Maharashtra Board Textbook Solutions for Standard VII

Chapter 12 – Progression of the Empire

1. Answer in One Word

  1. She took charge of the Indore administration – Ahilyabai Holkar
  2. The most capable and brave man in the Bhosale family of Nagpur – Raghuji Bhosale
  3. He reinstated the Emperor on the throne of Delhi – Mahadji Shinde
  4. He managed the politics in the South – Nana Phadanavis

2. Arrange Chronologically

  1. The battle of Ashti.
  2. Maratha dominance over Odisha.
  3. The British flew the Union Jack in Pune.

Correct Order:

  1. Maratha dominance over Odisha
  2. The British flew the Union Jack in Pune
  3. The Battle of Ashti

3. Write Briefly

(1) The Work Done by Ahilyabai Holkar

  1. Punyashloka Ahilyabai Holkar was the wife of Khanderao, the son of Malharrao Holkar.
  2. After the death of Khanderao, she took charge of the administration of Indore.
  3. She proved to be a capable and efficient ruler.
  4. She introduced reforms in agricultural cess and revenue collection and brought order to state administration.
  5. She encouraged agriculture by digging wells, building lakes and tanks, and promoting trade and industry.
  6. She constructed temples, ghats, maths, dharmashalas, and drinking water facilities at important pilgrimage centres across India.
  7. She personally supervised judicial matters and delivered justice fairly.
  8. She ruled successfully for twenty-eight years and enhanced the prestige of the Marathas in North India.

(2) The Valour Shown by Mahadji Shinde

  1. Mahadji Shinde was a brave general and skilled statesman.
  2. He restored Maratha supremacy in North India after the defeat at Panipat.
  3. He realised that traditional guerrilla warfare would not work in the northern plains.
  4. Under the guidance of the French military expert de Boigne, he modernised his army and artillery.
  5. With his trained army, he defeated the Rohillas, Jats, Rajputs, and Bundellas.
  6. He also defeated the British and reinstated the Mughal Emperor on the throne of Delhi.
  7. From 1784 CE to 1794 CE, he efficiently managed the affairs of Delhi with strong determination.

(3) The Maratha Rule in Gujarat

  1. Khanderao Dabhade and his son Trimbakrao laid the foundation of Maratha power in Gujarat.
  2. After Khanderao’s death, his wife Umabai defeated the Mughal Sardar of Ahmedabad.
  3. She captured the fort of Ahmedabad.
  4. Later, the Gaikwads established Vadodara as their centre of power in Gujarat.

4. Reasons Behind the End of Maratha Rule

  1. After the deaths of Mahadji Shinde and Nana Phadanavis, Maratha power began to decline.
  2. Bajirao II, the son of Raghunathrao, became the Peshwa.
  3. He failed to unite the Maratha sardars, and internal conflicts weakened the empire.
  4. During his reign, Maratha influence in both North and South India declined.
  5. The British gradually replaced the Marathas as the dominant power in India.

As a result, the Maratha rule eventually came to an end.

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