Which of the following took the initiative to organise a confederacy of the Maratha chiefs against the English leading to the Third Anglo- Maratha War (1817-18)?

The Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817-18) was precipitated by the Peshwa's attempt to regain his lost independence and prestige. Following the Second Anglo-Maratha War, the Maratha chiefs felt humiliated by British control [2]. Peshwa Baji Rao II, feeling particularly restricted by the British Resident and the Treaty of Poona (1817), took the initiative to organize a united front or confederacy of Maratha chiefs against the English [2][t4]. Although the Maratha chiefs like the Bhonsle and Holkar joined the cause, they failed to coordinate a concerted plan [2]. The Governor-General, Lord Hastings, responded vigorously, defeating the Peshwa at Khirki, the Bhonsle at Sitabuldi, and the Holkar at Mahidpur [2]. Ultimately, the Peshwa surrendered in 1818, leading to the abolition of the Peshwaship and the formal dissolution of the Maratha confederacy [1].

Sources

1. [2] Modern India ,Bipin Chandra, History class XII (NCERT 1982 ed.)[Old NCERT] > Chapter 4: The British Conquest of India > Expansion Under Lord Hastings > p. 81
2. [1] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 5: Expansion and Consolidation of British Power in India > Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817-19) > p. 107