Political Formations in the 18th Century

11

By

Akbar Ali

Table of Content

• Later Mughals• Independent Kingdom

– Awadh ,Bengal, Hyderabad, The Rajputs , Sikhs

• The Marathas– Shivaji Bhonsle, War, Administration ,

• Peshwas– Balaji vishwanath, Baji Rao I, Third Battle of Panipat

Later Mughals

• Decline of Mughals

• Last famous Mughal Ruler?

• 1707 Aurangzeb died

• Bahadur Shah

• Farruksiyar – was a ruler only in name.• Nadirshah , Ahmad Shah Abdali invaded Mughal Empire

Independent Kingdom

• Many regional kingdoms arose– Awadh– Bengal– Hyderabad

Awadh

• Mughal Ruler , Muhammad Shah appointed Sadat Khan the governor of Awadh.

• Sadat Khan was very strong, he suppressed the rebellions

• Luknow - Capital• He held combined office for

– Political Head ( Subdar)– Military head ( Faujdar)– Diwan ( Revenue)

Bengal

• Murhid Ali Khan –Was governor – Mughal• Later he began to rule independently• Capital – Murshidabad• Administrations

– Encouraged Agriculture– Industry, trade, – Loans were given to poor farmers– Later English captured this prosperous region .

Hyderabad

• Chin Qilich Khan was governor

• Known as “Nizamul Mulk Asaf Jah”

• Admin – – Appointed mansabdars

The Rajputs

• During the period of Aurangzeb , they revolted• Most enlightened Rajput ruler was Swami Raja

Jai Singh– Capital – Jaipur– Important for Science, Astronomy

Punjab under Sikhs

• Fought against Mughals• Sikhs became very strong under the leadership

of Guru Gobinda Singh• He Organised the Sikhs into a military group

called Khalsa

Guru Gobind Singh’s Suggestions to the people

• Kesha – hair –– It is the symbol of spirituality

• Kangha – Comb– Symbol of cleanliness

• Kara- Bracelet – Acts as a reminder to stop a person from wrong things– Etc..

Mysore

• Adayar kingdom• Haider Ali & Tippu Sulthan

– Rocket used in war

• They modernised their Army• Established arsenal at Dindigul• Constructed many roads• They fought against English

The Marathas

• Shivaji– Powerful leader– Family– Father – Shivaji Bonsle – Jija Bai – Mother– Dadaji Kondadev - Teacher

Shivaji & his War

• Guerrilla warfare• Fought against

– Bijapur– Aurangzeb

• 1674 He crowned himself as a king• Title - Chatrapati

Administration

• Ashtapradhan – Council of ministers• Peshwa – Head of council• Senapati – Commander of Army• Nyayadhish – Justice• Majumdar- Finance• Pant Sachiv – G. Secratry• Sumanta – Foreign Affaires • Mantri – Head of intelligence• Dandadhyaksha – Religious matters

Revenue

• Collected Tax• Two Types

– Chauth– Sardeshmukhi

• Chauth – ¼ of the total land revenue• Sardehsmukhi – Additional 10/1 of the land revenue.

The Peshawas

• It was position to equivalent of a modern Prime Minister

• They also ruled Maratha after Shivaji

• Important Leader – Balaji Vishwanath

• Fought against to Mughals

Important Rulers

• Baji Rao I

• Balaji Baji Rao

Successor of Balaji VishwanathConqured Malwa, Gujarath &Bundelkhand

Changed Capital from Satara to Poona

Third Battle of Panipat - 1761

• Between Maratha & Ahammad Shah Abdali

• Later Marathas failed

• Ahamad Shah returned to Afgan

• It helped English East India

Company