The 18th century in India witnessed the collapse of the Mughal Empire, triggered by weak leadership, internal strife, financial woes, and foreign invasions. This created a power vacuum filled by independent regional kingdoms. These included former Mughal provinces like Awadh, Bengal, and Hyderabad, along with hereditary Rajput states, and new powers such as the Marathas, Sikhs, and Jats. Simultaneously, European trading companies, particularly the British and French, expanded their influence. The British ultimately triumphed in the Carnatic Wars, establishing their dominance and paving the way for colonial rule in India.
I. Fill in the blanks:
1. ___________ became the independent ruler of Bengal and shifted his capital to Murshidabad.
Ans : Murshid Quli Khan
2. ________ founded the Asaf Jahi dynasty in _______.
Ans : Chin Qilich Khan,AD 1724
3. Haider Ali was the ruler of__________.
Ans : Mysore
4. __________ was the leader of the Sikhs after the death of Guru Govind Singh.
Ans : Banda Bahadur
5. ____________ was the first Peshwa.
Ans : Balaji Vishwanath
II. Match the contents of Column A and Column B:
Answer:
III. State whether the following statements are True or False:
1. The office of the Peshwas was always hereditary.
Ans : False
2. In the Third Battle of Panipat, the Marathas fought with the Rajputs and the Jats.
Ans : False
3. The later Mughal kings were able rulers.
Ans : False.
4. Safdar Jung was the first Nizam of Hyderabad.
Ans : False
5. Jai Singh built an observatory (Jantar Mantar) and Pink City (Jaipur).
Ans : True
IV. Answer the following questions:
Question 1.
Write in brief the causes that led to the downfall of the Mughal empire.
Answer:
The Mughal Empire’s decline was multifaceted, primarily due to economic insolvency from endless wars and lavish spending, devastating foreign invasions that exposed its vulnerability, and a succession of weak rulers unable to control powerful nobles or unify the fragmenting empire.
Question 2.
When and between whom was the Third Battle of Panipa fought? What were its results?
Answer:
The Third Battle of Panipat, fought on January 14, 1761, resulted in a crushing defeat for the Maratha Empire at the hands of Ahmad Shah Abdali’s Durrani Afghans and their Indian allies. This significant loss severely curtailed Maratha aspirations for dominance in northern India, leaving a power vacuum that the British East India Company eventually capitalized on.
Question 3.
Name the first independent Nawab of Bengal. What were his achievements?
Answer:
Murshid Quli Khan, Bengal’s first independent Nawab, is celebrated for his pivotal administrative and revenue reforms. He implemented the Ijara system for land revenue collection and restructured the zamindari system, profoundly shaping Bengal’s historical landscape.
Question 4.
When was the Battle of Plassey fought? What effect did it have on the position of the English East India Company?
Answer:
The Battle of Plassey, fought on June 23, 1757, marked a pivotal moment for the English East India Company. Their conclusive victory granted them control over Bengal, a prosperous Indian province. This triumph transformed the Company from a trading organization into a significant political and military power in India. It initiated British colonial rule, allowing the Company to collect taxes, appoint puppet leaders, and progressively extend its influence across the subcontinent for two centuries
Question 5.
Who was Haider All? Discuss his achievements.
Answer:
Haider Ali, who ruled Mysore from around 1761 to 1782, began his career as a soldier and ascended to become the region’s de facto leader. He was known for his innovative approach to warfare, notably modernizing the Mysorean army with European-style artillery and pioneering iron-cased rockets, which surpassed contemporary European designs.
His reign saw significant territorial gains, expanding Mysore’s influence across southern India. A staunch opponent of British expansion, he challenged the East India Company in the First and Second Anglo-Mysore Wars, even compelling them to sign the Treaty of Madras in 1769. Beyond military achievements, Haider Ali also implemented administrative and economic reforms, including a new land revenue system and pro-trade policies. He was also a skilled diplomat, often forging alliances with other regional powers against the British.
Question 6.
Which ruler was known as the Tiger of Mysore?
Answer:
The famed title “Tiger of Mysore” was earned by Tipu Sultan, who became the ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore in 1782, succeeding his father, Hyder Ali. Tipu Sultan continued his father’s fierce resistance against the British East India Company. His unwavering opposition and impressive military prowess were the reasons he came to be known by this celebrated epithet.
V. Tell me why
Question 1.
The consequence of the Third Battle of Panipat was advantageous for the British.
Answer:
The Third Battle of Panipat in 1761, though not involving the British directly, proved immensely beneficial to their aspirations for Indian dominance. The Maratha Empire, then the most formidable indigenous power, suffered a crippling defeat, losing key leaders and experiencing severe fragmentation. This created a power vacuum and eliminated the only significant organized resistance to British expansion. With the Marathas weakened and the Mughal Empire already in decline, the British East India Company faced no unified Indian opposition, allowing them to incrementally consolidate their power, exploit existing disunity among Indian rulers, and eventually establish the British Raj.
Question 2.
Independent states were formed in the 18th century.
Answer:
The 18th century, while witnessing the emergence of a few independent states in Europe and its colonies, wasn’t characterized by widespread global nation-building. The dominant reality across much of the world was the enduring control of established empires and colonial powers, which significantly constrained the formation of new, sovereign nations.
VI. Picture study – This is a picture of a great ruler of Punjab.
Question 1.
Identify him.
Answer:
His leadership, from 1801 to 1839, transformed scattered Sikh misls into a dominant regional power in the Indian subcontinent during the early to mid-1800s.
Question 2.
How did they unite the Sikhs in Punjab?
Answer:
Maharaja Ranjit Singh unified Punjab by skillfully blending military might with clever diplomacy and sound governance. He conquered fragmented Sikh misls, modernized his Khalsa Army with European techniques, and defeated both Sikh rivals and Afghan forces. He further cemented unity through religious tolerance, allowing all faiths to serve, and by establishing a centralized administration that fostered a shared Sikh identity. Maharaja Ranjit Singh unified Punjab through a blend of military strength, diplomatic skill, and inclusive governance. He systematically conquered fragmented Sikh misls and Afghan territories, establishing a formidable “Khalsa Army” modernized with European training and artillery. Beyond military might, he fostered unity by promoting religious tolerance, allowing individuals of all faiths to hold key positions. His centralized administration and efforts to revive Sikh culture further solidified a shared identity among the diverse population.
Additional Questions
EXERCISES
A. Fill in the blanks:
1.During the first half of the _______ the great Mughal empire ____________.
Ans : 18th century, decayed and disintegrated.
2 .The Mughal emperors who ruled India after the death of Aurangzeb are known as the ________Mughals.
Ans : later
3.There were_________groups of nobles in the Mughal court.
Ans : four
4.Nadir Shah looted and plundered ________He carried away immense treasures including the ___________ and the ___________.
Ans : Delhi ,priceless Kohinoor,Peacock Throne
5.____________, the ruler of Afghanistan, repeatedly attacked the Mughal empire.
Ans : Ahmad Shah Abdali
6.___________ was defeated in the Revolt of 1857 and exiled to Rangoon by the British
Ans : Bahadur Shah Zafar
B. Match the following:
Answer:
C. Choose the correct answer:
1. Aurangzeb/Akbar/Shah Jahan followed a policy of religious intolerance.
Ans. Aurangzeb followed a policy of religious intolerance.
2. The military campaign in the Deccan led by Shah Jahan/ Aurangzeb/Akbar ruined the Mughal empire financially
Ans. The military campaign in the Deccan led by Aurangzeb ruined the Mughal empire financially.
3. The invasions of Ahmad Shah Abdali, the ruler of Afghanistan/Persia/Iraq shattered the power and prestige of the Mughal empire.
Ans. The invasions of Ahmad Shah Abdali, the ruler of Afghanistan shattered the power and prestige of the Mughal empire.
4. The Mughal empire lasted for over 3/5/6
Ans. The Mughal empire lasted for over 3 centuries.
5. The British ruled over India for 100 years/nearly 200 years/ 300 years.
Ans. The British ruled over India for nearly 200 years.
D. State whether the following are true or false.
1. Bahadur Shah ascended the throne after the death of Aurangzeb.
Ans : True.
2. The Mughal court was united and stable.
Ans : False
Correct:- The Mughal court was divided and unstable.
3. The Mughal officers were given jagirs as payments for their services.
Ans : True.
4. The Mughal rulers did not have a navy.
Ans : True.
5. The successors of Aurangzeb were very strong and efficient.
Ans : False.
Correct: The successors of Aurangzeb were very weak and inefficient.
E. Answer the following questions in one or two words/ sentences:
Question 1.
When did the transition from the Medieval to the Modern Period begin in India?
Answer:
European trading entities, most notably the British East India Company, exploited this instability, fundamentally altering the subcontinent’s political structure and socio-economic conditions
Question 2.
Name the first and the last emperors in the line of the Later Mughals.
Answer:
His reign, though relatively short, marked a significant shift in the trajectory of the Mughal Empire, moving away from the absolute power and extensive territorial control seen under his predecessors. He attempted to reconcile with various factions, including the Marathas and Rajputs, and reversed some of Aurangzeb’s more restrictive policies.
The final emperor in this declining dynasty was Bahadur Shah Zafar, whose rule effectively ended with the Indian Rebellion of 1857. By his time, the empire had shrunk dramatically, with his authority largely confined to the city of Delhi. His nominal leadership during the rebellion, though largely symbolic, sealed the fate of the Mughal dynasty, leading to his trial, deposition by the British, and exile. Thus, the period of the Later Mughals is bookended by these two figures, illustrating the empire’s gradual decline from a position of power to its ultimate demise.
Question 3.
Name any two rival groups of nobles in the Mughal court.
Answer:During the turbulent era of the Later Mughals, the imperial court was frequently crippled by fierce competition among various noble factions. These groups constantly struggled for power, influence, and control over state matters. Among the most notable rivalries were those between the Turanis and the Iranis.
The Turanis were nobles of Central Asian (Turkic) background. They typically occupied crucial military and administrative roles, their authority and lineage rooted in their ancestral ties to the Mughals’ original homeland. Their aim was to preserve and expand their dominance, often promoting policies that favored their Turkic heritage and interests.
Conversely, the Iranis were nobles of Persian descent, often Shia Muslims who had migrated from Persia and established themselves within the Mughal administration. They introduced distinct cultural and administrative practices, steadily increasing their influence. The animosity between the Turanis and Iranis was fueled by ethnic disparities, religious differences (Sunni Turanis versus Shia Iranis), and an ongoing battle for jagirs (land assignments), prestigious offices, and closeness to the emperor. This often resulted in elaborate court intrigues, political assassinations, and widespread civil unrest. Ultimately, these factional struggles severely undermined the central authority of the Mughal emperor, playing a significant role in the empire’s eventual decline.
Question 4.
Mention any two reasons for the failure of the mansabdari system.
Answer:
As the Mansabdar system evolved, its foundation of jagirs (land assignments) began to crumble. The escalating number of Mansabdars coupled with a dwindling supply of available land led to widespread corruption and inefficiency, ultimately undermining the system’s effectiveness.
Question 5.
What was the economic impact of the Mughal wars of succession?
Answer:
The Mughal wars of succession had a devastating economic impact. They led to widespread destruction of infrastructure and agricultural lands, disrupted trade routes, and drained the imperial treasury. This instability discouraged investment and production, causing a decline in revenue and pushing many regions into poverty.
Question 6.
How did Aurangzeb’s religious policy affect the relationship between the Mughals and the Rajputs?
Answer:
Aurangzeb’s religious policies, particularly his imposition of the jizya tax and destruction of temples, strained the historically cooperative relationship between the Mughals and many Rajput states. While some Rajputs continued to serve the empire, others, like the Marwar Rathors, actively rebelled, contributing to the empire’s eventual instability.
Question 7.
What led to the drain on the royal treasury during Shah Jahan’s reign?
Answer:
Shah Jahan’s lavish building projects, particularly the Taj Mahal and other architectural marvels, combined with extensive military campaigns, significantly depleted the royal treasury during his reign.
Question 8.
Which Mughal emperor assumed leadership of the Revolt of 1857? What happened to him after the Revolt?
Answer:
Bahadur Shah Zafar, the final Mughal emperor, served as the symbolic head of the 1857 Revolt. Following the British suppression of the rebellion, he was apprehended, convicted of treason, and exiled to Rangoon in 1858. He died there in 1862, marking the definitive end of the Mughal dynasty; his sons had been executed by the British.
F. Answer the following questions briefly.
Question 1.
Several factors were responsible for the decline of the Mughal empire. In this context answer the following questions:
(a).How did court politics undermine the authority and prestige of the Mughal empire?
(b).To what extent was the jagirdari crisis responsible for a further decline of the power of the emperor?
(c).How did the wars of succession destabilize the Mughal empire?
Answer:
(a).
Court politics significantly weakened the Mughal Empire’s authority and prestige through constant infighting, rivalries among nobles, and the rise of powerful factions. These internal power struggles turned emperors into mere puppets, eroded central control, and diverted attention and resources from effective governance to maintaining precarious alliances and suppressing rebellions, thereby diminishing the empire’s power and reputation both internally and externally.
(b)
The Jagirdari crisis significantly weakened the emperor’s power by creating widespread administrative and economic instability. As fertile land became scarce, competition for jagirs intensified, leading to frequent conflicts among nobles and a decline in their loyalty. Many jagirdars, unsure of their tenure, exploited peasants and neglected their administrative duties, further reducing imperial revenue and control. This undermined the central authority, fostering regional autonomy and diminishing the emperor’s ability to maintain a strong, unified empire.
(c)
The frequent wars of succession following the death of Mughal emperors severely destabilized the empire by depleting its treasury and military resources. These conflicts weakened the central authority, diverted attention from effective governance, and empowered ambitious nobles who often sided with different claimants, further fragmenting the empire’s unity and paving the way for regional autonomy.
Question 2.
With reference to the decline and disintegration of
(a) The Mughal empire discuss the following:
(b) The breakdown of the mansabdari system The weaknesses
(c) of the Mughal army Aurangzeb’s religious policy
Answer:
(a)The Mughal Empire’s decline was multifaceted, stemming from a succession of weak rulers after Aurangzeb, which led to intense internal power struggles among ambitious nobles. This internal instability was compounded by the rise of powerful regional states like the Marathas, Sikhs, and Jats, who challenged imperial authority. Frequent invasions from the northwest, such as those by Nadir Shah and Ahmad Shah Abdali, further depleted the empire’s resources and prestige, ultimately leading to its fragmentation.
(b) Over-ranking, where mansabdars were granted higher ranks than justified by available land, led to a severe shortage of jagirs (revenue assignments). This scarcity fueled competition and corruption, as mansabdars struggled to find profitable assignments, often resorting to exploiting peasants. Furthermore, the system became increasingly hereditary rather than merit-based, diminishing administrative efficiency and military discipline. This weakened the core administrative and military backbone of the empire, contributing significantly to its decline
(c) Aurangzeb’s religious policies, marked by the jizya tax, temple destruction, and intolerance, alienated non-Muslims, especially Rajputs and Marathas. This fueled widespread rebellions, draining imperial resources, weakening the military, and ultimately contributing to the Mughal Empire’s decline
Question 3.
To what extent were the following factors responsible for the eventual collapse of the Mughal empire?
(a) Economic bankruptcy (b) Foreign invasions (c) Weak successors
Answer:
(a)The Mughal Empire’s downfall was a multi-faceted process. Economically, prolonged warfare, especially Aurangzeb’s Deccan campaigns, severely depleted the treasury. This was exacerbated by the lavish spending of later rulers and a decline in agricultural productivity, leading to widespread financial instability.
(b) Adding to the internal woes were devastating foreign invasions. Nadir Shah and Ahmad Shah Abdali’s incursions in the mid-18th century plundered immense wealth and starkly exposed the empire’s military vulnerabilities, significantly hastening its decline.
(c)Finally, a succession of weak rulers after Aurangzeb proved incapable of governing effectively. Their inability to rein in powerful nobles, suppress rebellions, or address the burgeoning financial crisis fostered rampant corruption and internal strife, ultimately leading to the empire’s fragmentation into numerous independent states.
G. Picture Study:
This is a portrait of the last of the Later Mughals.
Question 1.
Identify the Mughal emperor represented in this picture.
Answer:
The individual prominently featured in the portrait is Bahadur Shah Zafar, who holds the historical distinction of being the last of the Later Mughal emperors. His reign marked the twilight of a once-mighty dynasty that had governed vast swathes of the Indian subcontinent for centuries. He ascended to the throne at a time when the Mughal Empire had significantly diminished in power and territorial control, largely reduced to a symbolic authority over Delhi and its immediate environs. Despite his nominal emperorship, true political and military power had long since shifted to regional states and, increasingly, to the burgeoning influence of the British East India Company. Bahadur Shah Zafar is perhaps most remembered for his reluctant involvement in the Indian Rebellion of 1857, where he was proclaimed the leader by the sepoys, a move that ultimately led to his deposition by the British, his trial, and subsequent exile to Rangoon (now Yangon), Myanmar, where he passed away. His portrait thus represents not just a ruler, but the poignant end of an imperial era.
Question 2.
What part did he play in the Revolt of 1857?
Answer:
Bahadur Shah Zafar’s role in the 1857 Revolt was primarily symbolic. Though hesitant, he was proclaimed leader by mutinying sepoys, lending his historical legitimacy to the rebellion. While he lacked real control over the diverse rebel factions due to his age and military inexperience, his presence unified many Indians against British rule, giving the revolt a national character.
Question 3.
What happened to the Mughal empire after his death?
Answer:
With Bahadur Shah Zafar’s passing in exile in 1862, the Mughal Empire officially ended. Its effective authority had already vanished after the British suppressed the 1857 rebellion and dethroned him, ushering in direct British Crown rule over India.
Question 4.
Mention any four reasons for the decline of the Mughal empire Explain any two reasons.
Answer:
The Mughal Empire’s decline was a multifaceted crisis. Persistent warfare, especially Aurangzeb’s costly Deccan campaigns, and lavish expenditures drained the treasury, leading to widespread economic hardship. External blows from Nadir Shah and Ahmad Shah Abdali’s invasions plundered wealth and exposed military vulnerabilities. Internally, weak successors and incessant rebellions, coupled with the emergence of powerful regional forces like the Marathas and Sikhs, fragmented the empire.
