Clarify how mid-eighteenth century india was beset with the specter of a fragmented polity
Answers
Explanation:
During 16th & 17th century, major parts of India gradually came under a centralized administrative system with the Mughal emperor at its apex and his Mansabdari bureaucracy ruling the provinces.
In the first decade of 18th century, Bahadur Shah (Shah Alam-I) had ascended the Mughal throne after a war of succession among 3 sons of Aurungzeb. (1707 to be precise)
This marked the beginning of ‘Later Mughal period’ – characterized by (I) weak rulers and (II) Rise of autonomous regional states who pledged only namesake loyalty to the emperor.
The resultant politico-administrative situation in Delhi and elsewhere was as following:
Mughal Empire Fragmented Polity
IF THERE WAS NO FRAGMENTED POLITY THEN ENTIRE MAP WOULD HAVE BEEN IN SINGLE COLOR ONLY!
Body#1: Fragmented Polity in North & East India
The internal bickering among the Mughal family members and factionism among the nobles had emboldened first Nadir Shah and then Ahmed Shah Abdali to invade India.
1739: Nadir Shah captured and sacked Delhi, went off with Kohinoor diamond, Peacock throne and three years worth of revenue. This had significant repercussions on Mughal emperors’ reputation, financial & military strength in the later years.
Aurangazeb’s policies on religion, economy and Deccan region had already started discontent among Mansabdars, the weak personalities and lack of foresight of the later Mughal rulers didnot help curbing their discontent. Consequently, the viceroy / governors of Awadh (1722), Hyderabad (1724) and Bengal (1746) founded independent states.
While they acknowledged Mughal emperor as their symbolic political sovereign but exercised autonomy in the local administration. The emperor couldn’t rely upon them for financial and military help during foreign invasions.
Bengal’s ruler Alivardi Khan stopped paying any tribute to Mughal emperor (1746), as Maratha, English and French became more active in his region. His son Siraj-ud-Daula was defeated by Robert Clive at the battle of Plessey (1757)- which marked the foundation of British rule in India.
Body#2: Fragmented Polity in Deccan and the South
Hyderabad: Viceroy of Deccan Chinquilich Khan had founded the Hyderabad state (1724), but instead of punishing him, the weak Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah granted him the title ‘Asaf Jah’ (1725)- thus Hyderabad became practically an independent state whose rulers recognized the Mughal emperor as their namesake sovereign. After death of the first Nizam, there were constant family feuds for successions. British were involved behind the curtains, and ultimately signed the treaty of friendship at Masulipatanam (1768). Thus, Hyderabad became a puppet in the larger schemes of the East India Company.
Carnatic Region: From Chanda Sahib to Muhammad Ali- puppet rulers of Carnatic state were installed, toppled or assassinated by the British and French generals (1749-52).
Mysore state: gained prominence as Haidar Ali trained and modernized its troop with the help of French (1755). Needless to say, Mughal writ didnot run over this region while British and French fought for its control.
Marathas agreed to protect Mughal emperor Ahmad Shah from internal and external enemies, in-lieu of revenue from certain provinces of North-west. But the Marathas were defeated by Ahmed Shah Abdali in the third battle of Panipat (1761). Nana Saheb Peshwa died upon hearing this news. The succession disputes weakened Peshwas’s hold over Maratha confederacy. Consequently, Peshwa, Holkar and Scindia fell prey to the scheming Europeans.
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