Treaty of Surat 1775: Key Details Explained

The question asks about the specific party the British concluded the Treaty of Surat with in the year 1775. This treaty was a significant agreement during the Maratha Empire's history and marked an early intervention by the British East India Company in internal Maratha affairs.

The Treaty of Surat was signed on March 6, 1775. The primary parties involved in this agreement were:

• The British East India Company, represented by its Governor-General, Warren Hastings.
• Raghunath Rao (also known as Raghoba), a claimant to the position of Peshwa (Maratha ruler).

Context of the Treaty of Surat

Following the death of Peshwa Narayan Rao in 1773, a power struggle ensued within the Maratha administration. Narayan Rao's uncle, Raghunath Rao, was widely suspected of involvement in his murder and sought the support of the British to secure his claim to the Peshwa title against the powerful Maratha chiefs (the Barbhai council) who supported the infant son of Narayan Rao.

The British East India Company saw this internal conflict as an opportunity to expand its influence and territorial gains.

Key Terms of the Treaty

Under the Treaty of Surat, the British agreed to provide military assistance to Raghunath Rao. In return, Raghunath Rao promised to cede territories, including:

• Salsette
• Bassein
• Revenues from Surat and Broach

This treaty essentially aimed to place Raghunath Rao on the Peshwa throne with British backing, thereby ensuring British dominance in the region. Although the treaty ultimately led to conflict (the First Anglo-Maratha War), its immediate purpose was to forge an alliance with Raghunath Rao.

Therefore, the British concluded the Treaty of Surat in 1775 with Raghunath Rao.