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Questions and Answers
Hyder Ali established the independent kingdom of Mysore in the beginning of the 18th century.
Hyder Ali established the independent kingdom of Mysore in the beginning of the 18th century.
False
Aurangzeb was known for his policy of religious tolerance.
Aurangzeb was known for his policy of religious tolerance.
False
Tipu Sultan was known as the Tiger of Mysore.
Tipu Sultan was known as the Tiger of Mysore.
True
The decline of the Mughal Empire began after the reign of Aurangzeb.
The decline of the Mughal Empire began after the reign of Aurangzeb.
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The Marathas under Shivaji played no significant role in the history of 18th century India.
The Marathas under Shivaji played no significant role in the history of 18th century India.
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The nobles of the Mughal Court became weaker after the death of Aurangzeb.
The nobles of the Mughal Court became weaker after the death of Aurangzeb.
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Shivaji began his military conquests at the age of 19.
Shivaji began his military conquests at the age of 19.
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The Marathas signed a treaty with the Mughal emperor in 1751 to control the state of Gujarat.
The Marathas signed a treaty with the Mughal emperor in 1751 to control the state of Gujarat.
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Bahadur Shah was only 25 years old when he ascended to the throne.
Bahadur Shah was only 25 years old when he ascended to the throne.
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Ahmad Shah Abdali defeated the Marathas in the First Battle of Panipat in 1761.
Ahmad Shah Abdali defeated the Marathas in the First Battle of Panipat in 1761.
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Aurangzeb's wars expanded the Mughal Empire's treasury.
Aurangzeb's wars expanded the Mughal Empire's treasury.
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The jagirdari and mansabdari systems were key to the military power of the Mughal Empire.
The jagirdari and mansabdari systems were key to the military power of the Mughal Empire.
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Shivaji and his son Sambhaji successfully escaped imprisonment by hiding in baskets of sweets.
Shivaji and his son Sambhaji successfully escaped imprisonment by hiding in baskets of sweets.
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There was a clear law of succession in the Mughal Empire after Aurangzeb.
There was a clear law of succession in the Mughal Empire after Aurangzeb.
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The Maratha kingdom reached its peak during the reign of Balaji Vishwanath.
The Maratha kingdom reached its peak during the reign of Balaji Vishwanath.
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The term 'chauth' refers to a type of tax where a quarter of the total produce was demanded from farmers.
The term 'chauth' refers to a type of tax where a quarter of the total produce was demanded from farmers.
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The Marathas were one of the regional powers that emerged during the decline of the Mughal Empire.
The Marathas were one of the regional powers that emerged during the decline of the Mughal Empire.
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Sahu became king with the help of Balaji Baji Rao.
Sahu became king with the help of Balaji Baji Rao.
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Nadir Shah invaded India in 1739 during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar.
Nadir Shah invaded India in 1739 during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar.
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The jagirdari and mansabdari systems were military systems designed by Akbar.
The jagirdari and mansabdari systems were military systems designed by Akbar.
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The Asaf Jahi dynasty ruled Hyderabad in a completely independent manner from the Mughal Empire.
The Asaf Jahi dynasty ruled Hyderabad in a completely independent manner from the Mughal Empire.
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The city of Jaipur was founded by Raja Sawai Jai Singh.
The city of Jaipur was founded by Raja Sawai Jai Singh.
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The British defeated Sirajuddaulah in the Battle of Plassey in 1757.
The British defeated Sirajuddaulah in the Battle of Plassey in 1757.
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Banda Bahadur continued the fight against the Mughals after Guru Gobind Singh's execution.
Banda Bahadur continued the fight against the Mughals after Guru Gobind Singh's execution.
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The Carnatic was annexed by the British after the death of the 12th nawab.
The Carnatic was annexed by the British after the death of the 12th nawab.
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Ahmad Shah Abdali was the successor to the Persian throne after Nadir Shah.
Ahmad Shah Abdali was the successor to the Persian throne after Nadir Shah.
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Murshid Quli Khan added Punjab to his territory while governing Bengal.
Murshid Quli Khan added Punjab to his territory while governing Bengal.
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The jagirdars were paid in cash for their services in the Mughal army.
The jagirdars were paid in cash for their services in the Mughal army.
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Maharaja Sawai Singh built astronomical observatories known as Jantar Mantar.
Maharaja Sawai Singh built astronomical observatories known as Jantar Mantar.
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Punjab experienced increased Mughal power after the invasions of Nadir Shah.
Punjab experienced increased Mughal power after the invasions of Nadir Shah.
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The Rohillas carved the kingdom of Rohilkhand under the leadership of Muhammad Khan Bangash.
The Rohillas carved the kingdom of Rohilkhand under the leadership of Muhammad Khan Bangash.
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Study Notes
Decline of the Mughal Empire
- The Mughal Empire disintegrated due to internal weaknesses and external pressures, particularly during Aurangzeb's reign.
- Aurangzeb's policies included religious intolerance and military expansion, leading to conflicts with regional powers like the Rajputs, Marathas, and Sikhs.
- Economic strain from continuous wars resulted in a demoralized military unable to defend against invasions.
Weak Successors and Court Dynamics
- Successors of Aurangzeb were largely ineffective, leading to factionalism and power struggles within the Mughal court.
- Significant rulers after Aurangzeb included Bahadur Shah, Jahandar Shah, Farrukhsiyar, Muhammad Shah, and Bahadur Shah II (Zafar).
- The lack of a clear succession law led to bloody conflicts for the throne.
Military and Administrative Structures
- The jagirdari and mansabdari systems, designed for military funding through land grants, deteriorated under later rulers, weakening military strength.
- The Mughal military lacked the naval and artillery strength required to repel foreign invasions effectively.
Foreign Invasions
- Nadir Shah's invasion in 1739 and subsequent attacks by Ahmad Shah Abdali severely weakened Mughal authority.
- Ahmad Shah Abdali's victories, including the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761, further dismantled Mughal control over India.
Emergence of Regional Kingdoms
- As Mughal authority waned, various provinces began to assert independence:
- Hyderabad: Established by Nizam-ul-Mulk, maintaining semi-independence while keeping the Marathas at bay.
- Awadh: Governed by Saadat Khan, became a center for culture under his successor Safdarjung.
- Bengal: Governed by Murshid Quli Khan, later fell to British control after the Battle of Plassey in 1757.
- Punjab: Dominated by Sikhs who established a powerful empire under Ranjit Singh after resisting Mughal power.
- Rajputs: Many kingdoms declared independence; Raja Sawai Jai Singh was notable for founding Jaipur.
- Rohilkhand: Established by the Rohillas, gained political influence but faced British and Awadh combined forces.
- Carnatic: Became semi-independent under Nawab Ali Khan Wallajah before British annexation.
- Mysore: Under Hyder Ali and later Tipu Sultan, who modernized the army and resisted British expansion.
The Marathas
- The Maratha Empire, founded by Shivaji in the 17th century, grew significantly amidst Mughal decline.
- Shivaji, inspired by the concept of Swaraj, expanded his territory, resisting Mughal control effectively.
- The ultimate decline of the Marathas occurred post-Third Battle of Panipat (1761), leading to diminished power against British encroachment.
Key Figures and Events
- Shivaji Maharaj: Established the Maratha kingdom and inspired a resistance against Mughal oppression.
- Balaji Vishwanath: Strengthened Maratha power as peshwa; tax collection rights legitimized their authority.
- Baji Rao I and Balaji Baji Rao: Expanded and secured Maratha dominance, leading to temporary control over Delhi.
Conclusion
- The 18th century in India was marked by the fragmentation of Mughal authority and the ascendancy of regional powers.
- The interplay of military conflicts and administrative failures laid the groundwork for the eventual British dominance in India, reshaping its political landscape.
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Description
This quiz explores the factors leading to the decline of the Mughal Empire, particularly during the reign of Aurangzeb and the challenges faced by his successors. Understand the military and administrative structures that weakened under ineffective leadership and internal strife. Test your knowledge on this significant period in Indian history.
