Class 8 Social Science — Chapter 3: The Rise of the Marathas
72 practice questions · 24 Easy · 24 Medium · 24 Hard
Practise Class 8 Social Science Chapter 3, "The Rise of the Marathas", with 72 NCERT-aligned multiple-choice questions. The set is split into 24 Easy, 24 Medium and 24 Hard questions, so you can warm up on the fundamentals and then push into the exam-level problems that separate top scorers in CBSE Board exams.
"The Rise of the Marathas" is one of the chapters where dates, cause-and-effect reasoning and map/source interpretation really pays off. Each MCQ on this chapter is timed and uses exam-grade marking (+2 correct, −1 wrong, 0 skipped), training the same accuracy-under-pressure that real papers demand. Every question carries a short explanation, so a wrong answer becomes a quick lesson rather than a dead end — the fastest way to close gaps before a test.
Use this chapter as targeted revision: attempt the Easy set first to confirm your basics on The Rise of the Marathas, then move to Medium and Hard to test application and problem-solving. Your accuracy, streaks and XP save automatically, and the chapter feeds into your overall Class 8 Social Science mastery score. A few sample questions are shown below; sign in free to practise all 72.
Key concepts: The Rise of the Marathas (Class 8 Social Science)
From a base in the Deccan, Chhatrapati Shivaji built Swarajya on forts, guerrilla tactics and a navy, and set up a salaried administration. After him the Marathas became the largest pan-Indian power before the British.
- Swarajya
- Chhatrapati Shivaji's vision of a sovereign kingdom, extending to political, economic and cultural self-rule.
- Guerrilla warfare
- Using small groups with speed, surprise and knowledge of the terrain to defeat much larger armies.
- Ashta pradhana mandala
- Chhatrapati Shivaji's council of eight ministers, including the Pradhan, Amatya (finance), Senapati (commander-in-chief) and Nyayadhish (chief justice).
- Chauth and sardeshmukhi
- Taxes of 25% and a further 10% collected from provinces outside direct Maratha rule, in return for protection.
- Peshwa
- Persian for 'prime minister'; in the later Maratha state the Peshwa wielded influence even over the Chhatrapati.
- Cartaz
- The naval trade pass Europeans forced Indian ships to buy; the Marathas turned the practice back on them.
- Panchayat (Maratha judiciary)
- A local gathering of officials and prominent men that delivered justice, with appeal to a Maratha chief.
- Jagir
- Land granted for service, whose revenue the holder could collect — a system Chhatrapati Shivaji replaced with salaries.
💡 Exam tips for The Rise of the Marathas
- He abolished hereditary posts and paid officials from the treasury, transferring them periodically so none could build local power.
- The navy was genuinely new: Bijapur had merchant ships but no standing naval force, and Mughal naval use was minimal.
- Tarabai turned the Marathas from defence to expansion, seeing that north India lay open while Aurangzeb was tied down in the Deccan.
- Three Anglo-Maratha wars (1775-1818) ended Maratha power — the British took India from the Marathas more than from the Mughals.
Sample questions
The Marathas are a group of people native to the Deccan plateau, more specifically present-day:
They are identified with Marathi, which has had a continuous literary history since the 12th century.
Bhakti saints helped build a cultural foundation for later Maratha political unity mainly because they:
They also translated texts such as the Upaniṣhads and Bhagavad Gītā into Marathi.
Assertion: Maratha society had a solid cultural foundation before it became a political power. Reason: Bhakti saints had spread philosophy in Marathi among ordinary people. Choose the correct option.
The chapter draws exactly this link, noting some saints also worked on social organisation and political awareness.
The Rise of the Marathas — FAQs
What are the key concepts in Class 8 Social Science The Rise of the Marathas?+
From a base in the Deccan, Chhatrapati Shivaji built Swarajya on forts, guerrilla tactics and a navy, and set up a salaried administration. After him the Marathas became the largest pan-Indian power before the British. Key ideas include Swarajya, Guerrilla warfare, Ashta pradhana mandala, Chauth and sardeshmukhi, Peshwa.
What does Class 8 Social Science Chapter 3 (The Rise of the Marathas) cover on XamBaaz?+
It covers 72 NCERT-aligned MCQs on "The Rise of the Marathas" — 24 Easy, 24 Medium and 24 Hard — each with a timed quiz and an instant explanation, suitable for CBSE Board exams.
Are these "The Rise of the Marathas" questions free to practise?+
Yes — sign in with Google to practise "The Rise of the Marathas" free. Full unlimited access is ₹999/year (limited-time launch price), with no per-chapter charges.
How should I revise "The Rise of the Marathas" for the exam?+
Start with the Easy quiz to confirm your fundamentals, then attempt Medium and Hard for application-level practice. Review each explanation, retry the questions you miss, and track your accuracy on this chapter until it is consistently high.
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