EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY POLITICAL FORMATIONS POLITICAL

. 1. What were three common features among Bengal, Awadh and Hyderabad? 

Ans: First, though many of the larger states were established by earlier  Mughal nobles and they had inherited, in particular the jagirdari system of the administration.

Second all three regimes contracted with revenue-farmers for the collection of revenue.

Third common feature in all these regional states was their emerging relationship with rich bankers and merchants.

2. What were the causes behind decline of Mughal empire?

Ans Aurangzeb had depleted the military and financial resources of his empire by fighting a long war in the Deccan.

It became increasingly difficult for the later Mughal emperors to keep a check on their powerful mansabdars.

Peasant and zamindari rebellions in many parts of northern and western India.

The attack by Iran ruler Nadir Shah in 1739 and Afghan ruler Ahmad shah abdali between 1748 and 1761 also weaken the empire.

3. How much wealth were plundered by Nadir shah in Delhi?

Ans; Nadir shah plundered sixty lakhs of rupees and some thousand gold coins, nearly one crore worth of gold-ware, nearly fifty crores worth of jewels, and the above included the Peacock throne.

4. Name the two Mughal emperor who were blinded by nobles?

Ans; Ahmad Shah (1748-1754) and Shah Alam II (1759-1816) were blinded by their nobles.

5. Why did the Nawabs of Awadh and Bengal try to do away with the jagirdari system?

Ans: (i) Nawabs of Awadh and Bengal try to do away with the jagirdari system to decrease the influence of Mughal in their provinces.
(ii) The jagirdars appointed at the time of Mughals were corrupt so he reduced the size of jagirs, and appointed his own loyal servants to vacant positions. 
(iii) They checked the accounts of jagirdars to prevent cheating and corruption.
(iv) The revenues of all districts were reassessed by officials appointed by the Nawab’s court.

6. How were the Sikhs organised in the eighteenth century?
Ans. (i) The Sikhs organized themselves into a number of bands called jathas, and later on misls under a number of able leaders.
(ii) The combined forces of Sikhs known as the grand army (dal khalsa) used to meet at Amritsar at the time of Baisakhi and Diwali to take collective decisions.
(iii) They offered protection to the cultivators on the payment of a tax of 20 per cent of the produce called rakhi.
(iv) Guru Gobind Singh had inspired the Khalsa with the belief that their destiny was to rule.
7. Why did the Marathas want to expand beyond the Deccan?
Ans. (i) Marathas want to expand beyond the Deccan as expansion brought enormous resources.
(ii) The domination made to pay tribute as a way of accepting Maratha sovereignty.
(iii) Military campaigns also made other rulers hostile towards the Marathas.
(iv) The Marathas developed an effective administrative system by endless military campaigns.
8. What were the policies adopted by Asaf Jah to strengthen his position?
Ans. Policies adopted by Asaf Jah to strengthen his position:
(i) He already had full control over the political and financial administration of Deccan.
(ii) He gathered power in his hands by taking advantage of the turmoil in the Deccan and the competition amongst the court nobility.
(iii) He ruled quite independently without seeking any direction from Delhi or facing any interference.
(iv)  Gradually, he became the actual ruler of that region.
9. Do you think merchants and bankers today have the kind of influence they had in the eighteenth century?
Ans: In today's world, merchants and bankers don't have the kind of influence they had in the eighteenth century. The idea of democracy changed the whole scenario. Everything from revenue share to the price in the market comes under a rule which is governed by the higher authorities chosen itself by people unlike in 18th century.

10. What were the offices held by Sa‘adat Khan?
Ans: Sa‘adat Khan held the combined offices of subadari, diwani and faujdari.