Fill in the blank with the appropriate word.
After the loss at the Third Battle of Panipat, the Maratha Empire ____________ into several confederate states, and the resulting political instability and armed conflict severely affected economic life in several parts of the country.

Correct option is A

The correct option is (a).

Explanation:

• The sentence indicates that after defeat, the empire broke up into several smaller confederate states.
• Disintegrated means “to break into parts and lose cohesion,” which perfectly fits the context.

Correct answer word – Disintegrated:

• Meaning: Broke down into smaller parts; collapsed. (Hindi meaning: विघटित होना / टूट जाना)
• Example: The alliance disintegrated after internal conflicts.

Meanings of other options:

• (b) Torpedoed – Destroyed or sabotaged suddenly (नष्ट करना/सबोटाज करना); not suitable with “into several states”.
• (c) Impenetrated – Not a correct usage here; “impenetrable” is common, but “impenetrated into” does not fit.
• (d) Violated – Broke a rule or harmed (उल्लंघन करना); does not fit the meaning of breaking up into states.

So the correct answer is (a)