The first Maratha war (1775-82):- it was fought between the Marathas and the English(British) when Warren Hastings (1772-85) was governor general of India.

The English(British) clashed  with the Marathas for the first Time in 1775. After the death of the forth Peshwa, his younger brother, Narayan Rao, become the Peshwa. But his uncle Raghoba got him killed and seized the Throne. The Maratha chiefs, under the leadership of nana Fadnavis, Desposed him and placed Mahadev Rao 2nd(son of Narayan Rao) on the throne. The English (BRITISH) supported Raghoba and the first Maratha war begin. All the Maratha chief were united under the Peshwa. They defeated the British forces sent from Bombay(now Mumbai). This was the dark hour for the British power in India. Warren Hastings however, sent two armies from Bengal.

The British captured Ahemdabad in 1782. they also seized Gwalior from the Maratha chief, Mahadji Scindia. the Scindia sued for peace and , consequently, the war was concluded in 1782 by the treaty of Salbai. The British acknowledged Mahadev Rao 2nd as the Peshwa and Rahgoba was given a pension of three lakhs rupees a year. In this way, the British were able to save their prestige in India.

Nana Fadnavis was an able Maratha leader. he maintained unity among the Maratha chiefs and kept the Mahadev confederacy intact. there broke out a civil war among the Maratha chiefs after his death in 1800. Each chief wanted to bring the Peshwa under his influence. Jaswant Rao Holkar attacked and defeated the combined forces of the Peshwa and Scindia and drove Peshwa Baji Rao 2nd out of Poona.



In 1802, Baji Rao Rushed into the arms of the British and concluded the treaty of Bassein with them. He accepted the  subsidiary system of load Wellesley and acknowledged the Suzerainty of the British. the head of the Marathas, thus, came under the control of the British.