Download CBSE MCQs for Class 8 Social Science: Chapter 03 The Rise Of The Marathas
Review structured MCQ sets for Class 8 Social Science Chapter 03 The Rise Of The Marathas. Built according to official CBSE guidelines, these downloadable questions support daily revision and core concept reinforcement.
Chapter-wise Objective Questions: Chapter 03 The Rise Of The Marathas
View or download the dedicated Chapter 03 The Rise Of The Marathas MCQ resource below. Practicing these 50 objective questions regularly builds familiarity with standard exam patterns and helps secure higher marks in final Social Science evaluations.
A. Chalukya dynasty
B. Yadava dynasty
C. Bahmani Sultanate
D. Deccan Sultanate
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) Yadava dynasty
Explanation:
The chapter clearly states that during the 13th century, the Yadava dynasty ruled most of Maharashtra with Devagiri (present-day Daulatabad) as its capital. In the early 14th century, this dynasty was overcome by the Khilji Sultanate from Delhi.
A. They established military training centers for warriors
B. They composed devotional songs and poetry in local languages to spread spiritual messages widely
C. They built fortifications to protect against foreign invasions
D. They served as administrators in the Deccan sultanates
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) They composed devotional songs and poetry in local languages to spread spiritual messages widely
Explanation:
Saints and seekers from diverse sections of society composed devotional songs and poetry in the languages of the masses, allowing their messages to travel far and wide. This cultural work, combined with their promotion of Sanskrit texts like the Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita in Marathi, provided a solid cultural foundation that later helped the Marathas organize themselves into a political power.
A. He immediately declared war on the Mughal Empire
B. He consolidated his hold over the Pune region by capturing neglected and unoccupied forts and strengthening their defences
C. He allied with the Bijapur Sultanate against other regional powers
D. He focused entirely on building a naval force before expanding on land
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) He consolidated his hold over the Pune region by capturing neglected and unoccupied forts and strengthening their defences
Explanation:
The chapter states that when Chhatrapati Shivaji was just 16, he launched military campaigns, first consolidating his hold over the Pune region by capturing neglected and unoccupied forts and strengthening their defences. This careful, incremental approach laid the groundwork for his later vision of Swarājya.
A. He built merchant ships for trade purposes only
B. He established a full-time naval force dedicated to coastal protection, unlike the Bijapur Sultanate and Mughal Empire which had very limited naval presence
C. He hired only foreign naval experts to command his ships
D. He refused to fight any naval battles to preserve his fleet
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) He established a full-time naval force dedicated to coastal protection, unlike the Bijapur Sultanate and Mughal Empire which had very limited naval presence
Explanation:
• The chapter notes the Bijapur Sultanate maintained merchant ships but lacked a full-time naval force
• The Mughal Empire's use of navy was very limited
• Chhatrapati Shivaji created a permanent, dedicated naval force to protect his expanding coastal territories — a truly revolutionary step at the time.
A. He bribed the guards with money from his treasury
B. He hid himself and his son in baskets containing fruits and sweets that guards eventually stopped checking thoroughly
C. He fought his way out with his soldiers in a dramatic armed escape
D. He negotiated his release by agreeing to become a Mughal vassal
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) He hid himself and his son in baskets containing fruits and sweets that guards eventually stopped checking thoroughly
Explanation:
Chhatrapati Shivaji devised a clever strategy — he started distributing gifts of fruits and sweets packed in big baskets to holy men and Mughal generals. The guards initially checked the baskets but soon stopped doing so. Expecting this, Chhatrapati Shivaji and his son Sambhaji hid themselves inside the baskets and escaped. After this, Aurangzeb could never capture him again.
A. It was merely a decorative choice with no political meaning
B. It marked a deliberate assertion of cultural identity and his vision of Swarājya, representing a departure from the Persian influence of contemporary rulers
C. It was required by the Hindu priests who crowned him
D. It made his official documents incomprehensible to his enemies
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) It marked a deliberate assertion of cultural identity and his vision of Swarājya, representing a departure from the Persian influence of contemporary rulers
Explanation:
The chapter explains that Chhatrapati Shivaji's seal carried a Sanskrit inscription — a notable departure from the prevalent Persian seals used by other rulers. This choice reflected his cultural vision and his assertion of Hindu cultural identity as central to his conception of sovereignty and governance.
A. The Ādnyāpatra council
B. The Rājya-Vyavahāra-Koṣha treatise
C. The aṣhṭa pradhāna manḍala
D. The panchāyat system
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) The Rājya-Vyavahāra-Koṣha treatise
Explanation:
Chhatrapati Shivaji commissioned the Rājya-Vyavahāra-Koṣha with the aim of promoting the Marathi language. It provided Sanskrit equivalents for prevalent Persian words used in diplomatic exchanges, resulting in a considerable decrease in foreign loanwords in Maratha diplomacy.
A. The state became even more centralized under a single strong ruler
B. The centralized state from Chhatrapati Shivaji's time gave way to a more decentralized structure with regional chiefs wielding more power, though still nominally centered around the Chhatrapati
C. The Peshwa gained complete control, eliminating the position of Chhatrapati
D. The administration was taken over entirely by Portuguese traders
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) The centralized state from Chhatrapati Shivaji's time gave way to a more decentralized structure with regional chiefs wielding more power, though still nominally centered around the Chhatrapati
Explanation:
During rapid expansion, the Marathas underwent a structural transformation. The centralized state from Chhatrapati Shivaji's time gave way to a more decentralized structure, still nominally centered around the Chhatrapati but with chiefs wielding more power. The Peshwa (prime minister) wielded great influence, even over the Chhatrapati himself.
A. He preferred direct frontal assaults over other military tactics
B. He was willing to use deception and personal combat to eliminate threats, combining this with knowledge of terrain and hidden forces for strategic advantage
C. He avoided any form of personal combat because it was too risky
D. He relied entirely on his naval forces rather than land-based strategies
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) He was willing to use deception and personal combat to eliminate threats, combining this with knowledge of terrain and hidden forces for strategic advantage
Explanation:
Chhatrapati Shivaji convinced the Bijapur Sultanate's veteran general Afzal Khan to meet him in a one-on-one encounter at the foot of Pratapgad fort amid thick forests. He killed Afzal Khan in close combat, and the Marathas, hidden in the mountains, routed the Khan's army with guerrilla attacks. This demonstrates his integration of personal courage, tactical deception, and knowledge of terrain.
A. Only land revenue taxes and customs duties
B. Chauth (25 per cent) and sardeshmukhi (an additional 10 per cent) from provinces in return for protection and non-interference in internal administration
C. Annual tributes paid exclusively to the Peshwa
D. Taxes levied only on maritime trade and ports
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) Chauth (25 per cent) and sardeshmukhi (an additional 10 per cent) from provinces in return for protection and non-interference in internal administration
Explanation:
The Marathas levied taxes called chauth (25 per cent) and sardeshmukhi (an additional 10 per cent to chauth) from provinces not directly under them. In return, the Marathas protected those provinces and did not intervene in their internal administration. The Mughals also approved of this arrangement through various treaties, and over time, some of these provinces became part of the Maratha Empire.
A. She abandoned Maratha traditions and adopted Mughal administrative practices
B. She focused on cultural and infrastructure development by building and restoring temples, ghats, wells, and roads throughout India, while also promoting traditional handloom crafts
C. She ruled only briefly before surrendering to the British
D. She was entirely subordinate to the Peshwa and had no independent authority
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) She focused on cultural and infrastructure development by building and restoring temples, ghats, wells, and roads throughout India, while also promoting traditional handloom crafts
Explanation:
Even after losing her husband and son, Ahilyabai Holkar governed her state wisely for thirty years while caring for common people. She built and restored hundreds of temples, ghats, wells, and roads from Kedarnath to Rameswaram. She also promoted the Maheshwar weaving industry, revitalizing traditional handloom crafts. Her legacy demonstrates that Maratha influence extended beyond military conquest to cultural and social development.
A. They wanted to increase their own trading profits above all else
B. They resisted European naval supremacy and rejected the practice of forced Indian purchases of Portuguese trade passes, reversing the power dynamic by demanding passes from the Europeans
C. They were secretly working with the British against the Portuguese
D. They had no actual naval strength and were simply making empty threats
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) They resisted European naval supremacy and rejected the practice of forced Indian purchases of Portuguese trade passes, reversing the power dynamic by demanding passes from the Europeans
Explanation:
Europeans forced Indians to purchase naval trade passes (cartaz in Portuguese); any ship without a pass was confiscated. The Marathas challenged this practice and started demanding passes from the Europeans themselves. The Europeans' frustration at this reversal led them to label Kanhoji Angre a 'pirate,' revealing the Marathas' effective resistance to European naval dominance.
A. He wanted to maximize timber production for his navy at any cost
B. He believed rulers could exploit natural resources without limits for state benefit
C. He recognized that sustainable governance requires consideration for long-term welfare of subjects, not just immediate state needs, and respect for resources that people depend upon
D. He was indifferent to environmental concerns and focused only on military strength
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (C) He recognized that sustainable governance requires consideration for long-term welfare of subjects, not just immediate state needs, and respect for resources that people depend upon
Explanation:
In his instructions to officials, Chhatrapati Shivaji stated that while teak could be cut with permission for the Navy, fruit-bearing trees like mango and jackfruit should not be touched because they took many years to mature and people looked after them like children. His reasoning — 'If you accomplish something by oppressing others, it perishes soon, along with the oppressor' — reveals his understanding that sustainable governance requires respecting both the environment and the welfare of his subjects.
A. It was only a military council with no civilian functions
B. It was composed of eight ministers appointed on merit, with officials periodically transferred to prevent accumulation of power, and salaries paid from state treasury rather than through hereditary land grants
C. It granted permanent hereditary positions to noble families
D. It was entirely controlled by the Peshwa without any input from the sovereign
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) It was composed of eight ministers appointed on merit, with officials periodically transferred to prevent accumulation of power, and salaries paid from state treasury rather than through hereditary land grants
Explanation:
Chhatrapati Shivaji abolished hereditary posts and land assignments, instead paying salaries from the state treasury. He created a council of eight ministers (aṣhṭa pradhāna manḍala) and periodically transferred officials to ensure they would not have enough power to dictate terms to the king. This represented a deliberate break from the hereditary systems practiced under the Sultans and Mughals.
A. He refused to plunder the city because he was afraid of military retaliation
B. He attacked religious places to demonstrate his power over all communities
C. Despite obtaining enormous treasure worth almost one crore of rupees, he was careful not to attack religious places and even spared the house of Mohandas Parekh, a charitable man, showing concern for his subjects' welfare
D. He abandoned the mission entirely and did not actually sack the city
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (C) Despite obtaining enormous treasure worth almost one crore of rupees, he was careful not to attack religious places and even spared the house of Mohandas Parekh, a charitable man, showing concern for his subjects' welfare
Explanation:
Though Chhatrapati Shivaji obtained enormous treasure from Surat, the chapter emphasizes that he was careful not to attack religious places and even spared the charitable man Mohandas Parekh's house. This restraint, combined with his bold demands for money from Europeans, demonstrates that his actions were strategically calculated to serve state interests while respecting the principles of his governance.
A. She inherited the throne but delegated all power to the Peshwa
B. She recognized that with Aurangzeb occupying the Deccan, north India was unprotected, so she organized large armies and invaded Mughal territories, becoming the architect of northward expansion
C. She negotiated peace treaties with the Mughals to end all conflict
D. She focused exclusively on cultural development and ignored military matters
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) She recognized that with Aurangzeb occupying the Deccan, north India was unprotected, so she organized large armies and invaded Mughal territories, becoming the architect of northward expansion
Explanation:
After her husband Rajaram's death, Tarabai realized that with Aurangzeb and the Mughal army in the Deccan, north India was unprotected. She organized large Maratha armies and sent them to invade Mughal territories in the north. Her military strategy and tenacity preserved Maratha independence during a critical period and essentially launched their pan-Indian expansion.
A. It rejected all foreign influences and enforced a purely Hindu culture
B. The local Tamil culture, former Telugu culture of previous rulers, and current Marathi culture interacted freely, reflecting an openness to cultural diversity while maintaining Maratha authority, similar to Chhatrapati Shivaji's own respect for diverse traditions
C. It was imposed by force, eliminating local Tamil and Telugu traditions entirely
D. It focused exclusively on promoting Persian culture over local traditions
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) The local Tamil culture, former Telugu culture of previous rulers, and current Marathi culture interacted freely, reflecting an openness to cultural diversity while maintaining Maratha authority, similar to Chhatrapati Shivaji's own respect for diverse traditions
Explanation:
The chapter notes that Thanjavur's cultural environment was multilingual, with Tamil, Telugu, and Marathi cultures interacting freely. This reflects Chhatrapati Shivaji's own approach as a devout Hindu who respected other religions while upholding his own. Serfoji II further developed this syncretic culture through patronage of arts, music, and drama, demonstrating how Maratha rule could accommodate and elevate diverse cultural traditions.
A. It gave them access to the richest port cities but isolated them from northern territories
B. It expanded their resource base but weakened their northern defences
C. It provided great strategic depth against Mughal invasion by extending their territory into present-day Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, offering retreat routes and additional resources
D. It was militarily unsuccessful and actually weakened their overall position
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (C) It provided great strategic depth against Mughal invasion by extending their territory into present-day Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, offering retreat routes and additional resources
Explanation:
The chapter states that Chhatrapati Shivaji's conquest of the South, including important regions of present-day northern Tamil Nadu and parts of Karnataka, 'later gave the Marathas great strategic depth against the Mughal invasion.' This territorial extension provided crucial advantages in their prolonged resistance against Aurangzeb.
A. The Marathas never had any significant military strength
B. The Marathas were the dominant power by the late 18th century with control of large parts of central and northern India, making them the primary obstacle to British expansion; their internal disunity and the British' superior organizational and technological abilities led to their defeat after three Anglo-Maratha wars
C. The Mughals were already in complete control when the British arrived
D. The Marathas voluntarily surrendered to avoid military conflict
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) The Marathas were the dominant power by the late 18th century with control of large parts of central and northern India, making them the primary obstacle to British expansion; their internal disunity and the British' superior organizational and technological abilities led to their defeat after three Anglo-Maratha wars
Explanation:
• The Marathas had established the largest Indian empire before British takeover by controlling much of central and northern India
• By the latter half of the 18th century, they were the chief rivals of the British in India
• Three Anglo-Maratha wars (1775-1818) ended with British victory due to increased Maratha internal disunity and British superior organizational and technological abilities
• Therefore, the British took India effectively from the Marathas more than from the Mughals or any other power.
A. The Marathas' main contribution was building impressive forts that remain as tourist attractions
B. Through their successful resistance against powerful empires and demonstration that Indian states could govern themselves, the Marathas inspired cultural confidence and planted seeds for India's later freedom movement
C. The Marathas had no lasting impact on Indian history because they were eventually defeated by the British
D. Their only achievement was military conquest without any cultural or political innovations
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) Through their successful resistance against powerful empires and demonstration that Indian states could govern themselves, the Marathas inspired cultural confidence and planted seeds for India's later freedom movement
Explanation:
The chapter concludes that the Marathas' most significant contribution was demonstrating that mighty kingdoms and empires could be defeated and that Indians could maintain, expand, and administer their own empire. Their brave fight against oppressive rule and foreign power, driven by Swarājya, later inspired many Indians to believe they could govern themselves, planting the early seeds for India's freedom movement.
A. The Tughlaq Sultanate
B. The Khilji Sultanate
C. The Delhi Sultanate under Alauddin
D. The Afghan rulers from the north
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) The Khilji Sultanate
Explanation:
The chapter explicitly states that in the early 14th century, the Yadava dynasty was overcome by the Khilji Sultanate from Delhi, marking a significant shift in political control over Maharashtra.
A. He fought his way out with a small group of soldiers hidden nearby
B. He hid himself and his son in baskets of fruits and sweets meant as gifts to holy men and generals
C. He disguised himself as a Mughal official and walked out through the palace gates
D. He tunnelled out through the underground passages beneath the fort
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) He hid himself and his son in baskets of fruits and sweets meant as gifts to holy men and generals
Explanation:
The chapter describes how Chhatrapati Shivaji devised a clever strategy—he began distributing gifts containing fruits and sweets packed in large baskets to holy men and Mughal generals. Guards initially inspected these baskets but eventually stopped doing so, allowing Chhatrapati Shivaji and his son Sambhaji to hide in the baskets and escape without being captured again.
A. He destroyed all temples and religious buildings to establish his authority
B. He obtained enormous treasure worth nearly one crore rupees while deliberately sparing religious places and even a charitable man's house
C. He was immediately captured by Mughal forces and forced to surrender
D. He distributed all the wealth among his soldiers rather than keeping it for the state treasury
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) He obtained enormous treasure worth nearly one crore rupees while deliberately sparing religious places and even a charitable man's house
Explanation:
• He obtained enormous treasure worth approximately one crore of rupees
• He deliberately spared religious places and did not attack them
• He even spared the house of Mohandas Parekh, a charitable man, showing his selective targeting
• These events became so famous they appeared in the London Gazette, an English newspaper of the time, demonstrating how widely known his actions became across Europe.
A. Power became increasingly concentrated in the hands of the Chhatrapati, mirroring earlier sultanate models
B. The centralised administration gave way to a more decentralised structure where regional chiefs wielded greater power alongside a powerful Peshwa
C. The state dissolved into independent kingdoms with no nominal central authority whatsoever
D. Authority shifted entirely to the Peshwa while the Chhatrapati became merely a ceremonial figurehead with no actual influence
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) The centralised administration gave way to a more decentralised structure where regional chiefs wielded greater power alongside a powerful Peshwa
Explanation:
The chapter explains that during rapid expansion, the Maratha state transformed from the centralised model under Chhatrapati Shivaji into a more decentralised structure. While still nominally centred around the Chhatrapati, the regional chiefs acquired considerable power and autonomy. The Peshwa became particularly influential, wielding great power even over the Chhatrapati himself, as demonstrated by figures like Peshwa Bajirao I and Nanasaheb Peshwa who drove the pan-Indian expansion.
A. They were mandatory tributes paid by all conquered territories without exception, leaving no autonomy to local rulers
B. They were levied from provinces not directly under Maratha control in exchange for protection, while the Marathas refrained from interfering in internal administration
C. They were fees charged only to European merchants to prevent them from establishing trading posts
D. They were religious taxes collected primarily from Hindu temples and distributed to Maratha soldiers
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) They were levied from provinces not directly under Maratha control in exchange for protection, while the Marathas refrained from interfering in internal administration
Explanation:
Chauth was a 25 per cent tax and sardeshmukhi an additional 10 per cent tax that the Marathas levied from provinces not directly under their rule, including places in the Deccan and north India. Importantly, in return for these taxes, the Marathas protected those provinces and deliberately did not intervene in their internal administration. Over time, this arrangement—which the Mughals also approved through treaties—allowed some of these provinces to eventually become part of the Maratha Empire itself.
Free study material for Social Science
Download Chapter MCQs: Class 8 Social Science Chapter 03 The Rise Of The Marathas
About Chapter 03 The Rise Of The Marathas MCQs for Class 8 Social Science
Review structured objective questions for Class 8 Social Science Chapter 03 The Rise Of The Marathas. Built according to official CBSE guidelines, these MCQ sets support daily revision and core concept reinforcement.
How to Verify Your MCQ Answers
Built using the official NCERT book for Class 8, these Social Science objective sets provide reliable academic guidance. Pair your practice with our recommended NCERT solutions to master optimal problem-solving approaches.
Enhance Speed with Online MCQ Tests
Follow up your worksheet practice by attempting the interactive online Social Science MCQ test for this chapter to evaluate your execution speed. All platform resources are free to access.
FAQs
You can get most exhaustive CBSE Class 8 Social Science Chapter 03 The Rise Of The Marathas MCQs Set 03 for free on StudiesToday.com. These MCQs for Class 8 Social Science are updated for the 2026-27 academic session as per CBSE examination standards.
Yes, our CBSE Class 8 Social Science Chapter 03 The Rise Of The Marathas MCQs Set 03 include the latest type of questions, such as Assertion-Reasoning and Case-based MCQs. 50% of the CBSE paper is now competency-based.
By solving our CBSE Class 8 Social Science Chapter 03 The Rise Of The Marathas MCQs Set 03, Class 8 students can improve their accuracy and speed which is important as objective questions provide a chance to secure 100% marks in the Social Science.
Yes, Social Science MCQs for Class 8 have answer key and brief explanations to help students understand logic behind the correct option as its important for 2026 competency-focused CBSE exams.
Yes, you can also access online interactive tests for CBSE Class 8 Social Science Chapter 03 The Rise Of The Marathas MCQs Set 03 on StudiesToday.com as they provide instant answers and score to help you track your progress in Social Science.