathas had superior weapons technology that made guerrilla tactics unnecessary D Mughal armies refused to fight in the Deccan region, giving Marathas an automatic advantage