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Rise of independent
regional powers
Rise of regional powers
Disintegration of Mughal Empire – political vacuum – filled by several independent and semi – independent regional powers – some rebelled against Mughal authority while in others the governors took advantage of the situation and asserted their independence
The MarathasOOne of the most
important regional powers
OHad power and potential to establish an all – India empire
ShahuO Shahu – grandson of Shivaji –
imprisoned by Aurangzeb – released in 1707 (after Aurangzeb’s death)
O Maratha war of succession – Shahu became the next heir with the help of Balaji Vishwanath- chief minister / Peshwa / mukh pradhan - 1713
O Became ease – loving and weak – ceremonial head – real authority – Peshwa – second phase of Maratha history – dominance of Peshwas – empire (1713 – 1818)
Balaji VishwanathO Took advantage of Mughal’s
weaknesses – important concessions – enhance power, prestige of Marathas.
O Shivaji’s territories conquered by Aurangzeb given back to Shahu.
O Right to levy chauth and sardeshmukhi from 6 Mughal provinces in the Deccan – granted to Marathas
O 1719 – Helped Sayyid brothers defeat
FarrukhsiyarMade Marathas a formidable power
Balaji VishwanathO Laid the foundations
of a hereditary, dynastic rule of Peshwas
O Succeded by his son Baji Rao I
Baji Rao IO a military genius, bold, dynamicO Maratha kingdom became an empire
– series of brilliant campaignsO Mughal provinces divided into
‘spheres of influence’O Prominent Maratha families from
Sindhia, Bhonsle, Holkar, Gaekwad – had chiefs – ruled ‘spheres of influence’
O Chiefs enjoyed maximum autonomyO Maratha confederacy – loose union
of Maratha chiefs – headed by the Peshwa
Balaji Baji RaoO father Baji Rao I - acquired
the throne at 18 yearsO Became the official head of
the Maratha empire – death of Shahu
O Poona / Pune – headquarters of the Peshwas – capital of the Maratha empire
O Continued policy of expansion – height of power and glory
O North India – the power behind the Mughal throne
Ahmad Shah AbdaliO Afghan generalO Faced the Marathas when
they conquered PunjabO Defeated the Maratha army
- Third Battle of Panipat – 1761
O Marathas failed in replacing the Mughal Empire and Afghans failed in capitalizing their victory – ideal condition for entry of English East India Company
Bengal O One of the richest provinces
of the Mughal empire
O Decline of Mughal authority – the governor of Bengal Murshid Quli Khan – paid annual tribute but tried to free himself from Mughal control – began to rule independently.
Murshid Quli KhanO excellent
administratorO exceptional
abilitiesO freed Bengal from
external and internal dangers.
O established stability, peace and prosperity
Alivardi KhanO promoted tradeO encouraged
merchants (Indian and foreign) to carry on trade in Bengal
O did not allow French and British merchants to fortify factories in Chandernagore and Calcutta
BengalO Nawabs of Bengal –
could not understand the ulterior motives of the British trading company
O Nawabs – overconfident about their abilities and underestimated the power of the British
BengalO Army – no
reorganization and weak
O Corruption – bribes – high ranking officials
O Happy hunting ground for British to fulfill their aggressive and imperialistic ambitions
Awadh (Oudh)
OSadaat Khan - governor – laid its foundation
Saadat KhanO intelligent, efficient,
daringO good administrative
skillsO maintained law and
orderO introduced revenue
reformsO strengthened army
Safdar JungO Saadat Khan’s
nephewO Brought about
stability, peace, prosperity
Shuja – ud - DaulahO Safdar Jung’s sonO Maintained peace and
economic prosperityO Growth of refined and
distinct Laknavi culture
O Lucknow – capital city – centre for creative and performing arts, literature and architecture
HyderabadO Founded by
Mughal viceroy of the Deccan – Nizam – ul – Mulk – Asaf Jah – 1724
O Wars of succession after his death – soft target for British and French companies
Nizam – ul – Mulk Asaf Jah
O did not officially declare himself independent
O ruled Hyderabad like an independent ruler
O established an efficient administrative system
O removed corruption from the revenue system
O promoted tradeO protected the state
from internal and external threats
The CarnaticO One of the subahs of DeccanO Initially – under the control of
Nizam of HyderabadO Nawab of Carnatic - freed
himself from Nizam’s control – established hereditary rule
O Wars of succession, political instability – opportunity for European trading companies to interfere in its internal affairs – make territorial, commercial and financial gains
MysoreO 17th century – collapse of
powerful Vijaynagar empire – rise of a number of independent kingdoms – wars
O Mysore – remained independent – inspite of repeated attacks
O 18th century – Hyder Ali – leader of Mysore – one of the most powerful kingdoms on the south
Hyder AliO exceptional qualities and
abilitiesO rose from ordinary soldier
to commander – merit and determination
O made Mysore a prosperous and powerful state
O dangerous rival of English East India Company in the South
Tipu Sultan O Hyder Ali’s son – a worthy
successor O Introduced many reforms
to overhaul and reorganize administrative machinery
O Modernised armyO Strengthened economy –
encouraging agriculture, trade, industry
O Serious challenge to British power
The RajputsO principal Rajput states –
Jaipur (Amber), Jodhpur (Marwar), Udaipur (Mewar) – took advantage of declining Mughal power – asserted independence
O No unity – did not consolidate their position
O Made no efforts to establish Rajput empire on debris of Mughal empire
O Followed individual goals, interests – divergent and conflicting
The RajputsO Indulged in petty
quarrelsO Followed the tradition
of court intrigues, conspiracy, treachery, corruption from the Mughal courts
O Became vulnerable to the selfish designs of the English East India Company
Raja Sawai Jai SinghO ruler of AmberO Interest in
astronomy – Jantar Mantar
O founded Jaipur - scientifically planned
O social reformer – prevent sati, female infanticide
The Sikh kingdom O Guru Govind Singh - tenth and
last Sikh guru – military brotherhood of Sikhs – ‘Khalsa’
O Peace loving Sikhs - martial spirit – helped in the struggle against the persecution of the Mughals
O Invasion of Nadir Shah, Ahmad Shah Abdali – weakened Mughal control – Sikhs moved in – controlled Jammu and Kashmir – last decades of 18th century
The Sikh kingdomO Loose confederacy of 12 misls
or groups - each misl governed by a chief - Ranjit Singh – one chief
O Ranjit Singh – a born leader – brought all Sikh chiefs west of Satluj - under his control – master of Punjab – end of 18th century
O 1809 – signed treaty of perpetual friendship with Lord Minto – Governor General of English East India Company
The Sikh kingdomO Treaty of Amritsar – accepted
Satluj river – boundary between Sikh kingdom and British territories and British promised not to interfere with the affairs of the Sikh kingdom
O Ranjit Singh conquered more territories in north and west
O 1839 – death of Ranjit Singh – master of powerful kingdom – Khyber Pass in the north to Sindh in the south