India in the Eighteenth Century

(R) is the reason for (A)

Explanation — After Aurangzeb died in 1707, the Mughal empire started declining. This is because his successors were weak and were merely puppets in the hand of the nobles and Governors.

P and Q

Shivaji

Tipu's hatred towards his enemy, the British

Mukesh Rao

Statement (I) is correct and statement (II) is incorrect.

The city of Jaipur is also known as the White City.

(iii), (ii), (i), (iv)

Guru Gobind Singh

Balaji Baji Rao

The decline of the Mughal empire was caused by several key factors:

1. Weak Successors: After Aurangzeb’s death in 1707, his successors lacked administrative skill and were controlled by powerful nobles, leading to the fragmentation of the empire.
2. Rivalry Among Nobles: Constant power struggles between different noble groups created political instability and hindered effective governance.
3. Weak Administration: The jagirdari and mansabdari systems became ineffective due to the indiscriminate distribution of land, draining the treasury. The central authority weakened, reducing military efficiency.
4. Invasions of Nadir Shah and Ahmad Shah Abdali: Foreign invasions, especially by Nadir Shah in 1739 and Ahmad Shah Abdali, devastated the empire, with Nadir Shah looting the Kohinoor Diamond and the Peacock Throne.
5. Wars of Succession: Wars for succession drained resources and caused political instability.
6. Aurangzeb’s Policies: His religious intolerance and costly military campaigns, especially against the Marathas and Sikhs, weakened both the economy and administration.

The Third Battle of Panipat was fought between the Marathas and the Afghan General Ahmed Shah Abdali in 1761. The Marathas suffered a crushing defeat, which ended their dream of establishing an all-India empire. Their defeat also provided the English East India Company an opportunity to consolidate power in India.

The first independent Nawab of Bengal was Murshid Quli Khan. The Nawab brought peace and encouraged trade and commerce in Bengal.

Haider Ali became the ruler of Mysore in 1761. He started his career as an ordinary soldier in the Mysore army. He won many battles against the Marathas and the Nizam of Hyderabad, and successfully defeated the British in the first two Anglo-Mysore Wars.

Tipu Sultan is known as the 'Tiger of Mysore'. Tipu ruled Mysore for 17 years. He was an efficient ruler and brave General. He was wise and was deeply influenced by the ideas of the French Revolution. He introduced modern weapons in his army and tried to build a modern navy. He died in 1799, while defending his capital Seringapatam in the final Anglo-Mysore War.

In the Third Battle of Panipat (1761), Ahmad Shah Abdali, an Afghan invader, gave a crushing defeat to the forces of Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao. It put an end to the Maratha power and allowed the East India Company to gain power and become supreme in India.

After the death of Aurangzeb in 1707, the Mughal Empire weakened significantly. His successors were ineffective rulers, often manipulated by powerful nobles and governors, which led to a decline in central authority. This allowed regional powers to assert their independence.

Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).

Explanation — After the death of Aurangzeb in 1707, the Mughal Empire was weakening, and there was political instability in the Deccan region. The Sayyid brothers, who held power in the Mughal Empire, were overthrown, and this disturbance allowed Asaf Jah to seize the opportunity and establish his own independent rule.

Assertion (A) is false but Reason (R) is true.

Explanation — As a political power, the Rajputs were insignificant during the 18th century. This is because a majority of Rajput states were most of the time involved in feuds and civil wars among themselves.