The Second Anglo - Maratha War

Background 

The Second Anglo-Maratha war started in circumstances similar to these of the first. After Peshwa Madhavrao Narayan committed suicide in 1795, Bajirao II, the worthless son son of Raghunathrao, became the Peshwa. Nana Phadnavis, a bitter foe of Bajirao II, became the chief minister . The dissensions among the Marathas provided  the English with an opportunity to intervene in Maratha affaira. The death of Nana Phadnavis in 1800 gave the British and added advantages. 

Course of War 

On April 1, 18101, the Peshwa brutally murdered the brother of Jaswantrao Holkar, Vithuji. a furious Jaswant arrayed his forces against the combined armies of Scindia and Bajirao II. The turmoil continued, and on October 25, 1802, Jaswant defeated the armies of the Peshwa and Scindia decisively at Hadapsar near Poona and placed Vinayakrao, son of Amritrao, on the Peshwa's seat. A terrified Bajorao II fled to Bassein where, on December 31, 1802, he signed a treaty with the English. Treaty of Bassein (1802) Under the treaty, the Peshwa agreed: 

1. To receive from the Company a native infantry, with the usual proportion of field artillery and European artillery men attached, to be permanently stationed in his territories; 

2. To cede to the Company territories yielding an income of Rs 26 lakh; 

3. To surrender the city of Surat; 

4. To give up all claims for chauth on the Nizam's dominions; 

5. To accept the Company's arbitration in all differences between him and the Nizam or the Gaekwad; 

6. Not to keep in his employment Europeans to any nation a war with the English; and 

7. To subject his elations with other states to the control of he English.

Reduced to Vassalage 

After the Peshwa accepted the  subsidiary alliance, Scindia and Bhonsle attempted to save Maratha independence. But the well-prepared and organized army of the English under Arthur Wellesley defeated the combined armies of Scindia and Bhonsle and forced them to conclude separate subsidiary treaties with the English. 

In 1804, Yashwantrao Holkar made an attempt to from a coalition of Indian ruler to fight against the English. But his attempt provide unsuccessful. The Marathas were defeated, reduced to British vassalage and isolated from one another. 

Significance of the Treaty of Bassein 

Admittedly, the treaty was signed by a Peshwa who lacked political authority, but the gains made by the English were immense. The provision of keeping English troops permanently in Maratha territory was of great strategical benefit. The Company already had troops in Mysore, Hyderabad and Lucknow. The addition of Poona on the list meant that the Company's troops were now more evenly spread and could be rushed to any place without much delay in times of need. Though the Treaty of Bassein did not hand over India to the Company on a platter, it was a major development in that direction; the Company was now well placed to expand its areas of influence. In the circumstances, the observation that the treaty "gave the English the key to India", may be exaggerated, but appears understandable.