Eighteenth Century Political Formations — AP Class 7 History

1. About the Chapter

'1707 — the year Aurangzeb died. The Mughal empire began to COLLAPSE. And a NEW India was born.' The 18th century saw the RISE of new political powers — Marathas, Sikhs, Jats, and regional kingdoms like Hyderabad, Bengal, and Awadh.

Key Themes

• Decline of the Mughal empire
• Rise of successor states: Awadh, Bengal, Hyderabad
• The Maratha expansion
• Sikhs under the misls
• Jat uprising
• AP focus: Asaf Jahi dynasty (Hyderabad Nizams), Carnatic Nawabs

2. Why the Mughal Empire Declined

Internal Factors

External Factors

Timeline of Decline

3. Successor States — The Three Models

1. Awadh (1722–1856)

Founded by Saadat Khan (a Mughal governor). 'Awadh was the MOST PROSPEROUS of the successor states.'

2. Bengal (1717–1765)

Founded by Murshid Quli Khan (Mughal diwan). 'Bengal was the RICHEST province of Mughal India.'

3. Hyderabad — The Asaf Jahi Dynasty (AP Focus)

Founded by: Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah I (1724)

'Nizam-ul-Mulk was one of Aurangzeb's GREATEST generals. When the Mughal empire declined, HE built his OWN kingdom in the Deccan — the Hyderabad state, which lasted until 1948.'

Territory of Hyderabad

At its peak, the Hyderabad state covered:

• Present-day Telangana
• Parts of Karnataka (Gulbarga, Bidar)
• Parts of Marathwada (Aurangabad)
• Coastal AP (Circars — given to British later)

'The Nizams ruled from Golconda fort initially and then built their OWN city — Hyderabad, with the Charminar as its centre.'

Carnatic Nawabs (AP/Tamil Nadu)

The Nawab of Carnatic (Arcot) ruled the coastal region south of the Godavari. 'The Carnatic Nawabs became a KEY player in the Anglo-French rivalry in India.'

4. The Marathas — The Greatest Regional Power

Rise of the Marathas

'From a HILL FORT in Maharashtra to CONTROLLING most of India — the Marathas were the FASTEST rising power of the 18th century.'

Key Maratha Leaders

Maratha Administration

• Peshwa: Prime minister (became hereditary ruler)
• Chauth: 25% tax collected from neighbouring territories
• Sardeshmukhi: Additional 10% tax (Sovereignty fee)
• 'The Marathas did NOT conquer — they EXTRACTED tribute. This is why their empire collapsed quickly.'

Third Battle of Panipat (1761)

• Marathas vs. Ahmad Shah Abdali (Afghan)
• Marathas LOST disastrously
• 'The Maratha empire NEVER recovered from Panipat'
• This defeat paved the way for BRITISH expansion in India

5. The Sikhs — From Guru to Empire

From Guru Gobind Singh to Banda Bahadur

Guru Gobind Singh (1666–1708) created the Khalsa (the Sikh community of warriors). After his death, Banda Bahadur led a SIKH uprising against the Mughals (1709–1716). 'The Sikhs fought the Mughals and the Afghans — NEVER surrendering.'

The Misls (Sikh Confederacies)

After Banda's death, the Sikhs organised into 12 Misls (fighting groups). Each misl controlled a territory. 'The misls were EQUAL — no one misl was supreme.'

Rise of Ranjit Singh (1780–1839)

• United the misls into ONE Sikh empire
• Capital: Lahore
• Empire: Punjab, Kashmir, Peshawar
• 'Ranjit Singh was the LAST GREAT Indian ruler before the British took over'
• Maintained a MODERN army (European-style)
• Did NOT fight the British — maintained FRIENDLY relations

6. The Jats

Jat Uprising

The Jats of North India (around Delhi-Agra) also rebelled against the Mughals. 'Jats were primarily a FARMING community who RESISTED Mughal oppression.'

Jat Kingdom at Bharatpur

• Founded by Badan Singh and Suraj Mal
• Capital: Bharatpur (Rajasthan)
• 'The Jats built the LOOTED Mughal treasures — including the Qutb Minar's top (but returned it later)'
• The Bharatpur FORT was one of the STRONGEST in India

7. Comparison Table: Successor States

8. Key Facts and Dates

• 1707: Aurangzeb dies. Mughal decline begins.
• 1724: Asaf Jah I founds Hyderabad state
• 1739: Nadir Shah invades Delhi
• 1757: Battle of Plassey — British gain control of Bengal
• 1761: Third Battle of Panipat — Marathas defeated
• 1764: Battle of Buxar — British dominate Awadh and Bengal
• 1798: Nizam signs subsidiary alliance with British
• 1799: Ranjit Singh establishes Sikh empire

9. Common Mistakes

1. Thinking the Mughal empire 'ended' in 1707 — It DECLINED but continued NOMINALLY until 1857.
2. Calling the Nizams 'Mughals' — They were Mughal SUCCESSORS, not Mughals themselves.
3. Believing the Marathas were 'nationalists' — They were a REGIONAL power seeking expansion.
4. Forgetting the importance of Panipat (1761) — This battle decided INDIA'S future — the Maratha defeat left a vacuum that the British filled.
5. Confusing Hyderabad Nizams with Carnatic Nawabs — Nizams ruled Deccan (Telangana, parts of AP). Carnatic Nawabs ruled coastal AP/TN.

10. Exam Focus

2 Marks

Q: Who founded the Hyderabad state (Asaf Jahi dynasty)? A: Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah I (1724).

Q: What was the Third Battle of Panipat (1761)? A: A battle where the Marathas were defeated by Ahmad Shah Abdali (Afghan).

4 Marks

Q: Explain the rise of Hyderabad state under the Asaf Jahis (AP focus). A: Asaf Jah I was a Mughal governor in the Deccan. When the empire weakened, he declared independence in 1724 and founded the Asaf Jahi dynasty. His successors (Nizams) ruled Hyderabad until 1948. The state controlled Telangana, parts of AP, Karnataka, and Marathwada. In 1798, the Nizam signed a subsidiary alliance with the British, becoming a PROTECTED princely state.

6 Marks

Q: Analyze the reasons for the decline of the Mughal empire and the rise of successor states in the 18th century. A: The Mughal empire declined due to weak successors, empty treasury (from Aurangzeb's wars), powerful nobles, and external invasions (Nadir Shah 1739, Abdali). As the centre weakened, provincial governors declared independence. Awadh (Saadat Khan), Bengal (Murshid Quli Khan), and Hyderabad (Asaf Jah I) became independent states. The Marathas expanded from the Deccan. Sikhs organised into misls. These successor states fought each other AND the British. The British ultimately defeated them one by one, beginning with Bengal (1757).

11. Quick Self-Test

1. Who was the first Nizam of Hyderabad? Answer: Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah I

2. When was the Third Battle of Panipat fought? Answer: 1761

3. Which European power invaded Delhi in 1739? Answer: Nadir Shah (Persia/Iran)

4. Who founded the Sikh empire? Answer: Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1799)

5. What was the Chauth? Answer: 25% tax collected by Marathas from neighbouring territories.

6. Which battle gave the British control of Bengal? Answer: Battle of Plassey (1757)

7. What killed the Mughal empire — internal or external factors? Answer: BOTH — internal (weak rulers, empty treasury) and external (invasions, rise of regional powers).

8. Where did the Carnatic Nawabs rule? Answer: Coastal AP and Tamil Nadu (headquarters: Arcot)

12. Conclusion

'The 18th century was INDIA'S most TRANSFORMATIVE century.' The Mughal empire CRUMBLED, but India did not become a vacuum — new powers ROSE: Marathas, Sikhs, Jats, and regional states like Hyderabad. For AP, this period saw the birth of the Hyderabad state under the Asaf Jahi Nizams and the Carnatic Nawabs. But this was also the century when the BRITISH began their conquest of India — a story the next class will take up.

Key takeaways:

• Mughal decline created a power vacuum
• Successor states: Awadh, Bengal, Hyderabad
• Marathas expanded rapidly but failed to unite India
• Hyderabad Nizams ruled AP/Telangana from 1724
• Sikh empire rose under Ranjit Singh
• The British exploited this fragmentation to gain control
• AP history: Asaf Jahi dynasty and Carnatic Nawabs