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NIOS Class 12 History Chapter 15 Understanding Eighteenth Century India
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Understanding Eighteenth Century India
Chapter: 15
HISTORY
TEXT BOOK QUESTIONS AND THEIR ANSWERS
INTEXT QUESTIONS 15.1
Q.1. Who succeeded Aurangzeb in 1707? What kind of policy did he follow?
Ans: Bahadur Shah I or Shah Alam. He followed a policy of compromise.
Q. 2. Who were popularly known as ‘Sayyid brothers’? Mention a few of their achievements.
Ans: Abdullah Khan and Husain Ali Khan were popularly known as ‘Sayyid brothers’.
Their achievements were as follows:
(i) They held the position of ‘Vazir’ and ‘Bakshi’ respectively.
(ii) They suppressed the Sikh revolts and tried to conciliate the Rajputs.
(iii) They abolished repressive tax like jazia.
Q. 3. By whom was the state of Hyderabad founded? What position did he hold under the Mughals?
Ans: The state of Hyderabad was founded by Chin Kilich Khan, the Nizam-ul-mulk. He held the position of the Vazir under the Mughals.
Q. 4. Give two reasons for the rise of the powers of nobles after the death of Aurangzeb.
Ans: (i) The later Mughal rulers were weak and ineffective.
(ii) Many of them were fickle minded and spent them in wasteful luxury and expenditure.
Q. 5. The ruler of which country invaded India in 1738?
Ans: During the period of AD 1738-1739 Nadir Shah invaded India, he was the ruler of Iran.
INTEXT QUESTIONS 15.2
Q. 1. Name the single most important power that emerged during the declining phase of Mughal dynasty.
Ans: The Marathas.
Q. 2. Who was referred as Peshwa during the Maratha rule? Name the Peshwa who held power between 1720-1740.
Ans: During the reign of Shahu, the Maratha ruler, the Chief Minister was referred as Peshwa. Baji Rao I was a very powerful Peshwa who ruled during the period of 1720-1740.
Q. 3. In the context of the Marathas what did the following terms indicate?
(a) Chauth (b) Sardeshmukhi
Ans: Both Chauth and Sardeshmukhi refer to the tribute collected by the Marathas. These corresponded to the proportion of tribute.
(a) Chauth: Chauth was 1/4th of the Mughal taxes.
(b) Sardeshmukhi: It was 1/10 th of the same.
Q. 4. Name the important Portuguese trade centres in the western coast of India.
Ans: Goa, Bassin, and Daman.
Q.5. Name the various ruling dynasties of the Maratha confederacy. In which region did they rule?
Ans: Bhonsles of Nagpur, Gaikwads of Baroda, Holkars of Indore, Sindhias of Gwalior and Shivaji’s successors ruled in the region of Satara.
Q. 6. Who was Ahalya Bai? What was her main achievement?
Ans: Ahalya Bai was the widowed daughter- in-law of the Holkar ruler Malhar Rao. She ruled Indore from 1765 to 1794. Her main achievement was that she consolidated the power of the Holkars and brought it to great glory.
INTEXT QUESTIONS 15.3
Q. 1. In which region and under whose patronage did the dance form-Kathak evolve?
Ans: Kathak, the new dance form evolved in the region of Lucknow in Awadh under the patronage of the nawabs of Awadh.
Q.2. Why was the battle of Plassey, 1757 significant?
Ans: In this battle the independent nawab of Bengal, Sirajuddaulah was defeated and killed by the British forces. It paved the way for subjugation of Bengal and eventually India by a foreign power.
Q. 3. Name the Sultan of Mysore who faced the challenge of the British East India Company. What difficulties did he face during his rule ?
Ans: Tipu Sultan. Besides falling to the hostility of the British, Tipu always had to face the resistance of local chiefs called ‘Poligars’.
INTEXT QUESTIONS 15.4
Q. 1. Give two reasons for the economic instability after 1770.
Ans: (i) Political turmoil.
(ii) Raids of military forces.
Q. 2. Why did Indian export trade decline in the face of European advances?
Ans: It was because the British merchant and shippers controlled the export trade by replacing Indians.
Q. 3. Name major colonial port cities, that replaced earlier commercial centres.
Ans: Bombay, Madras, Calcutta.
Q. 4. Give two main features of eighteenth century social system.
Ans: (i) In many ways the eighteenth century social life was a continuation of past legacy without much change.
(ii) The society was divided on the multilayered identities on the basis of religion, tribe, cast, language, class etc.
Q. 5. List the major social evils prevalent in 18th century India.
Ans: (i) Women of the upper classes had to follow Purdah.
(ii) Child marriage, polygamy and dowry were other social evils in society.
(iii) Custom of Sati was prevalent in the society.
Q. 6. What were the mediums of higher education till 18th century?
Ans: Sanskrit and Persian.
Q. 7. What was the main centre for the emergence of Karnataka tradition of Indian classical music? Who were the main exponents of this tradition?
Ans: Karnataka tradition of Indian classical music developed in the region of Thanjavur. The main exponents of this tradition were Tyagaraja, Muttuswami Diksitar and Syna Sastri.
TERMINAL EXERCISE
Q. 1. After the death of Aurangzeb why did the Mughal authority decline so fast?
Ans: (i) After the death of Aurangzeb the Mughal authority declined very fast. It was mainly due to weak successors of Aurangzeb, The successors of Aurangzeb were not in a position to militarily enforce its regulations in all parts of the empire. As a result many provincial governors started to assert their authority. In due course of time they gained independent status.
(ii) Many other kingdoms which were subjugated by the Mughals also claimed their independence. Some new regional groups also consolidated and emerged as political power.
(iii) With all these developments, the period between 1707 and 1761 witnessed resurgence of regional identity that buttressed both political and economic decentralisation.
(iv) Intraregional as well as interregional trade in local raw materials, artefacts, and grains created strong ties of economic interdependence, irrespective of political and military relations.
Q. 2. Examine the process of the rise of regional politics and states. Why did these powers feel the need for imperial symbol for legitimacy?
Ans: (i) During the phase of Mughal decline many states arose in terms of resources, longevity and economic character.
(ii) State like Hyderabad was located in an area that had harboured regional state in the immediate pre-Mughal period and thus had an older local or regional tradition of state formation. Others were states that had a more original character and derived from very specific processes that had taken place in the coarse of the late 16th and 17th centuries.
(iii) Many of the post Mughal states were based on ethnic on sectarian groupings-the Marathas, the Jats, and the Sikhs.
(iv) In due course, the enrichment of the regions emboldened local land and power- holders to take up arms against external authority. However, mutual rivalry and conflicts prevented these rebels from consolidating their interests into an effective challenge to the empire. They relied on support from kinsfolk, peasants, and smaller zamindars of their own castes. Each local group wanted to maximise its share of the prosperity at the expense of the others.
(v) The necessity of emphasising imperial symbols was inherent in the kind of power politics that emerged. Each of the contenders in the regions, in proportion to his strength, looked for and seized opportunities to establish his dominance over the others in the neighbourhood. They all needed a kind of legitimacy, which was so conveniently available in the authority of the Mughal empire. They had no fear in collectively accepting the symbolic hegemony of the Mughal centre, which come to coexist with their ambitions.
(vi) The gradual weakening of the central authority set in motion new types of provincial kingdoms. Nobles who had ability and strength sought to build a regional base for themselves. For example, having failed to reform the administration, the wazir Chin Qilich Khan. relinquished his office in 1723 and in October 1724 marched south to establish the state of Hyderabad in the Deccan.
(vii) At this state the chief concern of the Mughal court was to ensure the flow of the necessary revenue from the provinces and maintenance of at least the semblance of imperial unity.
(viii) Disintegration of the empire provided opportunities to the Marathas to begin their northward expansion and overran Malwa, Gujarat, and Bundelkhand.
Q.3. How did the Marathas recover their lost importance in early 18th century?
Ans: Recovery of their lost importance by the Marathas in early 18th century:
(i) In 1708 Shahu succeeded Rajaram. Shahu ruled for four decades upto 1749. His reign was marked by the ascendancy of a lineage of Chitpavan Brahman ministers, who virtually came to control central authority in the Maratha state.
(ii) The Bhonsles were reduced to figure heads. Holding the title of Peshwa, the first truly prominent figure of this line was Balaji Vishvanath, who had helped Sahu in his rise to power. Visvanath and his successor, Baji Rao I, managed to bureaucratize the Maratha state to a far greater extent. They systematised the practice of tribute gathering from Mughal’ territories, under the heads of sardeshmukhi and chauth. They seem to have consolidated methods of assessment and collection of land revenue and other taxes, on the lines of the Mughals. In this way, the Marathas recovered their lost importance in the 18th century.
Q. 4. Who was Mahadaji Sindhia? List his contributions.
Ans: (i) Mahadaji Sindhia was the ruler of Gwalior. He ruled from 1761 to 1794. During his reign, family’s fortunes were truly consolidated.
(ii) He was an effective and innovative military commander. He employed a large number of European soldiers in his force. His power grew rapidly after 1770. During this period he managed to make substantial inroads into North India that had been weakened by Afghan attacks.
(iii) He intervened with some effect in the Mughal court during the reign of Shah Alam II. The Mughal king made him the ‘deputy regent’ of his affairs in the mid-1780s. His shadow fell not only across the provinces of Delhi and Agra but also on Rajasthan and Gujarat, making him the most formidable Maratha leader of the era. The officials of the East India Company were very cautious in dealing with him.
(iv) After recapturing Gwalior from the British, Mahadaji took care to have his control of the town sanctioned by the Mughal emperor.
(v) He also guarded the privileges and titles granted to him by Shah Alam, such as amir-i-umara and naib wakii-mutlaq (deputy regent).
Q. 5. Examine the efforts of nawabs of Bengal to consolidate their position in Bengal.
Ans: Efforts of nawabs of Bengal to consolidate their position in Bengal:
(i) Aurangzeb had appointed Murshid Quli Khan as Diwan of Bengal. With the weakening of the central authority he virtually became independent. However, he regularly sent tribute to the Mughal emperor.
(ii) Murshid Quli Khan was deposed by Ali Vardi Khan. Ali Vardi Khan made himself the Nawab of Bengal in 1739. These nawabs brought stability and peace and promoted agriculture, trade and industry.
(iii) Equal opportunities were given to Hindus and Muslims.
(iv) But the nawabs could not visualise the long term implications of the presence of the European trading companies and neglected military preparedness.
(v) In 1756-1757, Siraj-ud-Daulah who was successor of Ali Vardi Khan, had to fight the English East India Company over the trading rights. He was defeated in the battle of Plassey in June 1757. This paved the way for subjugation of Bengal as well as India.
Q. 6. When and by whom was the Sikh authority established over Lahore? Explain role of Maharaja Rajnit Singh in this context.
Ans: (i) By the mid-1760s, Sikh authority over Lahore was established.
(ii) The Sikh chiefdoms continued many of the administrative practices initiated by the Mughals. The main subordinates of the chiefs were given jagir assignments. The Persianized culture of the Mughal bureaucracy continued to hold sway. It was one such chief, Ranjit Singh, who eventually welded these principalities for a brief time into a larger entity. Ranjit Singh’s effective rule lasted four decades, from 1799 to 1839.
(iii) The power of the English East India Company was growing in all parts of the country during this period. His rise to power was based on superior military force, partly serviced by European mercenaries and by the strategic location of the territories that he had inherited from his father.
(iv) Ranjit Singh’s kingdom represented the culmination of nearly a century of Sikh rebellions against Mughal rule. It was based on the intelligent application of principles of statecraft. He used as his capital the great trading city of Lahore, which he captured in 1799. Having gained control of the trade routes, he imposed monopolies on the trade in salt, grain, and textiles from Kashmir to enhance his revenues. Using these earnings, he built up an army of 40,000 cavalry and infantry. By the year 1809 he was undisputed master of the most of Punjab.
Q. 7. Explain the steps taken by Sawai Raja Jai Singh to increase his power in Rajputana.
Ans: Steps taken by Sawai Raja Jai Singh to increase his power in Rajputana. This was done by:
(i) Arranging to have his jagir assignment in the vicinity of his home territories.
(ii) Taking on rights on land revenue through farming (for collection of land tax rights on a parcel of land that were rented by the state to an individual), which was gradually made permanent.
Q. 8. ‘When viewed from Delhi, the 18th century is certainly a gloomy period.’ Justify this statement by giving suitable arguments.
Ans: (i) When viewed from Delhi, the 18th century is certainly a gloomy period. The attacks of Nadir Shah, then of Ahmed Shah Abdali, and finally the attacks by the Rohillas (who controlled Delhi in 1761-71) put the city in a state of regular destruction.
(ii) This perspective can hardly, have been shared by the inhabitants of other centres in India, whether Pune, Patna, Jaipur or Trivandrum.
(iii) There was a process of economic reorientation that accompanied the political decentralisation of the era, and it is on account of this that the experience of Delhi and Agra can not be generalised.
Q. 9. Examine the causes of decline of Indian agriculture in 18th century.
Ans: Causes of decline of Indian agriculture in 18th century:
(i) There were some areas which saw agricultural decline often because of inter state warfare as in Punjab and parts of north India.
(ii) Lack of new agricultural methods and techniques.
(iii) Lack of labour and peace.
(iv) Price rise.
Q. 10. Describe the significant changes in the economic sphere in 18th century India.
Ans: Significant changes in the economic sphere in 18th century India.
(i) The mid-eighteenth century marks a significant change in economic sphere. For example, once the English East India Company got hold on the revenues of Bengal suba the flow of money was adversely affected. While earlier Bengal received gold and silver in exchange for its exports, this pattern no longer held.
(ii) In later part of eighteenth century the peasants were forced to cultivate certain cash crops like indigo and opium. This had adverse impact on food crop production.
(iii) In the post-1750 period, warfare became more disruptive of civil life and economic production than before, and at the same time the new technologies in use made it a far more expensive proposition. The use of firearms on a large scale, the employment of mercenaries, the maintenance of standing armies, all of these had harmful affects.
Q. 11. Why is there a debate on the nature of 18th century?
Ans: (i) The debate on the nature of eighteenth century has engaged historians of Mughal India as well those interested in colonial studies. Early Mughal studies view the over all changes in the shadow of Mughal political collapse and project the period as ‘Dark Ages’, thus Mughal political crisis is seen to be accompanied by economic and social breakdown as well.
(ii) However, later studies scrutinise eighteenth century economy and society in regional perspectives preceding the beginning of the colonial rule that characterised the second half of the eighteenth century.
(iii) Thus the two positions argue around ‘continuity versus change’ paradigm. Generally, Indian historians perceive the colonial conquest which began from the mid eighteenth century as a point of departure for Indian history. So the basic issues pertaining to eighteenth century are two-whether the fall of Mughal Empire initiated the fall of socio-economic structure as well and secondly, whether the arrival of colonialism was a fundamental break or not.
Q. 12. What ground do the historians refer the 18th century as ‘dark ages’?
Ans: Historians have traditionally viewed India’s eighteenth century as a dark era of warfare, political chaos, and economic decline sandwiched between stable and prosperous Mughal and British hegemonies.
Q. 13. What are the major problems in understanding the history of 18th century?
Ans: (i) The debate on the nature of eighteenth century has engaged historians of Mughal India as well those interested in colonial studies. Early Mughal studies view the over all changes in the shadow of Mughal political collapse and project the period as ‘Dark Ages’, thus Mughal political crisis is seen to be accompanied by economic and social breakdown as well.
(ii) However, later studies scrutinise eighteenth century economy and society in regional perspectives preceding the beginning of the colonial rule that characterised the second half of the eighteenth century.
(iii) Thus the two positions argue around ‘continuity versus change’ paradigm. Generally, Indian historians perceive the colonial conquest which began from the mid eighteenth century as a point of departure for Indian history. So the basic issues pertaining to eighteenth century are two-whether the fall of Mughal Empire initiated the fall of socio-economic structure as well and secondly, whether the arrival of colonialism was a fundamental break or not.
Multiple Choice Questions
Tick (✓) the correct answer.
Q. 1. Aurangzeb died in:
(a) 1700
(b) 1707
(c) 1714
(d) 1709
Ans: (b) 1707
Q. 2. Third battle of Panipat was fought in:
(a) 1741
(b) 1752
(c) 1761
(d) 1762
Ans: (c) 1761
Q. 3. Churaman was a:
(a) Jat Chief.
(b) Budela Chief.
(c) Tribal Chief.
(d) None of the above.
Ans: (a) Jat Chief.
Q.4. The single most important power that emerged in the long twilight of the Mughal dynasty was the:
(a) Jats.
(b) Rajputs.
(c) Brahmans.
(d) Marathas.
Ans: (d) Marathas.
Q. 5. The most important Maratha warrior clan was of the:
(a) Shivaji Bhonsle.
(b) Shambhaji Bhonsle.
(c) Shambhuji Bhonsle.
(d) Tarabai.
Ans: (a) Shivaji Bhonsle.
Q. 6. Shah’s reign lasted for four decades upto
(a) 1746
(b) 1749
(c) 1750
(d) 1751
Ans: (b) 1749
Q. 7. Who some come to cultivate the Angria clan?
(a) Shivaji.
(b) Shambhaji.
(c) Balaji Vishwanath.
(d) Shahuji.
Ans: (c) Balaji Vishwanath.
Q.8. Who of the following was a Maratha chief?
(a) Gaikwads.
(b) Sindhias.
(c) Holkars.
(d) All of the above.
Ans: (d) All of the above.
Q. 9. Raghuji Bhonsle was responsible for the Maratha incurrious on:
(a) Bengal.
(b) Bihar.
(c) Bengal and Bihar.
(d) Bihar and Jharkhand.
Ans: (c) Bengal and Bihar.
Q. 10. Initially, the Gaikwads were subordinate to:
(a) Dabhade family.
(b) Scindias.
(c) Holkars.
(d) None of the above.
Ans: (a) Dabhade family.
Q. 11. The Gaekwads preferred to establish their capital in:
(a) Calcutta.
(b) Chennai.
(c) Baroda.
(d) Daulatabad.
Ans: (c) Baroda.
Q. 12. Malhar Rao was a chief of:
(a) Bhonsles.
(b) Gaikwads.
(c) Holkars.
(d) Sindhias.
Ans: (c) Holkars.
Q. 13. Who of the following was made the ‘deputy regent’ by the Mughal emperor in 1780s?
(a) Shivaji.
(b) Mahadaji Sindhia.
(c) Damaji.
(d) Raghuji.
Ans: (b) Mahadaji Sindhia.
Q. 14. Who of the following made the provincial head a hereditary position?
(a) Shah Alam II.
(b) Shivaji.
(c) Saadat Khan.
(d) Zakariya Khan.
Ans: (c) Saadat Khan.
Q. 15. Jaipur principality was controlled by the:
(a) Ranjit Singh.
(b) Sikh Clan.
(c) Rajputs.
(d) Kachwaha Clan.
Ans: (d) Kachwaha Clan.
Q. 16. Martanda Varma was associated with the:
(a) Vijayanagar empire.
(b) The state of Travancore.
(c) Mysore.
(d) Punjab.
Ans: (b) The state of Travancore.
Q. 17. Which of the following was a landlocked kingdom?
(a) Punjab.
(b) Chennai.
(c) Gujarat.
(d) Mysore.
Ans: (d) Mysore.
Q. 18. Which of the following was not a commercial centre?
(a) Surat.
(b) Gorakhpur.
(c) Masulipatnam.
(d) Dhaka.
Ans: (b) Gorakhpur.
Q. 19. Khathak was evolved in the region of:
(a) Patliputra.
(b) Lucknow.
(c) Kanpur.
(d) Chennai.
Ans: (b) Lucknow.
Q. 20. Both Chauth and Sardeshmukhi refers to the tributes collected by the:
(a) Marathas.
(b) Rajputs.
(c) Tughlaqs.
(d) Lodhis.
Ans: (a) Marathas.
