<Ul> <Li> First </Li> <Li> Second </Li> <Li> Third </Li> </Ul> <P> The Third Anglo - Maratha War (1817--1818) was the final and decisive conflict between the British East India Company (EIC) and the Maratha Empire in India . The war left the Company in control of most of India . It began with an invasion of the Maratha territory by British East India Company troops, the largest such British controlled force massed in India . The troops were led by the Governor General Hastings (no relation to Warren Hastings, the first Governor - General of Bengal) supported by a force under General Thomas Hislop . Operations began against the Pindaris, a band of Muslim mercenaries and Marathas from central India . </P> <P> Peshwa Baji Rao II's forces, supported by those of Mudhoji II Bhonsle of Nagpur and Malharrao Holkar III of Indore, rose against the East India Company . Pressure and diplomacy convinced the fourth major Maratha leader, Daulatrao Shinde of Gwalior, to remain neutral even though he lost control of Rajasthan . </P> <P> British victories were swift, resulting in the breakup of the Maratha Empire and the loss of Maratha independence . The Peshwa was defeated in the battles of Khadki and Koregaon . Several minor battles were fought by the Peshwa's forces to prevent his capture . </P>

Who organised a maratha confederacy against the english leading to the third anglo maratha war