18th Century India: Rise of Lucknow

• The 18th century in India is often viewed as a period of decline between the Mughal Empire's collapse and the rise of the British
• However, recent research suggests a more nuanced picture of regional vibrancy and change
• Lucknow, led by Asaf-ud-Daula in 1775, became a buzzing capital, attracting diverse people
• Asaf-ud-Daula moved the court from Faizabad to Lucknow to avoid his mother's influence

Historical Perspectives

• Traditional views saw the 18th century as a decline, while revisionist historians emphasize continuity and regional dynamism
• Cambridge historian Christopher Bayly argues for understanding why earlier Asian order features persisted despite global changes
• Some historians see European presence from the 16th-17th centuries as impacting the formation of political entities

Demise of Mughal Empire

• In 1707, the Mughal Empire reached its peak but collapsed within 40 years after Aurangzeb's death
• The Mughal system relied on negotiation among nobles and aristocrats, with the emperor as the central figure
• Akbar's centralized administration linked bureaucracy and military aristocracy, but depended on balance
• The mansabdari system granted ranks and jagirs, fostering military strength but also competition among ethnic groups
• Aurangzeb's Deccan wars strained the treasury and led to conflicts among Irani, Turani, and Hindustani factions
• Jat revolts and Maratha/Sikh challenges further weakened Mughal authority during this period
• Bahadur Shah tried to manage the decline, but the Jat and Sikh revolts put question to Mughal authority

Regional Power Shifts

• The Sikhs transformed with leadership from Banda Bahadur
• Zamindars asserted independence as central power waned
• Bengal and Awadh's revenue officers became independent rulers
• The Prime Minister Nizamu'l Mulk Asaf Jah moved to Hyderabad in 1724, establishing autonomous rule
• Local rulers gained support from Hindu and Jain moneylenders/merchants solidifying independence

Invasions and Internal Strife

• Persian invasion under Nadir Shah (1738-39) hurt Mughal prestige and caused looting in Delhi
• Afghan raids under Ahmad Shah Abdali led to conquer of Punjab and Delhi
• Mughals/Marathas against Afghans in the Battle of Panipat(1761) resulted in defeat
• Low-origin figures gathered forces, revealing subordinate members of society's frustration and aspirations

Explaining the Decline

• Early historians attributed the fall of the Mughal rule to Aurangzeb's religious bigotry, weakness of later rulers
• Satish Chandra's 'jagirdari crisis' theory points to structural weaknesses regarding revenue collection, disputes as the main cause
• Irfan Habib notes endemic state oppression and peasant resistance to explain economic crisis which contributed to decline
• Habib notes high revenue demands to maintain army, made the mansabdari system unfunctional
• This resulted in competition among jagirdars, zamindars and cultivators

Societal Impact

• Zamindars found common ground with peasants against imperial admin
• Landholders possessed local power and prestige
• Peasant-zamindar combine threatened Mughal power
• Society had a lot of problems, societal crisis was responsible for the decline

Revisionist Perspectives

• Recent studies emphasize regions of growth and vibrancy as well ad revisions
• Tapan Raychaudhuri said regions of growth and vibrancy
• These views highlight slow population growht/ urbanisation
• Provinces made claims, provinces were being controlled

Economic Factors

• Successor states contributed to the fall of local powers
• Banking and lending played big part in this
• Landlords and officials had constant competition in local economic matters

Shifting Alliances

• Shivaji's resistance viewed as a 'Hindu' challenge to 'Muslim' aggression
• Alliances proceeded from religious motives because they were neither permanent or fixed

Provincial Governors

• Imperial governors joined forces, all became hereditary, carving independent niches
• Weak rulers caused rebellions with foreign invasions
• Elites of lowly orgin wanted to be more
• All ties broken between Mughal states

Regional Assertions

• Political crisis in Moghul empire also included political forces
• Two of the provinces showed both economical interest
• Central power had no control over new flourishing economic surplus production
• Provincial rulers seeked political support and legitimacy

Social mobility

• Multiple principles of authority to manage well by accommodating shifts

Banaras

• Levels were divided to four sections, from royal to local
• Royal government never agreed/ fully alligned with social classes

Conclusion

• Scholars look at central powers, focus on political power as the base
• Early historians view Aurangzeb as culprit for issues
• Most see both sides of the argument, there is really no complete answer for everything
• Some think there was very limited success with success of political change

Land of Rajashtan

• Kings and power, but with high costs and social stress, lack of resources
• Balance between military power, needed to support

Mighty Marathas

• Marathas became soliders in the army to have power
• They helped the deccan sultanates to make new lands

Maharashtra

• All places were very well integrated
• Leaders were divided to class, caste, and authority
• The power shift caused an easy political gain under leadership

Maratha

• The ruler did not had complete and symbolic power
• Claims, they would plunder
• After son's death, his power was very divided

Shivaji

• Gave refuge to imperial officer
• Local rules, special rules remain
• Deshmukhs loyal , won day with Balajay Vishnath

Indian state finance.

• Shahu had many members
• He ordered new members to add to his campaign
• Peshws were very successful and power consolidate by prestiage

Peshwa rule.

• Established all social
• Political structure formed to make all safe

Internal division.

• Peshwa and chiefs had political problems
• Baji Rao came to power after, all changed and went to war
• Mughals won, territory, and power fell because this war went wrong
• Success helped with local power and all that
• Local people also help because people did, it
• Conquest with help with admin centralisation

Brahmans

• Ability help to scribe work
• Peshma got honour
• Military band
• Tax collectors were made
• Special honour of elite also had to keep in order , as such
• Bankers also gained power
• Army, and power caused growth