Later Mughals and Advent of Europeans

Ancient and Medival History

Title

45:30

Video Progress

8 of 24 completed

Notes Progress

5 of 15 completed

MCQs Progress

38 of 100 completed

Subjective Progress

8 of 20 completed

Continue to Next Topic

Indian Economy - Understanding the basics of Indian economic system

Next Topic

Download PDF

Later Mughals

Later mughals

Bahadur SHAH (1707-12)

After the death of Aurangzeb, Muaazam emerged victorious in the war of succession.
Muaazam ascended the throne with the name of Bahadur Shah-I in 1707 at the age of 67.
In the lastalays of Aurangzeb, war of succession broke among his three surviving sons, Prince Muaaza, Muhammad Azam and Kam Bakhsh.
Muaazam defeated and killed Muhammad Azam at Jajua (18 june, 1707) and Kam Bakhash near Hyderabad (13th Jan,1709)
Bahadur Shah-I released the Marathea Prince, Shahu who had been in Mughal captivity since 1689 and allowed him to return to Maharashtra.
Bahadur Shah-I defeated Sikh leader Banda Bahadur at Lohgrah and Mughal forces reoccupied Sirhind in January 1711.
Bahadur Shah-I died on 27 Feb. 1712.
Sidney Owen writes, “ He (Bahadur Shah I ) was the last emperor of whom anything favourable can be said henceforth rapid and complete abasement and practical dissolutions of the empire are typified in the Incapacity and political insignificance of its sovereign.”
Jaziya was withdrawn which had been impased by Aurangzeb.
Independence of Mewar and marwar was acknowledged.
He tried to consolidate the rebellious Sikhs by making peace with Guru Govind Singh and giving him a high mansab.
He made peace with the Bundela Chief, Chhatrasal and the Jat chief Churaman joined him in the campaign against Banda Bahadur.
There was deterioration in the field of administration. The Mughal historian Khafi Khan gives him the title of Shah-I-bekhabar.
He granted the Maratha sardars the Sardeshmukhi but failed to grant them Chauth.Thus, they were not fully satisfied.
He did not recognize Shahu as the rightful Maratha king.
During his reign the remnants of the Royal treasury amunting in 1707 to same Rs. 3 crores of repees, were exhausted.

Jahandar shah (1712-13)

He won the war of succession because he was supported by Zulfiqar Khan, the most powerful noble of the time.
He was dominated by his mistress Lal Kunwar. She imitated the style of Nur Jahan.
Administration was virtually in the hands of Zulfiqar Khan.
Jahandar Shah was the first later Mughal ruler to get the throne with the help of nobles.
The policies of Aurangzeb were reversed.
Jai singh of Amber as given the title of Mirza Raja Sawai and appointed governor of Gujarat.
Shahu was granted Chauth and Sardeshmukhi of Deccan on the condition that these would be collected by Mughal officials and would be handed over to the Marathas.
Zulfiqar Khan started the evil practive of Ijarah or revenue farming.
Zulfiqar Khan pacified Churaman jat and Chhatrasal Bundela. Only towards Banda and the Sikhas did continue he old policy of suppression.
Zulfiqar Khan made an attempt to improve the finances of the Empire by checking the reckless growth of jagirs and offices.
During the reign of Jahandar Shah, violence and debauchery had in full way. Kanwar Khan says about his reign: the owl dwelt in the eagle;s nest and the crow took the place of the nightingale.
Jahandar shah’s reign came to an end in Januay 1713, when he was defeated at Agra by Farrukh Sayyid with the help of Saiyid brothers, Abdullah Khan and Hussain Ali Khan.

Farrukh shiyar (1713-19)

Decisive role of Sayyid brothers in the succession of Farrukh Shiyar.
Sayyid brothers were known as King makers.
Sayyid brothers dominated mughal court and empire from 1713 to 1719, the elder brother, Abdullah khan was wazir and younger, Hussain Ali Khan was Mur Bakshi.
Sayyid brother belongd to Hindustani group of mughal nobility.
Chin Qilich Khan Bahadur, better known as Nizam-ul-mulk was appointed governor of the six provinces of Deccan.
Zulfiqar Khan was treacherously murdered on Farrukh Shiyar’s order
Banda Bahadur, the Sikh leader was captured and execeeted in 1716.
In 1719 Hussain Ali made a settlement with Balaji Vishwanath by which he made many concessions to Marathas for their active armed assistance in the struggle for supremacy going on in Delhi.
Sayyid brothers adopted the policy of religious tolerance. They abolished the jaziya and pilgrim tax from a number of places.
Beginning of struggle between the emperor and Sayyad brothers for Power.
He remained a plaything in the hands of the English hand the Marathas.
In 1719, the Sayyid brothers deposed Farrukh Shiyar and killed him
After Farrukh Shiyar , Sayyid brothers placed Rafi-ud-darajat on the throne but he died soon of consumption within 4 months.
Then they enthroned Rafi-ud-daulah with the title of Shah Jahan II, but he too died soon.

Muhammad shah (1719-48)

Got throne with the help of Sayyid brothers in September 1719.
Original name-Raushan Akhtar.
He was the most pleasure loving ruler and is therefore called “Rangila”
Conspiracy was hatched by the nobles and emperor against the Sayyid brothers and they were murdered in 1720.
Nizam-ul-mulk became his wazir in 1722 and made a vigorous attempt to reform the administration.
Nizam-ul-Mulk relinquished his post of wazir in 1724 and marched to south to found the state of Hyderabad in the Deccan.
The Jats under Badan Singh established temselves in the districts of Agra and Mathura and founded the Jat state of Bharatpur.
In the Gagatic Doab, the Rohilas of Katihar and Bangash Pathan of Farrukhabad established their independent kingdoms.
His (Nizam-ul-mulk;s) departure was symbolic of the flight of loyalty and virtue from the Empire”.
Muhammad Shah’s long reign of nearly 30 years (1719-48) was the last chance of saving the Empire.
Nadir Shah, the Napoleon of Iran invaded India and Inflicted a Crushing defeat on Mughal army at Karnal on Feb 13,1739.
Nadir Shah captured Delhi and Muhammad shah was imprisoned. He plundered Delhi.
Nadir Shah’s total plunder has been estimated at Rs. 70 crores. He also carried away the famous Koh-I-Noor diamond and the jewel studded peacock Throne of Shah Jahan.
Nadir Shah invaded India twice during the reign of Rangila. It was during his second invasion that Muhammad Shah died.
Rustam Ali, the author of Tarikh-I-Hind says that “Muhammad Shah was negligent of his duties, even he did not know of he had any duties to perform.”

Ahmad shah (1748-54)

He was born to Muhammad Shah through a dancing girl, Udham Bai.
In his reign Udham Bai and her paramour, Javed Khan, Became the pivot of administration.
Safdar Jang, the Nawab of Awadh became the Wazir of the Empire.
His wazir (after Safdar Jang), Imad-ul-Mulk blinded him and placed Alamgir-II on the throne.
Ahmad Shah Abdali invaded India thrice during his reign.

Alamgir-ii (1754-59)

Ahmad Shah Abdali invaded fourth time in his reign in 1755.
The Marathas were invited by his wazir to save guard the empire against Abdali.
In 1759 he was murdered by his wazir, Imad-ul-Mulk.

Shah alam ii (1759-1806)

He was the son of Alamgir-II and his real name was Ali Gauhar.
Shah Alam remained in exile for twelve years until 1772, having being afraid of his wazir.
Along with Mir Qasim and Shuja-ul-daulah he was defeated by English at the battle of Buxar in 1764.
He lived for several years at Allahbada as a pensioner of the East India Company
He regained the throne of Delhi with the help of Maratha sardar Mahadji Scindhia in 1772.
British under LordLake captured Delhi and Agra in 1803
He was killed by Ghulam Qadir in 1806
English concluded treaty of Allahabad (1765) by which British got Diwani rights of Begal, Bihar and Orissa in return Shah Alam-II was paid an annual pension of Rs. 26 Laksh.
During his exile prince Shah Jahan-II was placed on the throne of Dehli.
Ahmad Shah Abdali crossed India for the fifth time, leading to the third battle of Panipat.
During the post panipat period, Najib Khan Ruhela, until his death in 1770 was the dictator of Delhi.
Shah Alam II was blinded by his wazir in 1788.

Akbar ii (1806-37)

He conferred upon Mohan Rai, the title of Raja and sent him to England to plead with the British crown to increase his sum of pension in 1833.

Bahadur shah ii (1837-1857)

He was the last Mughal emperor.
He was also known as Bahadur Shah Zafar.
He took part in the revolt of 1857 and deported to Rangoon where he died in 1862.

Marathas

Shivaji

A.D. 1627 or 1630: Shivaji was born in the hill-fort of Shivner near Junnar. 1646:
Shivaji captured the fortress of Rajgarh in 1647:
Death of Dadaji Khonddev, Shivaji’s guardian. January, 1656:
Shivaji annexed Javali. A.D. 1657: For the first time, Shivaji came into conflict with the Mughals when he raided Ahmadnagar and Junnar, and even looted the city of Junnar. 1659:
Sultan of Bijapur sent a force under Afzal Khan “to bring back the rebel (Shivaji) dead or alive”. April 15, 1663:
Shivaji entered into Shaista Khan’s appartments at Poona, slew his son, Abul Fath, a captain, forty attendants and six women of his harem. January 16-20, 1664:
Shivaji attacked and sacked Surat. January 22, 1665: Shivaji concluded the treaty of Purandhar with Jai Singh, whereby he ceded to the Mughals twenty-three of his forts, retaining only twelve for him. May 9, 1666:
Shivaji and Shambhuji reached Agra. November 30, 1666: Shivaji reached back his home via. Allahabad, Banares, Gaya and Telingana.
Aurangzeb granted him the title of Raja and a Jagir in Berar, and raised his son (Shambhaji) to the rank of 5000.
October, 1670: Shivaji sacked Surat. 1672: Shivaji demanded Chauth from Surat. June 16, 1674:
Shivaji formally crowned himself at Raigarh, and assumed the title of Chhatrapati. 1677:
Shivaji conquered Jinji, Vellore, and the adjoining districts.
April 14, 1680: Shivaji died.

Adminsitration

Empire was divided into two parts Swaraj (own kingdom) and other parts of Mughal empire which paid him Chauth.
Swaraj was also known as Muk-I-qadim ( old territory)
Raja Vyauahara Kosha, book on his administration, prepared by experts panel under Raghunath Pandit Hanumante.
His council of ministers was called Ashtapradhan.
Each minister being directly responsible to the ruler.
Shivaji often levied chauthy and sardeshmukhi on the neighbouring tracts, which were completely at his mercy, and also on the Mughal provinces as well as some districts of the Bijapur kingdom. Chauth amounted to one-fourth of thegovernment revenue (it was nothing but a military contribution). The sardeshmukhi was an additional levy of 10 per cent; which Shivaji demanded on the bases of his claim as the hereditary Sardeshmukh (chief headman) of Maharashtra.
Customs duty at Surat was 3-1/2% on all imports and exports of goods and 2% on money either gold or silver. (In Mughal period). No merchant was allowed to “carry any quantity of silver” out of the country.

Shivaji’s officers

Shivaji was helped by a council of eight ministers-the ashtapradhan-whose functions were chief lyadvisory. The eight ministers were:
(1) The Peshwa or the Prime Minister, who had to look after the general welfare and interests of the kingdom,
(2) the Amatya or the Finance Minister, whose duty was to check and counter sign all public accounts;
(3) the Mantri, who had to preserve a daily record of the kings acts and the proceedings of his court;
(4) the sachiva or the superintendent, who was in charge of the king’s correspondence and had also to check the accounts of the mahals and paraganas;
(5) the sumat or the Foreign secretary;
(6) the Senapati or the Commander-i-chief;
(7) the Pandit Rao and Danadhyaksha or the Royal Chaplain and Almoner; and
(8) the Nyayadhisa or the Chief Justice. All the ministers, excepting the Nyayadhisa and the Pandit Rao, held military commands besides their civil duties.
Two branches of cavalry: The bargis or soldiers provided with pay and equipment by the state, and the silahdars, who equipped themselves at their own cost, and supplied the pay and equipment of the soldiers whom they brought to the service of the state.
In the cavalry, 25 troops formed a unit, placed under a havaldar, over five havaldars, one Jumladar, and over ten Jumladars one hazari,

Sambhaji(1680-1689)

War of succession between Sambhaji and Rajaram.
Sambhaji ascended the throne in 1680.
Sambhaji placed his confidence in Brahman, whom he invested with the title of Kavi-Kailash.
He gave shelter to Akbar-II, the rebellious son of Aurangzeb
Sambhaji was captured at Sangameshvar and executed in 1689

Rajaram(1689-1700)

He succeeded to throne at Raigarh but soon left for Jinji.
Mughal captured Shambhaji’s wife and son Shahu at Raigarh in 1698.
After fall of Jinji to Mughals in 1698. Rajaram fled to Vishalgrah.
Satara became his new capital after fall of Jinji.
He created new post-of Pratinidhi, thus increased the number of minister to 9.
Death of Rajaram in 1700 at Satara.

Tarabai (1700-1707)

After the death of Rajaram, the minor son Shivaji- II ascended the throne with Tarabai as regent.
Aurangabad was ravaged many times.
After the death of Aurangzeb in 1707, Shahu was released by Bahadur Shah-I. Thus a war began between Shahu and Tarabai.
In 1708 Shahu defeated Tarabai in battle of Khed.
The southern part of Maratha kindom remained with Shahuji with its capital at Kolhapur.
After the coronation of Shahu in 1708, he conferred on Balaji Vishwanath the title of Sena Karte (the army maker).
Balaji Vishwanath was a Konkani Brahman.
With balaji Vishwanath, the office of Peshwa became hereditary and Peshwas became defacto rulers of Maratha kingdom

Balaji vishwanath(1713-1720)

Became Peshwa in 1713 during the reign of Shahu.
He defeated Chandrasen Jadav.
He won over Kanhoji of Angira to the side of Shahu.
He concluded treaty with Sayyid brothers in 1719 by which Mughal emperor recognised Shahu as the king of Swaraja.
Farrukhsiyar released all family members of Shahu and allowed him to collect Chauth and Sardeshmukhi from the six Mughal provinces of Deccan.
15000 troops accompanied Hussain Ali to Delhi, with the help of Maratha troops, the Sayyid brother removed Farrukhsiyar.

Baji rao-i (1720-40)

He was considered greatest exponent of Guerrila warfare after Shivaji.
Under him the Maratha power reached its Zenith.
He preached the idea of Hindu pad padshahi.
Under him, the Maratha chiefs were assigned a territory as area of Influence, which they could administer autonomously.
The Maratha Chiefs were:
(a) Scindhia at Gwalior. (b) Bhonsle at Nagpur (c) Gaekwad at baroda. (d) Holkar at Indore (e) Peshwa at Pune.
Baji Rao defeated and expelled siddis of Jajira in 1733
He conquered Bassein and Salsette from the Protuguese in 1733.
He defeated Nizam-ul-Mulk of Hyderabad at Palkhed in 1728 and again in the battle of Bhopal in 1737.
By convention of Durai-sarai (1737) with Nizam (Hyderabad), he got Malwa and Bundelkhand.
Baji Rao dashed into Delhi in and captured in for 3 days.
Sambhaji-II had accepted his position of de facto by the treaty of Warna in 1731.
Made the Marathas supreme power in India.
He weakened the Mughal empire. He said “ Let us strike at the trunk of the withering tree and the branches will fall themselves.”

Balaji baji rao(1740-61)

Popularly known as Nanasahib.
Under him the supreme power passed in the hands of Peshwa after the Sangola agreement of 1750 with Maratha ruler Ram Raja. Maratha ruler became the mayor of the palace, and Peshwa head of confederacy.
Maratha force defeated the Bundela of Orchha and captured Jhansi in 1742. Jhansi turned a Maratha colony in Bundelkhand.
Nizam Salabat Jang (Hyderabad ) Surrendered in 1752. (Treaty of Bhalki).
Agreement between Mughal ruler Ahmad Shah and the Peshwa took place in 1772 . The Peshwa was to protect Mughal empire from Ahmed Shah Abdali return of Chauth of north west provinces and total revenue of Agra&Ajmer.
Third battle of Panipat in 1761 in which Maratha were defeated by Ahmad Shah Abdali.
At 3rd battle of Panipat Marathas lost Viswas Rao, son of Balaji Baji Rao, Sadashiv Rao Bhau, and several other soldiers ( total 28000)
Having heard the news of Panipat Nana Sahib died in 1761.