Treaty of Bassein (1802)

The Treaty of Bassein was the end of December 1802 concluded between Baji Rao II and the East India Company.

Prehistory and contracting

The Peshwa Baji Rao II was nominally Maratha, a confederation of petty kings, before. Their powerful the Gaekwad in Baroda ( Gujarat ), the Scindia in Gwalior (south of Agra ), the Holkar in Indore ( Malwa region ) and the Bhonsle in Nagpur ( Berar Region ) were.

Since the Peshwa felt set by the Scindia under pressure, he sought in 1800 to hedge, reluctantly, a military alliance with the British East India Company. The Governor-General of Fort William Richard Colley Wellesley, 1st Marquess Wellesley, hoping this would bring Maratha alliance under British influence. The negotiations dragged on for months. Baji Rao II wanted to avoid the presence of British troops on its territory, because he feared to be a British vassal. The issue of costs was still to be clarified.

Even as the negotiations were led in Holkar to a disputed succession to the throne. Jeswant Rao Holkar had taken power in most of Holkars after fights. Baji Rao II Scindia and were on the side of his opponents. Jeswant Rao suffered a series defeats against Gwalior, but reorganized his army with the help of foreign military and struck on 25 October 1802, the combined armies of the Peshwas and Scindias in the battle of Pune.

Now Baji Rao II was all British conditions and end-December, the Treaty of Bassein with them. With him he lost his sovereignty in foreign policy matters and the supremacy of the Marathas in India was broken.

Conditions

  • The British East India Company takes over the protection of the territory of Peshwa Baji Rao II
  • Six battalions with about 6,000 men and artillery are stationed to protect the territory of the Peshwas
  • Area with a yield of 26 lakh rupees was ceded to the British East India Company to cover the cost of stationing
  • The Peshwa granted anyone shelter who acts against the interests of the British East India Company
  • The Peshwa takes in conflicts with the Nizam of Hyderabad or any other teaching the British East India Company, recognizing the agreement of the British East India Company with Gaekwad to
  • Negotiated or not communicating with any local or foreign power without the consent of the British East India Company of the Peshwa
  • His rights in and around the area of Surat goes to the British East India Company over
Baroda State Gwalior State Hyderabad State Second Anglo-Maratha War
801994
de