Mughal Empire and Foreign Invasions

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Questions and Answers

Who established the independent kingdom of Mysore in the 18th century?

Chikka Krishna Raj established the independent kingdom of Mysore.

What significant military conflict did Hyder Ali win against the British?

Hyder Ali won the First Anglo-Mysore War in 1769.

What title was given to Tipu Sultan, and why?

Tipu Sultan was called the 'Tiger of Mysore' for his fierce resistance against the British.

What inspired Shivaji Maharaj to seek freedom for the Maratha people?

Shivaji was inspired by his spiritual guide, Guru Randas, who emphasized the importance of swaraj or freedom. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the first Peshwa and what role did he play in the Maratha empire?

Balaji Vishwanath was the first Peshwa, helping to establish the office and aiding king Sahu. Signup and view all the answers

What happened at the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761?

The Marathas were defeated by Ahmad Shah Abdali at the Third Battle of Panipat. Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the treaty signed by the Marathas with the Mughal emperor in 1751?

The treaty allowed the Marathas to collect chauth from Punjab and Sind in exchange for protecting the Mughal Empire. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Shivaji's escape from imprisonment in Agra.

Shivaji escaped imprisonment by concealing himself and his son in baskets filled with sweets intended for distribution. Signup and view all the answers

Which region did Shivaji's kingdom encompass by the time of his death in 1680?

Shivaji's kingdom included areas from the Konkan to parts of Gujarat and the Deccan Plateau. Signup and view all the answers

Who were the main adversaries of Hyder Ali during his rule?

Hyder Ali was constantly at war with the Marathas and the nizam of Hyderabad. Signup and view all the answers

What major invasions weakened the Mughal Empire in the 18th century?

The invasions by Nadir Shah in 1739 and Ahmad Shah Abdali throughout the 1750s significantly weakened the Mughal Empire. Signup and view all the answers

What were the jagirdari and mansabdari systems implemented by Akbar?

The jagirdari system involved granting land (jagir) to military officers, while the mansabdari system assigned ranks (mansabs) based on military capabilities. Signup and view all the answers

How did the foreign powers contribute to the decline of the Mughal Empire?

Foreign powers like the British, Portuguese, Dutch, and French exploited internal chaos and had superior military technology, undermining Mughal authority. Signup and view all the answers

Who established the semi-independent kingdom of Hyderabad, and what was his title?

Chin Qilich Khan established the kingdom of Hyderabad and held the title of nizam-ul-mulk. Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of Lucknow during the rule of the Nawabs of Awadh?

Lucknow became a cultural center known for Urdu shayari, music, and dance under the rule of the Nawabs of Awadh. Signup and view all the answers

What did Murshid Quli Khan achieve as the governor of Bengal?

Murshid Quli Khan expanded his territory by adding Bihar and Orissa and shifted the capital to Murshidabad. Signup and view all the answers

What role did the Sikhs play in the decline of Mughal power in Punjab?

The Sikhs, led by figures like Guru Gobind Singh and Banda Bahadur, resisted Mughal authority and eventually formed a strong empire. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the prominent Rajput ruler during the decline of the Mughal Empire, and what city did he establish?

Raja Sawai Jai Singh was the notable Rajput ruler, and he founded the city of Jaipur. Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome for the Rohillas during their conflicts with Awadh and the Marathas?

The Rohillas were eventually defeated by the combined forces of the British and Awadh in 1774. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Jantar Mantar, and who established it?

The Jantar Mantar is a set of astronomical observatories established by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh. Signup and view all the answers

What significant event occurred during the rule of the Nawab of the Carnatic in 1765?

The Nawab of the Carnatic became independent of the Mughals in 1765. Signup and view all the answers

How did the Third Battle of Panipat affect the Mughal Empire?

The Third Battle of Panipat in 1761 resulted in a decisive defeat for the Marathas, further solidifying the decline of Mughal authority. Signup and view all the answers

What marked the transformation of Bengal in the 18th century under its governors?

Bengal transformed into a rich and prosperous province, which made it a primary target for British expansion. Signup and view all the answers

What impact did Aurangzeb's policies have on the Mughal Empire's stability?

Aurangzeb's policies of religious intolerance and prolonged military campaigns weakened the empire by alienating regional powers and depleting the treasury. Signup and view all the answers

How did the succession struggles after Aurangzeb's death contribute to the decline of the Mughal Empire?

The absence of a clear succession law led to bloody conflicts among potential heirs, further destabilizing the empire and empowering nobles over the weak rulers. Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of Bahadur Shah's age at the time of his ascension to the throne?

Bahadur Shah was 65 when he became emperor, rendering him virtually ineffective and limiting his ability to address the empire's significant challenges. Signup and view all the answers

In what ways did weak successors after Aurangzeb affect the Mughal Empire?

Weak successors squandered the wealth of the empire and struggled with political issues, undermining any chances for recovery or stability. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the role of nobles in the Mughal Court after Aurangzeb.

Nobles gained significant power in the absence of strong rulers, often controlling the political landscape and limiting the authority of the emperors. Signup and view all the answers

What systems did Akbar devise to maintain military power, and how were they affected after his reign?

Akbar implemented the jagirdari and mansabdari systems to support military strength, but these systems deteriorated due to the lack of effective leadership and mismanagement. Signup and view all the answers

What regional kingdoms rose in response to the decline of the Mughal Empire?

The Marathas were one of the prominent regional kingdoms that rose, capitalizing on the disintegration of Mughal control. Signup and view all the answers

How did Aurangzeb's military campaigns impact the empire's financial resources?

Aurangzeb's continuous military campaigns drained the treasury, making it difficult to pay troops and maintain the army. Signup and view all the answers

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 that led to the decline of the Mughal Empire, focusing on foreign invasions and the internal weaknesses during the later period. Key events, including the invasion by Nadir Shah, are discussed to understand their impact on the empire's stability.