Class 7 History Notes - New Political Formationa in the 18th century

Introduction

• The 18th century saw significant changes in the political and economic landscape of India.
• This chapter explores the decline of the Mughal Empire and the rise of various regional powers.

Downfall of the Mughal Empire

Weak Successors of Aurangzeb:

• Aurangzeb's successors were weak and inefficient rulers.
• They couldn't manage the vast Mughal Empire effectively.
• Distant governors started declaring independence.

Vastness of the Empire:

• The Mughal Empire covered a vast area, making it hard to govern.
• Administering such a large empire was costly.

Wars of Succession:

• Mughals lacked a clear succession policy, leading to conflicts.
• Many rulers ascended to the throne by killing their relatives.
• These wars of succession damaged the Mughal rulers' reputation.

Policies of Aurangzeb:

• Aurangzeb's rigid religious policies caused revolts by various groups, like the Rajputs, Sikhs, Jats, and Satnamis.
• He spent the latter part of his rule fighting the Marathas in the south, neglecting the north.

Powerful Nobility:

• The nobles gained immense power during the Later Mughal period.
• They sought control over the administration and, in some cases, declared independence.

Defects in the Mansabdari System:

• The hereditary nature of jagirs (land grants) led to corruption and factionalism.

Nadir Shah's Invasion (1739):

• Nadir Shah invaded Delhi, looting vast treasures, including the Kohinoor diamond and the Peacock Throne.

Rise of the Regional Powers

Old Provinces of the Mughals:

• Regions like Awadh, Bengal, and Hyderabad declared some independence while maintaining ties with the Mughals in name.

Rajputs:

• Sawai Raja Jai Singh, a prominent Rajput ruler, founded Jaipur.
• He was known for building advanced observatories called Jantar Mantar.
• Constant internal conflicts and subjugation by the Marathas contributed to the Rajputs' decline.

Sikhs:

• Guru Gobind Singh organized the Sikhs into a military brotherhood called the Khalsa.
• Under Bahadur Shah I, the Sikhs, led by Banda Bahadur, fought against the Mughals.
• The Sikhs later organized into 12 groups and united under Maharaja Ranjit Singh, establishing a powerful Sikh kingdom.

Awadh:

• Awadh became an independent state around Lucknow, controlling trade between Bengal and northern India.
• The first Nawab of Awadh, Saadat Khan, reduced the number of jagirdars and introduced revenue farmers (ijaradars).

Hyderabad:

• Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah, a Mughal noble, established the independent state of Hyderabad in 1724.
• The Nizams efficiently administered the region and opposed the growing power of the Marathas.

Bengal:

• The Nawabs of Bengal, initially Mughal governors, became de facto rulers.
• They restructured administration, tackled corruption, and encouraged agriculture, trade, and revenue collection.

Jats:

• The Jats, under Churaman, controlled the region between Delhi and Agra.
• Agriculture was their primary source of income, and Bharatpur emerged as a strong kingdom.

The Marathas

• Shivaji, born in 1627, laid the foundation for the Maratha Empire.
• He assumed the title of Chhatrapati and used guerrilla warfare against the Mughals.
• The Maratha Empire expanded under leaders like Balaji Vishwanath, Baji Rao I, and Balaji Baji Rao.
• They entered into a treaty with the Mughals to defend the empire from Ahmad Shah Abdali but faced a decline as other regional powers did not support them in the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761.

The Maratha Administration:

• The Maratha state was divided into provinces, districts, and sub-districts.
• The Peshwa, the prime minister, played a crucial role in civil and military affairs.
• The Dabir managed foreign affairs, and the Senapati was the commander-in-chief.

The Maratha Army:

• Shivaji appointed officials based on merit and maintained strict discipline in the army.
• The Maratha army included infantry, cavalry, artillery, and a navy.
• Forts played a vital role in their warfare, and they used guerrilla tactics effectively.

The Maratha Land Revenue System:

• Land revenue was the main income source, assessed regularly and based on land quality and yield.
• Two taxes, chauth and sardeshmukhi, were imposed on Mughlai lands.
• In swarajya lands, farmers paid two-fifths of their produce as tax, either in cash or kind.
• During famines, the state supported farmers with grain and money.
• The Marathas encouraged agriculture, trade, and fortified their territories, leading to their regional power's growth.