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HBSE Class 8 History Chapter 6 India in Eighteenth Century notes for Haryana Board of Our Bharat III Book Solution.
India in Eighteenth Century Class 8 History Chapter 6 Notes
During the eighteenth century, India had become the centre of economic activity where every foreign nation was eager to establish its dominance through trade. India was a leading country in the production of industrial goods. The high quality cotton and silk cloth, spices, indigo, sugar, medicines and precious gems were enough to make any. nation prosperous. Some foreign historians name the eighteenth century as the ‘dark period,’ but this is not correct because in the eighteenth century, foreign companies came to India to do their business and they started trade with India, especially in Bengal and the coastal region. That is why the eighteenth century is also called the period of economic progress in India.
The main focus of the study:
1) The Indian situation in the 18th century
2) Rise of the Maratha Empire
3) Third Battle of Panipat
4) Major States
5) Causes of the arrival of foreign powers
Do you know? The Maratha Empire was founded by Chhatrapati Shivaji and his coronation took place in Raigarh.
In the early eighteenth century the Mughal empire in India had disintegrated. The diplomacy by which the Mughal rulers organised the empire began to decline due to the fanatical religious policies of Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb and the atrocities on non- Muslims. As a result, the formation of many independent states began in the remnants of the Mughal empire. These states were Bengal, Awadh, Hyderabad, Karnataka, Kerala, Ruhelkhand, Bundelkhand, Rajputana, Maratha and the Sikhs in Punjab. The brief descriptions of these states are as follows:
1. Rise of Maratha Power: After the death of Aurangzeb, Chhatrapati Shivaji established an independent kingdom in Maharashtra. His son and successor Sambhaji proved unfit. In 1689 AD, Sambhaji was caught with his family by the Mughal forces. Sambhaji was killed and his son Shahu was made a prisoner. After the death of Sambhaji, Shivaji’s second son Rajaram (1689-1700 AD), became the ruler of the Marathas and under his leadership the Marathas continued their freedom struggle. Rajaram died in 1700 AD.
After Rajaram’s death, his widowed wife Tarabai continued the powerful struggle against the Mughals. She installed her four-year-old son on the throne, who ascended the throne in the name of Shivaji II. Aurangzeb died on 2 March 1707 AD fighting with the Marathas. At that time, Shahu was imprisoned by Aurangzeb’s son, Azam Shah. Azam Shah freed Shambhaji’s son Shahu from prison in order to get the Marathas divided. Many Maratha-feudals welcomed Shahu on reaching Maharashtra, but Tarabai refused to make any compromise with Shahu. The Marathas were divided into two; the main Maratha chieftains began to join Shahu’s camp. On January 1, 1707 AD, Shahu took over Satara and on January 12, 1708 AD, his coronation took place in Satara. Shahu appointed Balaji Vishwanath as his Peshwa. Maratha power increased rapidly during the reign of Shahu. Maratha influence was established not only in South India but also in North India. Shahu died on December 15, 1749 AD.
The Peshwas flourished during the reign of Shahu, who not only provided Maharashtra with political stability and peace, but also expanded the Maratha kingdom rapidly. Maratha power became superior not only in South India but also in North India. Maratha power was considered to be significant. Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath and Peshwa Bajirao were great Peshwas. Balaji laid the foundation of the Maratha-Union. During Shivaji’s rule, the administration functioned as Ashtapradhan and they received a cash salary from the treasury. Shivaji neither started the Jagir-practice nor the heredi- tary positions. After Shivaji’s death, this system came to an end and Jagir-practice started in its place. According to the Treaty of 1719 AD, the Marathas got the right to collect Chauth and Sardeshmukhi in six Mughal States, but Balaji distrib- uted them in the form of estates among different Maratha rulers. These feudals used to collect Chauth and Sardeshmukhi from their territories.
Lets consider
Peshwa : They are also called Prime Minister. They took care of the administration of the state. Main Peshwas are as follow:
- Balaji Vishwanath (1713-1720 AD)
- Bajirao First (1720-1740 AD)
- Balaji Bajirao (1740-1761 AD)
- Madhavrao First (1761-1772 AD)
The Mughal court in Delhi was the centre of conspiracies. These conspiracies gave the Marathas an opportunity to intervene in the Delhi court. A treaty took place in 1752 AD between the emperor and the Marathas, according to which the Marathas got the right to collect Chauth from all over India and in turn the Marathas took responsibility for internal and external security. There were two groups of Indian Amirs and Turani Amirs in the Delhi Darbar. These two parties were opposed to each other. The Marathas supported the Indian Amirs. The Marathas, together with this class of Amirs, began to install and dislodge the emperors. The Turani contingent inspired Ahmed Shah Abdali to invade India.
The Battle of Panipat (1761 AD): Peshwa Balaji Bajirao sent a large army against Ahmad Shah Abdali under the leadership of his cousin Sadashivrao Bhau. On January 14, 1761 AD, the famous Battle of Panipat was fought between the Marathas and Abdali. The Marathas were defeated in this battle and many Maratha chieftains died on the battle field. The Peshwa’s power weakened, and the Maratha began to disintegrate. The power of the Marathas in North India waned.
2. Bengal: In 1717 AD, Murshid Quli Khan was appointed the Mughal Subedar of Ben- gal. Taking advantage of the bad condition of the Mughal Empire, he started working as an independent ruler, but he continued to show himself a servant and send the Mughal Emperor an annual offering. He established peace in Bengal and took control of the rebel landlords. Murshid Quli Khan died in 1727 AD. After that, his son-in-law, Shujauddin became the ruler of Bengal. In 1739 AD, his unworthy son Sarfaraz Khan became the ruler of Bengal, who was removed by Alivardi Khan who declared himself the Nawab of Bengal in 1740 AD. During his reign, ‘European companies’ spread their trade in Bengal. He kept the British and the French under his control during his reign and did not allow the British to fortify Kolkata and the French to fortify Chandarnagar. After his death, Sirajuddaula became the Nawab of Bengal. Alivardi Khan also advised his successor, Sirajuddaula to be careful of the British. Sirajuddaula was inexperienced. He clashed with the British.
Upon the fortification of the British, the Nawab took over the Kothi of Kasim Bazar from the British and forced the British to surrender. The British planned to overthrow the Nawab through conspiracy. In this scheme, the commander of the Nawab and a few prominent persons of Bengal were bribed. In 1757 AD, the Battle of Plassey took place, in which Sirajuddaula was defeated. He had to lose his life and Mir Jafar became the Nawab of Bengal. After a few years, Mir Zafar was replaced by Mir Qasim. In such a situation, the British extorted a lot of money from them. When Mir Qasim became the Nawab of Ben- gal, he wanted to improve the situation in Bengal, but due to differences with the British he could not do so. He asked the Nawab of Avadh Shujauddaula for help. The Mughal Emperor Shah Alam was also there at that time. Therefore, these three had planned to teach a lesson to the British together and in 1764 AD, the famous battle of Buxar was fought with the British. The combined forces of the three were defeated in the battle. As a result, Bengal came under the company’s rule.
Do you know? The formal foundation of the British rule in India was laid with the Battle of Plassey in 1757 AD and Lord Marquis Wellesley adopted the policy of subsidiary alliance in 1798 AD.
3. Awadh: The independent state of Awadh was founded by Sadat Khan Burhan-ul- Mulk. In 1722 AD, he was appointed as Mughal Subedar of Awadh. He supressed the rebel landowners and took military action against them forcing them to pay land revenue. He tried to reform the administration and army. He tried to improve the condition of the farmers of Awadh and protected them from the atrocities of the zamindars. His nephew, Safadarjang became the Nawab of Awadh after his death in 1739 AD. He fought against the Ruhels and the Pathans. He adopted a policy of friendship towards the Marathas and Jats and got their help against the Ruhels and Pathans. Safadarjang ruled up to 1754 AD. The Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula was defeated in the battle of the Buxar in 1764 AD and British occupied the Awadh.
4. Rajput States: The major Rajput states of Rajputana declared their independence by taking advantage of the weakness of the Mughal empire. They increased their power again. The rulers of Amer, Mewar, and Marwar predominantly increased their power.
a) Amer: the ruler of Amer, Sawai Jai Singh (1681-1743 AD) gained special attention among the Rajput rulers. He got authority over its entire state in a collaboration with the ruler of Mewar in 1708 AD. He founded Jaipur city, which is still considered the most beautiful city in Rajasthan. He took a great interest in the arts and sciences. He was a great astronomer in his time. He built observatories in Jaipur, Delhi, Mathura and Ujjain.
b) Marwar : After the death of Aurangzeb, Raja Ajit Singh declared independence. The Mughal rulers tried to keep Marwar under control but were unsuccessful and Raja Ajit Singh reclaimed the kingdom of his ancestors.
c) Bundi: At that time, Buddh Singh, a descendant of Rao Sarjan Hada, also declared himself independent, which was later recognised by the Mughal ruler Farrukhshiyar. This dynasty also developed a distinctive painting style. Many rulers, such as Raja Dalel Singh, Umed Singh and Ajit Singh ruled Bundi. The Rajput kingdoms continued to grow and expand throughout the century and they reached their highest.
5. Sikh Independence: After the death of Guru Gobind Singh in the early eighteenth century, the movement of the Sikhs changed from a religious movement to a political movement and its main goal was to end the suzerainty of the Mughal Empire, which was led by Banda Bahadur. At that time the Mughal ruler Farrukhsiyar sent forces against the Sikhs. Banda Bahadur was arrested. In 1716 AD, Banda Bahadur was killed mercilessly. The Sikhs were not distracted and waged a guerrilla warfare and expelled Abdali. Later, twelve Misls came into existence in Panjab. Among these, Sukerchakia Misl of Raja Ranjit Singh was the main, who conquered the territory up to Afghanistan and expanded the Sikh empire. Ranjit Singh organised his army in a European style.
6. Hyderabad: An independent state of Hyderabad was established in Southern India by Nizam-ul-Mulk, in 1724 AD. He played an important role in the downfall of the Sayyad brothers, as a reward for which the Mughal ruler gave him the authority of the South. Taking advantage of the factions in the Delhi Darbar and the weakness of the Mughal Emperor, he refused to accept the subjugation of the Mughals. Although he did not openly declare his independence, in practice he exercised all the powers of the independent ruler and waged war and treaties without the permission of the Mughal ruler. He began to expand his kingdom. As a result, he was defeated in the battle of Palkhet in 1728 AD in which he admitted to paying Chauth and Sardeshmukhi to the Maratha confederacy. In 1748 AD, Nizam-ul-Mulk died. After his death, the struggle for the throne of Hyderabad began between his son Nasirjung and grandson Muzaffarjung. In this war, the French favoured Muzaffarjung and the British favoured Nasir. The French got Nasirjung killed by a conspiracy and helped Muzaffarjung to sit on the throne. The next rulers proved weak and the state of Hyderabad gradually weak- ened. In 1798 AD, Nizam Ali made a treaty with the British and Hyderabad became dependent on the British.
7. Karnataka: Taking advantage of the weakness of the Mughal empire, Naib Subedar Sadat-Ulla-Khan of Karnataka also became independent. But after Sadat-Ullah Khan, Dost Ali became the Nawab, but like Hyderabad, the war for succession started in Karnataka also. When Anwaruddin became the Nawab after the death of Nawab Dost Ali, Chanda Saheb, the son-in-law of Dost Ali asserted his claim to the throne of Karnataka and sought help from the French to obtain the throne. With the help of the French, Chanda Saheb attacked the state in 1749 AD and Anwaruddin was defeated and killed in the battle of Amber. Chanda Saheb became Nawab of Karnataka. But the British did not like him and they attacked his capital, Arkot. The British killed Chanda Saheb. Karnataka now came under the influence of the British. Due to the political situation of Hyderabad and Karnataka, there were three battles of Karnataka between the British and the French.
8. Jat State : Distressed by the economic and religious policies of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, the Jats also fought for their independence in Mathura and its surrounding areas under the leadership of Gokul. Although the struggle continued under the leadership of Jat leaders Raja Ram and Chudaman, even after an attempt to crush the struggle. Bahadur Shah-l compromised with the Jats to reduce the conflict and made Chudaman the Mansabdar of fifteen hundred zat and five hundred horse riders in the Mughal court, yet Chudaman tried to become powerful by taking advantage of the weakness of the Mughal emperor. Hence, the Mughal Emperor Farukhshiar tried instigate fight between the Rajputs and Jats to prevent the growing power of the Jats.
After the death of Chudaman, Badan Singh established his authority over the area around Delhi and established his rule. He was an intelligent and capable leader. He also faced attacks from Ahmad Shah Abdali. After his death, Surajmal, Jawahar Singh, Ratan Singh, Kesari Singh and Ranjit Singh became prominent leaders of the Jats. They struggled until the end of the eighteenth century and continued to advance the ideology of independence.
Mansab – A post, status
Zat – Individual Post
Savaar – Horserider
9. Ruhelkhand: The establishment of Ruhelkhand and the states of Bangash Pathans was the result of the displacement of Afghans in the seventeenth century. A large number of Afghans migrated to the Roh Valley due to political and economic instability in Afghanistan in the mid-eighteenth century. With the help of the British, the ruler of Awadh, abolished them as well. A state of chaos arose in North India after the invasion of Nadir Shah. Taking advantage of this, Muhammad Khan established a small kingdom of Ruhelkhand. The region was situated between the Kumaon hills to the north of the Himalayan foothills and the Ganga river to the south. This state later had to face heavy defeat at the hands of the Jats and the rulers of Awadh and later the Marathas and the British.
Rohilkhand was one of the nine administrative divisions of British India. It is in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. Mainly the districts of Bijnor, Moradabad, Badaun, Bareilly, Pilibhit, Shahjahanpur, Rampur fell under it.
An Afghan Sardar named Mohammad Khan Bangash established an independent state in Farukhabad. He also took advantage of the weakening Mughal power and established the independent states of Aligarh and Kanpur.
10. Bundelkhand: Bundelkhand is an important region located in the middle of India. Here, the empire was established by Maharaja Chhatrasal. In 1728 AD, when Muhammad Khan Bangash invaded, he was defeated by Maharaja Chhatrasal with the help of Peshwa Bajirao. Later this kingdom went under the patronage of the Marathas.
Bundelkhand-state falls in the modern states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Mahoba, Jhansi, Banda, Lalitpur, Jalaun, Amirpur, Chitrakoot districts of Uttar Pradesh and Chhatarpur, Sagar, Panna, Tikamgarh, Damoh, Vidisha, Datia, Bhind and Satna are the main districts of Madhya Pradesh included in Bundelkhand.
Indian Society and Economy in the Eighteenth Century
- Agro-based social caste system.
- A rural social structure.
- Resources dependent on nature.
- Joint Family System and a male dominated society,
- Rise of middle class in the Indian society.
Indian society was financially ripe with inequities. There was self-reliance and self- sufficiency. Most of the people were involved in agribusiness. On the one hand, a faction of society was rich and living a luxurious life, on the other hand, there were poor farmers, tenants, workers, etc., who were in a pathetic situation. India’s cotton textile industry, jute industry, metal-ware industry, jewellery industry, etc. were flourishing. Foreign invasions destroyed India’s economy.
In the eighteenth century; there was a chaos in the country’s political situation. Mutual conflicts and foreign invasions completely undermined India’s political situation. The general public did not feel safe under these circumstances. In addition, the whole of India was divided into small independent and semi-independent states. This anarchy was taken advantage of by the Portuguese, the Dutch, the French and the British, and as a result, the British occupied the sovereign power of India and established their supremacy.
European Powers in India
With the advent of European powers into India, the conflict between these powers started and finally, the British succeeded in this struggle. Many companies came to India from Europe for trade, such as: Portuguese, Dutch, English, French, Danish, etc., who strengthened their position in India for trade. Among these, the British were generally successful in establishing their political dominance over all of India and they kept control of India untill 1947 AD.
The British progressively strengthened and developed trade in India. They further expanded the trade in the second decade of the 18th century by securing trading facilities from Emperor Farrukhsiyar. Apart from this, the British also established their supremacy in Bengal through conspiracies and dominated Hyderabad and Mysore also by making Indian powers fight among themselves. The conspiratorial battles of Plassey in 1757 AD and the Battle of Buxar in 1764 AD domiated Mysore and Karnataka, taking advantage of the mutual struggle of Indian powers.
In 1717 AD, the Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar provided many commercial facilities to the British through a royal decree. As a result, India will suffer significant economic losses in the future.
Conclusion of the chapter
➤ In 1717 AD, the Mughal Emperor Farrukhsiyar gave many concessions to the British East India Company.
➤ India’s high quality cotton and silk cloth, spices, indigo, sugar, medicines and precious gems were enough to attract any country.
➤ Taking advantage of the factionalism in the Delhi court and the weakness of the Mughal emperor, the independent state of Hyderabad was established by Nizam-ul-Mulk Asafjah in 1724 AD.
➤ Ranjit Singh, the ruler of Sukerchakia Misl in Punjab was a great ruler.