A series of succession struggles in the late 18th century by the individual Maratha chiefs led to British intervention through the East India Company (founded on December 31 1660) who themselves were establishing their own power base in India. By supporting a rival claimant to the Maratha throne, the British asked for greater concessions from the new ruler upon his victory, weakening the Maratha Empire further.
To prevent this blatant interference of their internal affairs, other Maratha chiefs fought the British in a series of three Anglo-Maratha wars. The first one ended in Maratha victory in 1782, with a restoration of the pre-war status quo.
The cause of the second Anglo Maratha War ended in a Maratha defeat in which they were forced to sign a treaty acknowledging British paramountcy. The Third Anglo Maratha War from 1817-1818 was a last-ditch effort to regain sovereignty, resulting in the loss of Maratha independence: it left Britain in control of most of India.
The last Peshwa, Nana Sahib, born as Govind Dhondu Pant, was the adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao II. He was one of the main leaders of the 1857 revolt against British rule. Though he was defeated in the revolt, his legacy inspired many to continue the struggle in the name of the Indian Independence.