With the gradual weakening and decline of the Mughal Empire, local and regional political and economic forces began to arise and assert themselves. Further politics began to undergo major changes from late 17th century onwards. During the 18th century, on the debris of the Mughal Empire and its political system, arose a large number of independent and semi-independent powers such as the Bengal, Awadh, Hyderabad, Mysore and Maratha kingdoms. It is these powers which the British had to overcome in their attempt to attain supremacy in India.
- HYDERABAD
The idea of Hyderabad state was first conceived by Zulfiqar Khan, who obtained the viceroyalty of the Deccan and administered it through his deputy, Daud Khan, since 1708. Finally, Nizam- ul-Mulk was appointed the Subedar of Deccan in 1720. He was a leading noble of the Post-Aurangzeb Era. He played a crucial role in the overthrow of the Sayyid brothers. From 1720 to 1722, he consolidated his hold over the Deccan by suppressing all the oppositions to his viceroyalty and organising the administration on efficient lines. As a Wazir of the Mughal empire from 1722 to 1724, he got disgusted with the office of Muhammad Shah due to the opposition to his administrative reforms from the empire. So, he decided to go back to the Deccan and maintain his supremacy
He laid the foundations of the Hyderabad state which he ruled with a strong hand. It must be noted here that, he never openly declared the independence from the Central Government, but in practice, acted like an independent ruler. He waged wars, concluded peace, conferred titles and gave Jagirs and offices without reference to Delhi. He followed a tolerant policy towards the Hindus. A Hindu, Puran Chand was his Diwan. His orderly administration was based on the Jagirdari system of the Mughal empire’s pattern. He also made an attempt to rid the revenue system of its corruption.
He kept the Marathas out of his dominions by diverting the Maratha energy and by suggesting to the Peshwas the possibility of Maratha expansion in Northern India. But after his death in 1748, Hyderabad fell prey into the hands of Delhi’s powerful empire.
- CARNATIC
It was one of the subas of the Mughal Deccan. It came under the Nizam of Hyderabad’s authority. When Nizam freed himself, the Deputy Governor of Carnatic Sadatullah Khan had freed himself from the control of the Nizam and made his office hereditary. Thus, Nawab Sadatullah Khan of Carnatic made his nephew Dost Ali Khan his successor without Nizam’s approval. In 1740, due to repeated struggles for Nawabship, the Carnatic’s state of affairs deteriorated. This provided an opportunity to the European Trading Company to directly interfere in Indian politics.
- BENGAL
Murshid Quli Khan was the founder of the independent State of Bengal. He was a capable administrator and Bengal made significant progress in trade and commerce under him. He was first appointed as a Diwan (one who has right to collect revenue) and later as the Deputy Governor of Bengal and then Governor of Bengal in 1717.
Taking the advantage of the growing weakness of the central authority, two men of exceptional ability Murshid Quli Khan and Alivardi Khan, made Bengal virtually independent.
Murshid Quli Khan freed Bengal from internal and external threats and established peace and relatively freed it from major uprising of zamindars. After defeating the prominent zamindars, he gave their zamindaris to his favourite Ramjivan. After his death, he was succeeded by his son-in-law Shuja- ud-Din, who ruled Bengal till 1739.
TRADE AND FINANCE IN BENGAL
Murshid Quli Khan reorganised the finances of Bengal by transferring large parts of Bengal’s Jagir lands into Khalisah lands by carrying out a fresh revenue settlement, and also by introducing the system of revenue farming.
The Nawabs of Bengal gave equal opportunities for employment to the Hindus and the Muslims. He appointed to highest civil and military posts, the Bengalis, mostly Hindus. While choosing the revenue farmers, he gave preferences to the local landlords and the zamindars, thus laying the foundation of a new landed aristocracy in Bengal
Alivardi Khan did not permit the English and the French to fortify their factories in Calcutta and Chandernagore. But all the Nawabs of Bengal did not put down the increasing expansionist tendency of the British East India Company and believed that a mere trading company could not threaten their power.
They neglected to build a strong army and paid a heavy price for the same. Finally, the English declared the war on Siraj-ud-Daulah, the successor of Alivardi Khan and won the war.
- AWADH
Saadat Khan Burhan-ul-Mulk was the founder of the autonomous kingdom of Awadh. He was appointed as the Governor of Awadh in 1722. At the time of his appointment, many rebellious zamindars had raised their heads everywhere in the province and refused to pay the land tax.
Finally, Saadat Khan succeeded in suppressing lawlessness and disciplining the zamindars. Saadat Khan carried out fresh land revenue settlements in 1723. His troops were well paid, well armed and trained. His administration was efficient and he continued the Jagir system.
Saadat Khan was succeeded by his nephew Safdar Jung. Safdar Jung gave a long period of peace to the people of Awadh and Allahabad. He made an alliance with the Marathas to save his dominion from their incursions. He won the loyalty of the Rajput chiefs and Shaikhzadas. He waged war against the Bangash Pathans and secured the Maratha military support.
He entered into an agreement with the Peshwa to help the Mughal empire against Ahmad Shah Abdali and also to get protection against the internal rebels. In return, he was granted the Chauth of Punjab, Sindh and several districts of North India and was made the Governor of the Ajmer and Agra. But, at the end, the agreement failed.
During his reign, Safdar Jung organised an equitable justice system. He adopted a policy of impartiality in the employment of Hindus and Muslims. e.g. the highest post of his government was held by Maharaja Nawab Rai.
The prolonged period of peace and economic prosperity of the nobles under the government resulted in the growth of a distinct Lucknow culture around the Awadh Court. Lucknow was important seat of Nawabs of Awadh, an since 1775. It also developed as an important centre of arts, literature and handicrafts.
- PUNJAB
Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780-1839) founded his kingdom in Punjab. Later, he conquered Kashmir, Peshawar and Multan. He was an efficient administrator and a skilful diplomat.
He did not make any changes in the systems of land revenue promulgated earlier by the Mughals. The amount of land revenue was calculated on the basis of 50% of the gross produce
He built up a powerful, disciplined and well-equipped army along European lines with the help of European structures. He also recruited the Gurkhas, Biharis, Oriyas, Pathans, Dogras, Punjabi and the Muslims in the army.
He set up modern factories to manufacture cannon at Lahore. He possessed the second best army in Asia, the first being the army of the English East India Company.
He was tolerant and liberal in religious matters. He appointed many Hindus and Muslims as his ministers. e.g. his Chief Minister was Fakir Azizuddin, while his Finance Minister was Diwan Dina Nath.
Fearing the Russian advance in Afghanistan, the East India Company removed Dost Mohammad from the throne of Kabul and put Shah Shuja in his place. At the same time, the English forced Ranjit Singh to sign the Tripartite Treaty (1838) with Shah Shuja and the English Company which gave freedom to the British troops to pass through Punjab. Ranjit Singh died in 1839. After his death, the powerful Sikh state headed towards its decline.
- ROHILKHAND
Muhammad Khan Bangash, an Afghan adventurer established his control over the territory around Farrukhabad, during the regime of Farrukh Siyar and Mohammed Shah. During the invasion of Nadir Shah, Ali Mohammed Khan Bangash carved out a separate principality known as Rohilkhand, at the foothills of the Himalayas between the Ganga in South and Kumaon hills in the North, with its capital at Aolan in Bareilly and later at Rampur. The Rohillas clashed with Awadh, Delhi and the Jats.
- MYSORE
In the early 18th century, the most important power that emerged in South India was Mysore under Haider Ali. Mysore became independent under the Hindu Wadiyar dynasty in 1565, after the fall of the Vijayanagara empire. Haider Ali was the Faujdar of Dindigul, before he found the autonomous State of Mysore. He was a man of great energy and determination.
Some famous rulers of Mysore state were as follow
- HAIDER ALI
Haider Ali was conferred the title of Fateh Haider Bahadur by Anaraja (The Prime Minister of Chikka Krishna Raja). He recognised the advantages of Western military and applied it to the troop under his own command. He established a modern arsenal in Dindigul in 1755 and overthrew Nanaraja and established his authority over the Mysore state.
He administered full control over the rebellious Poligars (warrior chieftains and zamindars) and conquered the major territories like Canara and Malabar. The reason for capturing Malabar was his desire to have access to the Indian Ocean. He practised religious tolerance.
He took over Mysore, when it was weak and divided and made it one of the leading Indian powers. He engaged in wars with the Maratha Sardars, the Nizam and the British. He repeatedly defeated the British. Finally, he died in 1782 in the Second Anglo-Mysore War and was succeeded by his son Tipu Sultan.
After the death of Haider Ali, Tipu Sultan continued the Second Anglo- Mysore War against the British. In 1784, Tipu signed the Treaty of Mangalore with the British on the basis of mutual restitution of conquests. Sensing the growing power of Mysore, the Marathas and Nizam joined British in an alliance against Tipu Sultan. This led to the Third Anglo-Mysore War (1789-92), in which Tipu lost nearly half of the territory under his control.
The Fourth Anglo-Mysore War (1798-1799) completely demolished the kingdom of Tipu Sultan.