Rise of independent

regional powers

Rise of regional powers

Disintegration of Mughal Empire – political vacuum – filled by several independent and semi – independent regional powers – some rebelled against Mughal authority while in others the governors took advantage of the situation and asserted their independence

The MarathasOOne of the most

important regional powers

OHad power and potential to establish an all – India empire

ShahuO Shahu – grandson of Shivaji –

imprisoned by Aurangzeb – released in 1707 (after Aurangzeb’s death)

O Maratha war of succession – Shahu became the next heir with the help of Balaji Vishwanath- chief minister / Peshwa / mukh pradhan - 1713

O Became ease – loving and weak – ceremonial head – real authority – Peshwa – second phase of Maratha history – dominance of Peshwas – empire (1713 – 1818)

Balaji VishwanathO Took advantage of Mughal’s

weaknesses – important concessions – enhance power, prestige of Marathas.

O Shivaji’s territories conquered by Aurangzeb given back to Shahu.

O Right to levy chauth and sardeshmukhi from 6 Mughal provinces in the Deccan – granted to Marathas

O 1719 – Helped Sayyid brothers defeat

FarrukhsiyarMade Marathas a formidable power

Balaji VishwanathO Laid the foundations

of a hereditary, dynastic rule of Peshwas

O Succeded by his son Baji Rao I

Baji Rao IO a military genius, bold, dynamicO Maratha kingdom became an empire

– series of brilliant campaignsO Mughal provinces divided into

‘spheres of influence’O Prominent Maratha families from

Sindhia, Bhonsle, Holkar, Gaekwad – had chiefs – ruled ‘spheres of influence’

O Chiefs enjoyed maximum autonomyO Maratha confederacy – loose union

of Maratha chiefs – headed by the Peshwa

Balaji Baji RaoO father Baji Rao I - acquired

the throne at 18 yearsO Became the official head of

the Maratha empire – death of Shahu

O Poona / Pune – headquarters of the Peshwas – capital of the Maratha empire

O Continued policy of expansion – height of power and glory

O North India – the power behind the Mughal throne

Ahmad Shah AbdaliO Afghan generalO Faced the Marathas when

they conquered PunjabO Defeated the Maratha army

- Third Battle of Panipat – 1761

O Marathas failed in replacing the Mughal Empire and Afghans failed in capitalizing their victory – ideal condition for entry of English East India Company

Bengal O One of the richest provinces

of the Mughal empire

O Decline of Mughal authority – the governor of Bengal Murshid Quli Khan – paid annual tribute but tried to free himself from Mughal control – began to rule independently.

Murshid Quli KhanO excellent

administratorO exceptional

abilitiesO freed Bengal from

external and internal dangers.

O established stability, peace and prosperity

Alivardi KhanO promoted tradeO encouraged

merchants (Indian and foreign) to carry on trade in Bengal

O did not allow French and British merchants to fortify factories in Chandernagore and Calcutta

BengalO Nawabs of Bengal –

could not understand the ulterior motives of the British trading company

O Nawabs – overconfident about their abilities and underestimated the power of the British

BengalO Army – no

reorganization and weak

O Corruption – bribes – high ranking officials

O Happy hunting ground for British to fulfill their aggressive and imperialistic ambitions

Awadh (Oudh)

OSadaat Khan - governor – laid its foundation

Saadat KhanO intelligent, efficient,

daringO good administrative

skillsO maintained law and

orderO introduced revenue

reformsO strengthened army

Safdar JungO Saadat Khan’s

nephewO Brought about

stability, peace, prosperity

Shuja – ud - DaulahO Safdar Jung’s sonO Maintained peace and

economic prosperityO Growth of refined and

distinct Laknavi culture

O Lucknow – capital city – centre for creative and performing arts, literature and architecture

HyderabadO Founded by

Mughal viceroy of the Deccan – Nizam – ul – Mulk – Asaf Jah – 1724

O Wars of succession after his death – soft target for British and French companies

Nizam – ul – Mulk Asaf Jah

O did not officially declare himself independent

O ruled Hyderabad like an independent ruler

O established an efficient administrative system

O removed corruption from the revenue system

O promoted tradeO protected the state

from internal and external threats

The CarnaticO One of the subahs of DeccanO Initially – under the control of

Nizam of HyderabadO Nawab of Carnatic - freed

himself from Nizam’s control – established hereditary rule

O Wars of succession, political instability – opportunity for European trading companies to interfere in its internal affairs – make territorial, commercial and financial gains

MysoreO 17th century – collapse of

powerful Vijaynagar empire – rise of a number of independent kingdoms – wars

O Mysore – remained independent – inspite of repeated attacks

O 18th century – Hyder Ali – leader of Mysore – one of the most powerful kingdoms on the south

Hyder AliO exceptional qualities and

abilitiesO rose from ordinary soldier

to commander – merit and determination

O made Mysore a prosperous and powerful state

O dangerous rival of English East India Company in the South

Tipu Sultan O Hyder Ali’s son – a worthy

successor O Introduced many reforms

to overhaul and reorganize administrative machinery

O Modernised armyO Strengthened economy –

encouraging agriculture, trade, industry

O Serious challenge to British power

The RajputsO principal Rajput states –

Jaipur (Amber), Jodhpur (Marwar), Udaipur (Mewar) – took advantage of declining Mughal power – asserted independence

O No unity – did not consolidate their position

O Made no efforts to establish Rajput empire on debris of Mughal empire

O Followed individual goals, interests – divergent and conflicting

The RajputsO Indulged in petty

quarrelsO Followed the tradition

of court intrigues, conspiracy, treachery, corruption from the Mughal courts

O Became vulnerable to the selfish designs of the English East India Company

Raja Sawai Jai SinghO ruler of AmberO Interest in

astronomy – Jantar Mantar

O founded Jaipur - scientifically planned

O social reformer – prevent sati, female infanticide

The Sikh kingdom O Guru Govind Singh - tenth and

last Sikh guru – military brotherhood of Sikhs – ‘Khalsa’

O Peace loving Sikhs - martial spirit – helped in the struggle against the persecution of the Mughals

O Invasion of Nadir Shah, Ahmad Shah Abdali – weakened Mughal control – Sikhs moved in – controlled Jammu and Kashmir – last decades of 18th century

The Sikh kingdomO Loose confederacy of 12 misls

or groups - each misl governed by a chief - Ranjit Singh – one chief

O Ranjit Singh – a born leader – brought all Sikh chiefs west of Satluj - under his control – master of Punjab – end of 18th century

O 1809 – signed treaty of perpetual friendship with Lord Minto – Governor General of English East India Company

The Sikh kingdomO Treaty of Amritsar – accepted

Satluj river – boundary between Sikh kingdom and British territories and British promised not to interfere with the affairs of the Sikh kingdom

O Ranjit Singh conquered more territories in north and west

O 1839 – death of Ranjit Singh – master of powerful kingdom – Khyber Pass in the north to Sindh in the south