Medieval History : Rise And Expansion Of The Marathas (17th-18th Century)
The following item consists of two statements: one labelled as the Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R). You are to examine these two statements carefully and select the answers to these items using the codes given below:
Assertion (A): Marathas emerged as the strongest native power in India after the decline of Mughal empire.
Reason (R): Marathas were the first to have a clear concept of a united Indian nation.
A is true but R is false
Assertion (A) states that Marathas emerged as the strongest native power in India after the decline of the Mughal empire. This statement is true. Following the weakening of the Mughal Empire in the early 18th century, the Marathas, under the leadership of the Peshwas and various Maratha confederate chiefs (like the Scindias, Holkars, Gaekwads, and Bhonsles), expanded their influence and territorial control significantly. They established dominance over vast regions including Malwa, Gujarat, Bundelkhand, and parts of Punjab, and even exerted considerable control over the Mughal emperor in Delhi, effectively becoming the paramount indigenous power.
Reason (R) states that Marathas were the first to have a clear concept of a united Indian nation. This statement is false. The Maratha polity was essentially a confederacy of powerful regional chiefs, often vying for individual influence and resources, rather than a unified nation-state. Their primary objectives were territorial expansion, establishing Maratha supremacy, and collecting revenue (such as Chauth and Sardeshmukhi) from conquered territories. The modern notion of a 'united Indian nation' as a political entity emerged much later, primarily during the 19th-century nationalist awakening, and was not a guiding principle for the Maratha Empire.
Options (1) and (2) are incorrect because Reason (R) is false. A false reason cannot be a correct or incorrect explanation for an assertion.
Option (4) is incorrect because Assertion (A) is true, not false.