The Mughal Bengal

Mughal dynasty ruled most of northern India from the early 16th to the mid-18th century. After
that time it continued to exist as a considerably reduced and increasingly powerless entity until the
mid-19th century. The Mughal dynasty was notable for its more than two centuries of effective
rule over much of India; for the ability of its rulers, who through seven generations maintained a
record of unusual talent; and for its administrative organization.
Babur and the establishment of the Mughals
Babur was the first Mughal emperor. After conquering Kabul and Ghazni, he turned to the
southeast towards India to have an empire of his own. Having secured the Punjab, Babur advanced
toward Delhi, gathering support from many Delhi nobles. He routed two advance troop contingents
of Ibrahim Lodi, Delhi’s sultan, and met the sultan’s main army at the First Battle of Panipat. By
April 1526 he was in control of Delhi and Agra and held the keys to conquer Hindustan. He died
near Lahore in December 1530. Babri Mosque was built by Babur.
Humayun (1530-1556)
Humayun occupied Gujarat in 1535. Meanwhile, an Afghan soldier, Sher Shah of Sur, had
consolidated his power in Bihar and Bengal. He defeated Humayun at Chausa in 1539 and at
Kannauj in 1540, expelling him from India. Taking advantage of civil wars among the descendants
of Sher Shah, Humayun captured Lahore in February 1555, and, after defeating Sikandar Sur, the
rebel Afghan governor of the Punjab, at Sirhind, he recovered Delhi and Agra that July. Humayun
was seriously injured by falling down the staircase of his library. His tomb in Delhi, built several
years after his death, is the first of the great Mughal architectural masterpieces; it was designated
a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993.
Akbar the Great and the consolidation of the empire
Within a few months of Humayun’s death, his governors lost several important cities and regions,
including Delhi itself, to Hemu, a Hindu minister who had claimed the throne for himself.
Humayun’s son Akbar (reigned 1556–1605), under the guidance of the regent Bayram Khan,
defeated Hemu at the Second Battle of Panipat (1556), which commanded the route to Delhi, and
thereby turned the tide in Hindustan to the Mughal dynasty’s favor. Although Akbar inherited an
empire in shambles, he proved an extremely capable ruler. His expansion and absorption of vast
territories established an empire across northern and parts of central India; at his death in 1605 the
empire extended from Afghanistan to the Bay of Bengal and southward to what is now Gujarat
state and the northern Deccan region (peninsular India).
The political, administrative, and military structures that he created to govern the empire were the
chief factor behind its continued survival for another century and a half. One of the notable features
of Akbar’s government was the extent of Hindu, and particularly Rajput, participation. Rajput
princes attained the highest ranks, as generals and as provincial governors, in the Mughal service.
Discrimination against non-Muslims was reduced by abolishing the taxation of pilgrims and the
tax payable by non-Muslims (jizyah) in lieu of military service. Yet Akbar was far more successful
than any previous Muslim ruler in winning the cooperation of Hindus at all levels in his
administration. The further expansion of his territories gave them fresh opportunities. The
incorporation of the zealously independent Hindu Rajput’s inhabiting the rugged hilly Rajputana
region came about through a policy of conciliation and conquest. When in 1562 Raja Bihari Mal
of Amber (now Jaipur), offered Akbar his daughter in marriage, Akbar accepted the offer. The raja
acknowledged Akbar’s suzerainty, and his sons prospered in Akbar’s service. However, Akbar
showed no mercy to those who refused to acknowledge his supremacy; after protracted fighting in
Mewar, Akbar captured the historic fort of Chitor (now Chittaurgarh) in 1568 and massacred its
inhabitants. Meanwhile, Akbar needed a way to maintain his status as a Muslim ruler while
eliciting active support from his now predominantly non-Muslim subjects. In addition to canceling
the jizyah, he abolished the practice of forcibly converting prisoners of war to Islam and
encouraged Hindus as his principal confidants and policy makers. He had by then also undertaken
a number of stern measures to reform the administration of religious grants, which were now
available to learned and pious men of all religions, including Hindu pandits, Jain and Christian
missionaries, and Parsi priests. The emperor created a new order commonly called the Dīn-e Ilāhī
(“Divine Faith”), which was modeled on the Muslim mystical Sufi brotherhood but was devised
with the object of forging the diverse groups in the service of the state into one cohesive political
community. Other notable features of Akbar’s government included the streamlining of both
military and civil administration. He consolidated military ranks into a standard system under his
authority, and regular checks on rank holders (manṣabdārs) ensured a reasonable correlation
between their obligations and their income. He also seems to have instituted more efficient revenue
assessment and collection in an effort to safeguard the peasants from excessive demands and the
state from loss of money. Toward the end of his reign, Akbar embarked on a fresh round of
conquests. The Kashmir region was subjugated in 1586, Sindh in 1591, and Kandahār
(Afghanistan) in 1595. By 1601 Khandesh, Berar, and part of Ahmadnagar had been added to
Akbar’s empire. His last years were troubled by the rebellious behaviour of his son Prince Salīm
(later the emperor Jahāngīr), who was eager for power.
Jahangir
Akbar’s son Jahangir (reigned 1605–27) continued both his father’s administrative system and his
tolerant policy toward Hinduism. His most significant achievement in his own right was the
cessation of the conflict with Mewar, a Rajput principality that had eluded Akbar’s subjugation.
In 1611 he married Mehr al-Nesaʾ, who was afterward known as Nur Jahan. His third son, Prince
Khurram (later the emperor Shah Jāhan), married her niece Arjumand Bānū Begum (Mumtaz
Maḥal) the following year. When Jahangir left Agra in 1613 for several years to pursue campaigns
in the south, Nur Jahan—along with her father, Iʿtimad al-Dawlah (Mirza Ghiyas Beg); her brother
Aṣaf Khan (Arjumand’s father); and her niece’s husband, Prince Khurram— became heavily
influential in the royal court. After Jahangir’s return, his health deteriorated. Nur Jahan took charge
of many of the ruler’s duties and even issued farmans (sovereign mandates) in her name. But, after
her attempt to arrange her son-in-law as Jahangir’s successor, she stoked the ire of Prince Khurram
and Aṣaf Khan. Upon Jahangir’s death, she was held in confinement for the remainder of her life
Shah Jahan – Built the Famous Mughal Architecture
 The fifth Mughal emperor was Shah Jahan.
 Shah Jahan reigned from 1628 to 1658.
 Shah Jahan commissioned the best known Mughal architecture, the Taj Mahal in Agra.
 The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) recognized the
Taj Mahal as a World Heritage Site in 1983.
 Red Fort – UNESCO designated it as a World Heritage Site in 2007. It was built by Shah Jahan,
when he decided to move the capital from Agra to Delhi. It was the residence of the Mughal rulers.
 Shalimar Gardens – It is a 40 acre garden built by Shah Jahan in 1642. It was declared a World
Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1981
Aurangzeb
 Aurangazeb was the sixth Mughal emperor. He kept facing stiff resistance from the Marathas.
 Aurangazeb ruled over the Indian subcontinent for a period of 49 years.
 Aurangazeb established Sharia Law in the Indian subcontinent.
Decline of the Mughal Empire
The period of the Great Mughals, which began in 1526A.D. with Babur’s accession to the throne,
ended with the death of Aurangzeb in 1707A.D. Aurangzeb’s death marked the end of an era in
Indian history. When Aurangzeb died, the empire of the Mughals was the largest in India. Yet,
within about fifty years of his death, the Mughal Empire disintegrated. The sign of degeneration
were unmistakably visible in the institutions and systems intrinsic to its cultural character and
administrative policies. The general rot that had begun to set in during the reign of Aurangzeb
could not be curtailed by his weak successors, and the recurrent war of succession worsened the
situation further. The Mughal army too was weakened by a dearth of able commanders; there was
no further introduction of military reforms or new technologies as had been done by Akbar. The
political situation in Northern India clearly indicated the waning of the glorious days of the Mughal
Empire There are several reasons identified by historians for the decline and disintegration of the
mighty Mughal Empire causes of the decline of the Mughal Empire:
Weak Successors:
The Mughals did not follow any law of succession like the law of primogeniture. Consequently,
each time a ruler died, a war of succession between the brothers for the throne started. This
weakened the Mughal Empire, especially after Aurangzeb. The nobles, by siding with one
contender or the other, increased their own power. The successors of Aurangzeb were weak and
became victims of the intrigues and conspiracies of the faction-ridden nobles. They were
inefficient generals and incapable of suppressing revolts. The absence of a strong ruler, an efficient
bureaucracy and a capable army had made the Mughal Empire weak.
Degeneration of the Mughal Nobility:
The history of India of the time of Akbar, Jahangir and Shahjahan was made by Bairam Khan
,Munim Khan, Muzaffar Khan and Abdur Rahim Khan Khana , Itmad Ud daulah and Mahababat
Khan, Asaf Khan and Saadulla khan. But with the decline in the character of the later Mughal
Emperors decline also set in the character of the nobility wealth and leisure which the foreign
Muslims acquired in India fostered luxury and sloth and the presence of many women in their
harems encouraged debauchery, which, in their turn, undermined their character and love of
adventure. Consequently, physical, moral and intellectual degeneration overtook the governing
classes.
Aurangzeb’s Religious persecution of the Hindus:
Aurangzeb failed to realize that the vast Mughal Empire depended on the willing support of the
people. He lost the support of the Rajputs who had contributed greatly to the strength of the
Empire. They had acted as pillars of support, but Aurangzeb’s policy turned them to bitter foes.
The wars with the Sikhs, the Marathas, the Jats and the Rajputs had drained the resources of the
Mughal Empire
Invasions:
Foreign invasions sapped the remaining strength of the Mughals and hastened the process of
disintegration. The invasions of Nadir Shah and Ahmad Shah Abdali resulted in further drainage
of wealth. These invasions shook the very stability of the empire.
Size of the Empire and Challenge from Regional Powers:
The Mughal Empire had become too large to be controlled by any ruler from one centre i.e. Delhi.
The Great Mughals were efficient and exercised control over ministers and army, but the later
Mughals were poor administrators. As a result, the distant provinces became independent. The rise
of independent states led to the disintegration of the Mughal Empire.
Economic decline
The long wars and other luxurious expenses had a toll on the kingdom’s treasury. Shah Jahan’s
ambitious idea of building the Taj Mahal had depleted the resources, and Aurangzeb’s war in the
south didn’t help matters. The production of crops fell as the revenue demand rose. Battles were
fought to choose the successors as well. All these incidents led to the Mughal Empire becoming
bankrupt. The economic collapse was more evident during the rule of Alamgir II. Their bankruptcy
went on for 50 years. The fall of the Mughals was a result of numerous events that took place
during an extended period of time and the wrong decisions of the emperors. However, the major
issues that were especially responsible for this fall were the wrong choice of successors, in-fighting
among nobles, deterioration of the army, economic decline, attempts to seize the empire through
foreign invasion, and the lack of administrative skills that resulted in the rise of independent
provinces. If you focus closely on these issues, the fall of the Mughals could be understood.
Battle of Plassey

The Battle of Plassey was fought between the East Indian Company forces under the command of
Robert Clive and Siraj-ud-Daulah, Nawab of Bengal, on June 23, 1757, in the present-day state of
West Bengal, India. It was a significant battle during the period of British colonization in India
and had far-reaching consequences for the British East India Company’s control over the Indian
subcontinent. Since the East India Company was Imperial and mercantile in nature, they drastically
misused the trade privileges that adversely affected Nawab’s financial status, which infuriated
Siraj-udDaulah.

The major highlights of the Battle of Plassey are given below.

Year 1757

Fought Between East Indian Company & Nawab of Bengal

Result British East India Company won.

Nawab of Bengal During Battle Siraj-ud-Daulah

Causes of Battle of Plassey

The Battle of Plassey was primarily caused by a combination of political, economic, and regional
factors. Here are the main causes leading to the battle:

1. British East India Company’s Expansion: The British East India Company had been
gradually expanding its influence in India since the early 18th century. They sought to establish
control over lucrative trade routes, establish their own territories, and secure favorable economic
conditions. The Company’s growing power and territorial ambitions threatened the existing
regional powers.

2. Political Rivalries: The Battle of Plassey was also driven by political rivalries among Indian
rulers. Siraj-ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal, was concerned about the British encroachment on
his authority and feared their growing influence. He saw the British East India Company as a threat
to his rule and sought to resist their expansion. On the other hand, there were influential Indian
nobles and commanders who had grievances against the Nawab and were willing to ally with the
British.
3. Economic Factors: Bengal was a highly prosperous region known for its fertile lands,
agriculture, and thriving industries. The British East India Company sought to gain control over
Bengal’s wealth and resources, including its textile industry and the revenue from the lucrative
trade in commodities such as silk, cotton, and indigo. Economic interests played a significant role
in motivating the British to confront the Nawab of Bengal which led to the Battle of Plassey.

4. Diplomatic Maneuvers: The British employed diplomatic strategies to weaken the Nawab’s
position. They formed alliances and secured the support of dissatisfied Indian nobles, including
Mir Jafar, who had aspirations to become the Nawab himself. By exploiting the internal rivalries
and discontent within Nawab’s court, the British sought to divide and weaken his forces.

5. Military Advantage: Although the British East India Company had a smaller army compared
to Nawab’s forces, they possessed certain military advantages. The British had better -trained
troops, disciplined soldiers, and superior artillery, which gave them an edge on the battlefield.
They also employed innovative military tactics, such as the effective use of artillery and infantry
formations.

Consequences of Battle of Plassey

The Consequences of the Battle of Plassey can be categorized into political, economic, and cultural
aspects.

Political Impact of the Plassey Battle

 The Battle of Plassey started the process of colonialization of India by the British Company.

 The British Company established its political influence over Bengal not directly but indirectly
by putting Nawab Mir Jafar as a puppet on the throne of Bengal.

 British Company started using Bengal as a launching pad to manifest his Imperial ambition.
Economic Consequences of Battle of Plassey

 The drain of wealth started first by plundering, then misuse of privileges etc.

 Mir Jafar gave the Diwani right 25(twenty-five) paragana to the British Company. And now the
revenue from this region was to go in the favour of the British Company.
 Mir Jafar also rewarded a huge amount of money not only to Lord Clive but also to other British
officers.

 After the Battle of Plassey, British company maintained a monopoly over trade and commerce
in Bengal.

 Thus Bengal, once a rich province of the Mughals Empire, started beginning a region of Hunger,
Famine, and Deprivation.

Cultural Impact:

The Battle of Plassey exposed the moral weakness of the Indian people and made it clear to the
British Company that India could be conquered with the help of the Indian people because they
had no conception of nationalism.

Why is the Battle of Plassey Significant?

The Battle of Plassey is considered important as it led to the transfer of power. After the Plassey
war, Mir Jafar became a Nawab of Bengal. Mir Jafar was a puppet Nawab, and the company used
him just to meet its financial demand. So that company could promote its colonial interest very
soon. Mir Jafar was not able to meet the company’s greedy demands because the company itself
was Imperial in nature.

As a result, Mir Jafar started losing his relevance in the imperial game of the company. Thus an
allegation was raised against him that he was making a conspiracy with Dutch, but the reality was
that he failed to pay the huge amount of revenue demanded by the company.

As a result, the British company made a compromise with Mir Kasim; thereby, the transfer of
power took place in September 1760. This transfer of power was considered a kind of revolution
in Bengal by some historians.

The scenario of Bengal after the historical Battle of Plassey:

 The event led to the Battle of Buxar in 1764.

 Transfer of power from Mir Jafar to Mir Kasim.

 Mir Kasim was then the new Nawab of Bengal.