Treaty of Surat

The Treaty of Surat was a political agreement concluded on 6 March 1775 between Raghunath Rao (Raghoba), a claimant to the Peshwa throne of the Maratha Empire, and the British East India Company represented by Governor Thomas Rumbold of Bombay. This treaty marked the beginning of British involvement in the internal affairs of the Maratha Empire and served as the precursor to the First Anglo-Maratha War (1775–1782).

Background and Political Context

The mid-eighteenth century in India was marked by a gradual decline of Mughal authority and the rise of regional powers such as the Marathas. After the death of Peshwa Madhav Rao I in 1772, the Maratha Empire faced a severe succession crisis. Madhav Rao’s younger brother, Narayan Rao, succeeded him as Peshwa but was soon murdered in 1773, allegedly at the instigation of his uncle, Raghunath Rao (Raghoba), who sought to claim the position of Peshwa for himself.
However, Raghunath Rao’s claim was opposed by the powerful Maratha confederacy, particularly by the Barbhai Council—a group of influential Maratha chiefs led by Nana Phadnavis—who supported the posthumous infant son of Narayan Rao, Madhav Rao II, as the legitimate Peshwa. Raghunath Rao, facing opposition and lacking support within the Maratha nobility, sought the aid of the British in Bombay to secure his position.
At the same time, the British East India Company’s Bombay Government was eager to expand its political influence and territorial possessions in western India. The internal divisions within the Maratha Empire provided the British an opportunity to intervene under the guise of alliance.

Terms of the Treaty

The Treaty of Surat was signed on 6 March 1775 at Surat, a major port city on India’s western coast. The agreement outlined mutual obligations between Raghunath Rao and the East India Company. Its principal terms included:

• The British East India Company agreed to provide 2,500 troops to support Raghunath Rao’s claim to the Peshwa position.
• In return, Raghunath Rao promised territorial concessions to the Company:
  • The island of Salsette, adjacent to Bombay, was to be ceded to the British.
  • The island of Bassein (Vasai), an important strategic location north of Bombay, was also to be transferred.
  • The revenue of the Surat district was to be shared or assigned as compensation for military expenses.
• The treaty established Raghunath Rao as a British ally and recognised his title as Peshwa under British protection.

The terms reflected the Company’s strategic objectives—to secure Bombay’s defences, extend control along the Konkan coast, and gain revenue from prosperous regions near their settlements.

Immediate Consequences

The Treaty of Surat immediately provoked controversy within the East India Company and among Indian political circles. The Calcutta Council, under Governor-General Warren Hastings, criticised the Bombay Government for acting independently without proper authorisation. Hastings viewed the treaty as hasty and diplomatically dangerous, given the strength of the Maratha confederacy.
Meanwhile, the Maratha chiefs, united under the Barbhai Council, rejected the legitimacy of Raghunath Rao’s alliance with the British. The resulting tensions escalated into open warfare, marking the beginning of the First Anglo-Maratha War (1775–1782).
In May 1775, British troops marched alongside Raghunath Rao’s forces but were defeated by the Marathas at the Battle of Aras (Adas) near Vadodara. The defeat, combined with internal disagreement among Company officials, led to the repudiation of the Treaty of Surat.

Replacement by the Treaty of Purandar

The growing opposition and poor military outcomes forced the British to reconsider their position. To restore peace, Colonel Upton, a British negotiator, was sent to the Maratha camp. This resulted in a new agreement, the Treaty of Purandar, signed on 1 March 1776.
The Treaty of Purandar annulled the Treaty of Surat and introduced the following changes:

• The East India Company renounced its support for Raghunath Rao, acknowledging Madhav Rao II as the legitimate Peshwa.
• The Company was allowed to retain Salsette and Broach (Bharuch) as compensation for war expenses.
• Raghunath Rao was granted a pension and promised safe residence under Maratha supervision.

Although this arrangement temporarily restored diplomatic relations, it failed to prevent further conflict, as hostilities resumed in 1777 when the Bombay Council again attempted to support Raghunath Rao, leading to renewed fighting across western India.

Historical Significance

The Treaty of Surat is significant for several reasons:

1. Beginning of Anglo-Maratha Conflict: It was the immediate cause of the First Anglo-Maratha War, the first major military confrontation between the British East India Company and the Maratha Empire.
2. British Expansionist Policy: The treaty exemplified the Company’s early policy of exploiting internal divisions among Indian powers to gain territorial and political advantages.
3. Autonomy of Bombay Presidency: The incident exposed the independent and often uncoordinated actions of the Bombay Government, leading to stricter control by the central authority in Calcutta thereafter.
4. Maratha Political Unity: The Marathas, despite internal rivalries, managed to unite against foreign interference, demonstrating their capacity to resist British advances.
5. Diplomatic Lessons: The British learned the necessity of centralised diplomacy and coordination in dealing with Indian states, lessons that later shaped their approach in the Second and Third Anglo-Maratha Wars.

Evaluation and Legacy

While the Treaty of Surat was short-lived, it marked a turning point in British-Maratha relations. It exposed both the opportunism of the British and the fragility of Maratha unity. For Raghunath Rao, the treaty was a desperate attempt to reclaim political power but ultimately led to his downfall and marginalisation.
For the British, the episode revealed the risks of premature military intervention without adequate planning or approval from higher authorities. Nonetheless, the eventual retention of territories such as Salsette and Broach laid the foundation for the expansion of British influence in western India.