Colonial Roots to Independence (Part I) PDF

Colonial Roots to Independence (I) By: Dr. Huzaifa Sarfraz 4.4 million square kilometers (1.7 million sq miles) area, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, which is 10% of the Asian continent or 3.3% of the and the Maldives. world's land surface area. The Mughals!...

Colonial Roots to Independence (I) By: Dr. Huzaifa Sarfraz 4.4 million square kilometers (1.7 million sq miles) area, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, which is 10% of the Asian continent or 3.3% of the and the Maldives. world's land surface area. The Mughals!  Babur (1526-1530) Babur, after his victory in the First Battle of Panipat in 1526, established the Mughal Empire in India. He ruled for a short period until his death in 1530. Babur was known for his military prowess, administrative reforms, and his memoir "Baburnama."  Humayun (1530-1540, 1555-1556): Humayun, Babur's son, faced challenges to his rule, leading to his temporary exile to Persia. He regained the throne in 1555 after defeating the Sur dynasty. His rule was marked by attempts at centralized administration and cultural patronage.  Akbar the Great (1556-1605) Akbar, the son of Humayun, is considered one of the greatest Mughal emperors. His reign was characterized by religious tolerance, administrative reforms, military conquests, and the promotion of arts and culture.  Jahangir (1605-1627) Jahangir, Akbar’s son, continued his father’s policies and was known for his love of art, poetry, and literature. His rule was marked by stability and prosperity.  Shah Jahan (1628-1658) Shah Jahan, Jahangir's son, is remembered for his grand architectural projects, including the construction of the Taj Mahal. His reign was marked by wealth and cultural achievements.  Aurangzeb (1658-1707) Aurangzeb, Shah Jahan's son, is known for expanding the Mughal Empire to its greatest territorial extent. However, his reign was marked by religious intolerance and conflicts with regional powers. After Aurangzeb's death in 1707, the Mughal Empire began to decline rapidly. Subsequent emperors faced internal strife, invasions by regional powers, and a weakening of central authority.  Bahadur Shah I (1707-1712) Bahadur Shah I, also known as Shah Alam I, was the last significant Mughal emperor who could assert some level of authority. After his death, the empire saw a succession of weak rulers.  Bahadur Shah II (1837-1857) Bahadur Shah II, also known as Bahadur Shah Zafar, was the last Mughal emperor. His reign was more symbolic, as the British East India Company had de facto control over much of India. He became associated with the Indian Rebellion of 1857, which marked the end of the Mughal Empire.  Socio-Political Conditions Centralized system of governance with a strong autocratic rule by the Mughal emperors. The empire was ethnically and culturally diverse, with various regions having distinct identities and traditions. The Mughal administration was a mix of Persian and Indian elements, and the society was organized based on the principles of the caste system.  Economic Dynamics Agrarian-based economy, with agriculture being the primary source of revenue. The empire was known for its flourishing trade and commerce, especially with Europe, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia. There was a well-developed system of taxation, and the revenue collected from the provinces was a significant source of income for the empire.  Cultural Environment The Mughal era was known for its rich cultural and artistic contributions, especially in the fields of art, architecture, literature, and music. Persian was the official language of the Mughal court, and the empire saw the patronage of artists, poets, and scholars. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ryu2NwOiVNk 1. From which ruler the fall started? 2. What were the main reasons? Arrival of East India Company 1488- A sea route established Between Europe and Eastern countries. 1600- British East India Company Emerged with chartered of 15 years Monopoly. 1608- Entered in the subcontinent. 1615- Emperor Jahangir allowed the function of EIC. 1647- 23 factories in the region  Farrukhsiyar Mughal King (1713 to 1719 ) Exempted all the taxes of EIC in 1717.  Farrukhsiyar Mughal King (1713 to 1719 ) Exempted all the taxes of EIC in 1717. Siraj ud din Daula as Nawab of Bengal in 1756 called for the taxes and restrictions over construction of castles. Results of the Battle of Plassey The victory provided the British East India Company with a strong foothold for further expansion across the subcontinent. Political manipulation and diplomacy by the British by gaining the support of Mir Jafar, a key nobleman in the Nawab's court, who later became the Nawab under British influence. (served as the commander of the Bengali army under Siraj ud-Daulah) British imposed heavy taxes and tariffs on trade, benefiting from Bengal's prosperous trade and agriculture. British continuously encroaching upon Indian territories, leading to discontent among local rulers. Mir Jafar eventually ran into disputes with the East India Company and attempted to form an alliance with the Dutch East India Company instead. The British eventually defeated the Dutch at Chinsura and overthrew Mir Jafar, replacing him with Mir Qasim. British East India Company imposed heavy taxes and economic policies that exploited the resources and economy of the regions under their control. Mir Qasim, the Nawab of Bengal, was dissatisfied with the policies of the British East India Company, particularly regarding taxation and trade monopolies. The Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II was trying to regain control over his diminishing empire and sought support to assert his authority. He saw the opportunity to form a coalition against the British as a means to strengthen his position. Recognizing the common threat posed by the British East India Company, the Nawab of Awadh, Mir Qasim, and the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II formed a coalition to unite their forces against the Company. Outcome? Outcome? Decisive British Victory End of the Coalition Treaty of Allahabad (1765): Granting the Company the authority to collect revenue and administer the newly acquired territories of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa. 1857-The Decline 1857-The Decline Aligarh Movement  The Aligarh Movement 1875 The Aligarh Movement, led by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, aimed to promote modern education among Muslims and bridge the gap between the British rulers and the Muslim community. It sought to empower Muslims through education and emphasized loyalty to the British government while preserving Muslim identity. Reasons of its Formation? What it achived? Khilafat Movement The Khilafat Movement was a pan-Islamic movement in response to the dismantling of the Ottoman Caliphate by the Allied Powers after World War I. It sought to protect the caliphate and garnered widespread support from Muslims across India, including cooperation from the Indian National Congress. The movement was an early example of Hindu-Muslim unity in the political arena. The Movement gradually lost momentum as the British government and the Allied Powers refused to reverse their decisions regarding the Ottoman Caliphate. The caliphate was eventually abolished in 1924 by the Turkish government under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and the Khilafat Movement subsided.