1. Rise of independent regional powers

2. 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
Rise of regional powers

3. The Marathas One of the most important regional powers
Had power and potential to establish an all – India empire

4. Shahu
Shahu – grandson of Shivaji – imprisoned by Aurangzeb – released in 1707 (after Aurangzeb’s death)
Maratha war of succession – Shahu became the next heir with the help of Balaji Vishwanath- chief minister / Peshwa / mukh pradhan
Became ease – loving and weak – ceremonial head – real authority – Peshwa – second phase of Maratha history – dominance of Peshwas – empire (1713 – 1818)

5. Balaji Vishwanath
Took advantage of Mughal’s weaknesses – important concessions – enhance power, prestige of Marathas.
Shivaji’s territories conquered by Aurangzeb given back to Shahu.
Right to levy chauth and sardeshmukhi from 6 Mughal provinces in the Deccan – granted to Marathas
1719 – Helped Sayyid brothers defeat
Farrukhsiyar
Made Marathas a formidable power

6. Balaji Vishwanath
Laid the foundations of a hereditary, dynastic rule of Peshwas
Succeded by his son Baji Rao I

7. Baji Rao I a military genius, bold, dynamic
Maratha kingdom became an empire – series of brilliant campaigns
Mughal provinces divided into ‘spheres of influence’
Prominent Maratha families from Sindhia, Bhonsle, Holkar, Gaekwad – had chiefs – ruled ‘spheres of influence’
Chiefs enjoyed maximum autonomy
Maratha confederacy – loose union of Maratha chiefs – headed by the Peshwa

8. Balaji Baji Rao father Baji Rao I - acquired the throne at 18 years
Became the official head of the Maratha empire – death of Shahu
Poona / Pune – headquarters of the Peshwas – capital of the Maratha empire
Continued policy of expansion – height of power and glory
North India – the power behind the Mughal throne

9. Ahmad Shah Abdali Afghan general
Faced the Marathas when they conquered Punjab
Defeated the Maratha army - Third Battle of Panipat – 1761
Marathas failed in replacing the Mughal Empire and Afghans failed in capitalizing their victory – ideal condition for entry of English East India Company

10. Bengal One of the richest provinces of the Mughal empire
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.

11. Murshid Quli Khan excellent administrator exceptional abilities
freed Bengal from external and internal dangers.
established stability, peace and prosperity

12. Alivardi Khan promoted trade
encouraged merchants (Indian and foreign) to carry on trade in Bengal
did not allow French and British merchants to fortify factories in Chandernagore and Calcutta

13. Bengal
Nawabs of Bengal – could not understand the ulterior motives of the British trading company
Nawabs – overconfident about their abilities and underestimated the power of the British

14. Bengal Army – no reorganization and weak
Corruption – bribes – high ranking officials
Happy hunting ground for British to fulfill their aggressive and imperialistic ambitions

15. Awadh (Oudh)
Sadaat Khan - governor – laid its foundation

16. Saadat Khan intelligent, efficient, daring good administrative skills
maintained law and order
introduced revenue reforms
strengthened army

17. Safdar Jung Saadat Khan’s nephew
Brought about stability, peace, prosperity

18. Shuja – ud - Daulah Safdar Jung’s son
Maintained peace and economic prosperity
Growth of refined and distinct Laknavi culture
Lucknow – capital city – centre for creative and performing arts, literature and architecture

19. Hyderabad
Founded by Mughal viceroy of the Deccan – Nizam – ul – Mulk – Asaf Jah – 1724
Wars of succession after his death – soft target for British and French companies

20. Nizam – ul – Mulk Asaf Jah
did not officially declare himself independent
ruled Hyderabad like an independent ruler
established an efficient administrative system
removed corruption from the revenue system
promoted trade
protected the state from internal and external threats

21. The Carnatic One of the subahs of Deccan
Initially – under the control of Nizam of Hyderabad
Nawab of Carnatic - freed himself from Nizam’s control – established hereditary rule
Wars of succession, political instability – opportunity for European trading companies to interfere in its internal affairs – make territorial, commercial and financial gains

22. Mysore
17th century – collapse of powerful Vijaynagar empire – rise of a number of independent kingdoms – wars
Mysore – remained independent – inspite of repeated attacks
18th century – Hyder Ali – leader of Mysore – one of the most powerful kingdoms on the south

23. Hyder Ali exceptional qualities and abilities
rose from ordinary soldier to commander – merit and determination
made Mysore a prosperous and powerful state
dangerous rival of English East India Company in the South

24. Tipu Sultan Hyder Ali’s son – a worthy successor
Introduced many reforms to overhaul and reorganize administrative machinery
Modernised army
Strengthened economy – encouraging agriculture, trade, industry
Serious challenge to British power

25. The Rajputs
principal Rajput states – Jaipur (Amber), Jodhpur (Marwar), Udaipur (Mewar) – took advantage of declining Mughal power – asserted independence
No unity – did not consolidate their position
Made no efforts to establish Rajput empire on debris of Mughal empire
Followed individual goals, interests – divergent and conflicting

26. The Rajputs Indulged in petty quarrels
Followed the tradition of court intrigues, conspiracy, treachery, corruption from the Mughal courts
Became vulnerable to the selfish designs of the English East India Company

27. Raja Sawai Jai Singh ruler of Amber
Interest in astronomy – Jantar Mantar
founded Jaipur - scientifically planned
social reformer – prevent sati, female infanticide

28. The Sikh kingdom
Guru Govind Singh - tenth and last Sikh guru – military brotherhood of Sikhs – ‘Khalsa’
Peace loving Sikhs - martial spirit – helped in the struggle against the persecution of the Mughals
Invasion of Nadir Shah, Ahmad Shah Abdali – weakened Mughal control – Sikhs moved in – controlled Jammu and Kashmir – last decades of 18th century

29. The Sikh kingdom
Loose confederacy of 12 misls or groups - each misl governed by a chief - Ranjit Singh – one chief
Ranjit Singh – a born leader – brought all Sikh chiefs west of Satluj - under his control – master of Punjab – end of 18th century
1809 – signed treaty of perpetual friendship with Lord Minto – Governor General of English East India Company

30. The Sikh kingdom
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
Ranjit Singh conquered more territories in north and west
1839 – death of Ranjit Singh – master of powerful kingdom – Khyber Pass in the north to Sindh in the south