CBSE Class 8 Social Science The Rise of the Marathas (Class 8 NCERT New) Quiz 23

1. Assess the long-term impact of the Maratha Empire on Indian political history. Which of the following arguments is most well-supported by evidence?

A The Marathas had no lasting impact because they were quickly replaced by the British B The Marathas demonstrated that regional powers could challenge and weaken centralized Mughal authority, contributing to the political fragmentation that shaped modern India C The Marathas unified all of India under a single Hindu kingdom that lasted until independence D The Maratha Empire's only contribution was military, with no influence on governance or culture

2. Why was the capture of Raigad Fort strategically important for Shivaji Maharaj in establishing the Maratha Empire?

A Raigad was located near the Mughal capital, making it easy to launch attacks on Delhi B Raigad served as the capital of the Maratha kingdom, providing a secure administrative and military base in a difficult-to-attack location C Raigad was the wealthiest trading port in India, providing unlimited financial resources D Raigad was gifted to Shivaji by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb as a peace offering

3. The Warkari movement had a significant influence on Maratha culture and society. How did this movement contribute to the strength of the Maratha identity?

A It promoted the use of Persian language and Mughal customs among Marathas B It encouraged devotion through Marathi-language poetry and bhajans, fostering a shared cultural and spiritual identity among common people C It was a military movement that trained Maratha soldiers in combat techniques D It focused exclusively on upper-caste Brahmin communities and excluded lower castes

4. Which of the following correctly identifies the role of Tanaji Malusare in Maratha history?

A He was the chief architect who designed Maratha forts B He was a trusted military commander of Shivaji who led the famous capture of Kondhana Fort C He was the first Peshwa of the Maratha Empire D He was a diplomat who negotiated peace treaties with the Mughals

5. How did the Maratha system of "Chauth" and "Sardeshmukhi" function as tools of both revenue collection and political influence?

A They were religious taxes collected only from temples and monasteries B Chauth was one-fourth of revenue demanded from territories as protection money, while Sardeshmukhi was an additional ten percent, together extending Maratha political reach without direct conquest C They were trade tariffs imposed only on foreign merchants entering Maratha ports D They were land grants given to Maratha soldiers as rewards for military service

6. Which of the following best explains why Aurangzeb's prolonged Deccan campaign ultimately weakened the Mughal Empire rather than destroying the Marathas?

A Aurangzeb lacked military experience and made poor strategic decisions throughout the campaign B The Marathas used guerrilla tactics to drain Mughal resources over decades, while Aurangzeb's prolonged absence from northern India caused administrative and financial collapse of the Mughal Empire C The British East India Company secretly supported the Marathas against the Mughals during this period D Aurangzeb voluntarily withdrew from the Deccan after signing a peace treaty with the Marathas

7. The Maratha Empire at its peak extended across a large portion of the Indian subcontinent. Which of the following regions was NOT typically under Maratha influence at the height of their power?

A Maharashtra and the Deccan Plateau B Parts of Rajputana and Malwa C Bengal and the northeastern regions D Parts of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh

8. Critically evaluate the statement: "The Maratha Empire's greatest strength was also its greatest weakness." Using evidence from Maratha history, which of the following best supports this argument?

A The Marathas' strength in agriculture made them dependent on monsoons, which caused frequent famines that weakened the empire B The decentralized confederacy system that allowed regional chiefs to build strong local power also created divisions and rivalries that prevented unified responses to threats like the Afghan invasion and British expansion C The Marathas' naval strength was their greatest asset but also led to overconfidence in sea battles, resulting in major defeats D The Maratha reliance on Peshwa leadership was effective during peace but completely collapsed during wartime, making them vulnerable