1.

Modern History: Decline of Mughal and Maratha Empire

1.1 Successors of Mughal: Detailed Overview
1.2 Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj: History |Biography| Administration
1.3 The Successors of Shivaji
1.4 Maratha Administration
1.5 Peshwas under Maratha Empire: Detailed Overview

2. Modern History: Rise of the Regional States and European Power

2.1 History of the Punjab | Sikh Warrior
2.2 History of Rajpoot’s: Rajput Provinces of India
2.3 History of Mysore State
2.4 The Awadh | Historic Region of Northern India
2.5 Independent Rulers of Bengal during 17th Century
2.6 History of Hyderabad State & Nizams of Hyderabad
2.7 History of Jats State during 17th Century
2.8 Establishment of the Portugal Dominion
2.9 Establishment of the Dutch Dominion
2.10 Arrival of the French and establishment of French East India Company
2.11 Arrival of the British & Establishment of British East India Company

3. Modern History: British Paramountcy and Acts

3.1 Battle of Buxar: Its Causes and Consequences
3.2 Key Points on Subsidiary Alliance
3.3 Doctrine of Lapse: Meaning, Objective & its Impact
3.4 The Regulating Act, 1773: Key Features
3.5 Key features of Pitt’s India Act of 1784
3.6 Charter Act of 1793: Importance & its key Features
3.7 Features of the Charter Act of 1813
3.8 Main features of The Charter Act of 1833
3.9 Charter Act of 1853: Main features
3.10 Government of India Act 1858: Key Features
3.11 Indian Council Act of 1861
3.12 Main Features of Indian Council Act 1892
3.13 Indian council act 1909 | Minto-Morley Reforms: Main Features
3.14 Government of India Act 1935: Main Features
3.15 Government of India Act, 1919 | Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms: Main
Features of the Act

4. Modern History: 18th Century Revolts and Reform

4.1 Ramakrishna Mission and Vivekananda: Contribution in Social Reform
4.2 Ishwar Chandra Vidhya Sagar: Ideas and Teachings
4.3 Vivian Derozio Young Bengal Movement: Ideas, Objectives and Teaching
4.4 Ram Mohan Roy Brahmo Semaj: Significance & Objectives
4.5 The Revolt of 1857: Causes, Nature, Importance and Outcomes
4.6 Social Legislation under British Rule
4.7 Reform Movements in Southern India
 4.8 Reform Movements in Western India
4.9 Syed Ahmad Khan | Aligarh Movement: Consequences & Objectives
4.10 Muslim Socio-Religious Movements in India
4.11 Theosophical Society: Roles and Features of the movement in India

5. Modern History: Indian National Movement

5.1 Development of Education during British Period in India
5.2 Development of Indian Press during British Rule in India
5.3 Indian National Congress: Sessions, Contributions & Resolutions
5.4 Jallianwala Bagh Massacre: Causes & its Impact
5.5 The Moderate: Meaning and their Works
5.6 The Extremist and Partition of Bengal
5.7 Formation of Muslim League and its Objectives
5.8 Anti-Rowlatt Satyagraha
5.9 Swadeshi Movement and its impact on India
5.10 The Anarchical and Revolutionary Crime Act, 1919
5.11 Non-Cooperation Movement |Khilafat Movement: Causes & Results
5.12 Aims of Swaraj Party and its Work
5.13 Muddinman Committee (1924)
5.14 Butler Committee
5.15 The Simon Commission: Report & Recommendations
5.16 Key Features of Nehru Report
5.17 Jinnah's '14 Points'
5.18 Civil Disobedience Movement
5.19 Gandhi-Irwin Pact
5.20 Communal Awards & Poona Pact
5.21 August Offer
5.22 Individual Satyagraha
5.23 Cripps Mission
5.24 Quit India movement
5.25 Subhas Chandra Bose and INA (Azad Hind Fauz)
5.26 Rajagopalachari Formula (1944 AD)
5.27 Desai - Liaquat Proposals (AD 1945)
5.28 Wavell Plan and Shimla Conference
5.29 Cabinet Mission Plan: Impact & Purpose
5.30 Interim Government: First Government of Independent India
5.31 The Constituent Assembly of India: Features & its Committees
5.32 Indian Independence Act 1947|Lord Mountbatten Plan: Main Features

Successors of Mughal: Detailed Overview

The death of Aurangzeb led the foundation of decline of the mighty Mughal
Emperor and it was happened due to prolong war of succession between his three
sons- Muazzam, Azam and Kam Baksh. They were assigned at different region
for administrative purposes- Muazzam as Governor of Kabul, Azam of Gujarat,
and Kam Baksh of Bijapur which created differences between them that causes
faction on succession. The war of succession after Aurangzeb’s death in later
Mughal is discussed below:
Successors of Mughal Empire
Muazzam 'Bahadur Shah I' (AD 1707-1712)
 He was popularly known as Shah Alam I and called Shahi-i- Bekhabar
by Khafi Khan due to his appeasement parties by grants of title and
rewards.
 He was ascended himself on the throne in 1707 after killing his two
brothers, and defeating Kam Baksh in the Battle of Jajau. He was the
last Mughal who enjoyed all the authority in real term.
 He tried to create affinity between Sikh and Maratha. He granted the
right to collect Sardesh Mukhi of Deccan but not Chauth to the
Marathas.
 A fresh war of succession had started after the death of Muazzam
between his sons- Jahander Shah, Azim-us Shah, Rafi-us Shah and
Jahan Shah.
Jahander Shah (AD 1712-1713)
 He was ascended himself on the throne after killing his three brothers
with the help of Zulfikar Khan who was the leader of Irani Party in
Mughals Court.
 He was puppet of Zulfikar Khan who acts as the defacto ruler which
led the foundation of the concept of king makers. He was also under
the influence of his mistress Lal Kunwar which reminded the style of
Nur Jahan.
 He gave the title of ‘Mirza Raja’ to Jai Singh of Malwa and ‘Maharaja’
to Ajit Singh of Marwar.
 His step of giving grants of Chauth and Sardesh Mukhi to Marathas led
the foundation of weakening Mughal domination.
 He encouraged Ijara System (the revenue farming/ contract farming
and abolished Jazia).
 He was the first Mughal ruler who killed by Sayyid brothers-
Abdulllah Khan and Hussain Ali (were the Hindustani Party leaders) in
captivity.

Farrukhsiyar (AD 1713-1719)

 He was known as ‘Sahid-i-Mazlum’ and son of Azim-us-Shah.
 He ascended himself on the throne with help of Sayyid brothers-
Abdulllah Khan and Hussain Ali (were the Hindustani Party leaders).
 He assigned the duty of Deccan’s governor to Chin Quilch Khan who
was better known ‘Nizam-ul-Mulk’, later who laid the foundation of
independent state of Hyderabad.
 Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath visited in his court to take grant for
collecting Chauth and Sardesh Mukhi on Maratha land.
  Banda Bahadur was captured and put to death in 1715 during his reign.
Rafi-ud-Darajat (AD 1719)
 He was one of the Mughal rulers who ruled very short period of merely
a few months.
 During the course of Revolt of Nikusiyyar, he captures the fort of Agra
and declared himself as a ruler.
Rafi-ud-Daula (AD 1719)
 He was popularly known as ‘Shah Jahn II’.
 During his reign, Ajit Singh took back his widow daughter from
Mughal haram and later she converted to Hindu.
Muhammed Shah (AD 1719-48)
 His name was Roshan Akhtar who was ineffective, pleasure-seeking
Mughal emperor of India. Due to his pleasure-loving attitude, he was
also called Rangila.
 During his reign, Maratha under Baji Rao for the first in Mughal
history raided in Delhi.
 Nadir Shah of Persia invaded with the help of Sadat Khan who
defeated Mughal army at the Battle of Karnal during reign.

Ahmed Shah (AD 1748- 1754)

 Ahmed Shah Abdali, the former general of Nadir Shah who invaded
India five times during reign.
 He was over throne by his wazir Imad-ul Malik and placed Alamgir II
as ruler.
Alamgir (AD 1754-1759)
 He was called ‘Azizuddin’.
 During his reign, the Battle of Plassey took place.
 He was over throne by his wazir Imad-ul Malik and placed Shah Alam
II as ruler.

Shah Alam II (AD 1759-1806)

 He was popularly known as ‘Ali Gauhar’ who was defeated in the
Battle of Buxar in 1764.
 During his reign, the third Battle of Panipat took place.
 Till 1772, he gave all his Diwani rights of Bihar, Bengal and Orissa but
after 1772 with the help of Mahaji Scindia, he gets back all his Diwani
rights.
  He was the first Mughal ruler who becomes East India Company
Pensioner.

Akbar II (AD 1806- 1837)

 He was the first Mughal ruler who was under the British protection.
 During his tenure, Mughal Empire shrinks to Red Fort only.

Bahadur Shah (AD1837- 1862)

 He was the son of Akbar II and Rajput princess Lal Bai and also was
the last ruler Mughal Empire.
 During his reign, 1857 revolt took place; he was behaved to Rangoon
as captive where he was died in 1862.
 He was very good Urdu poet and his pen name was Zafar.

Causes of Mughal’s Decline

The decline of Mughal Empire was not sudden but gradual process of fused
administrative action. The following were the main causes of decline:
1. The Vastness of the Empire: It was not possible to rule over area without
any cooperative federalism. Hence, the Empire began to sink due to its
own reason.
2. Centralized Administration: The vast Empire cannot be rule without
decentralization and their coordination.
3. Responsibility of Aurangzeb: His religious policy, Rajput Policy, and
Deccan Policy led disappointments to his subjects who made way of
disintegration.
4. Wars of Succession: Prolong war of succession fractured the
administrative unit of Mughal’s.
5. Weakness of the Nobility: Mughal’s noble was well known for their
loyalty but war of successor degenerated the nobility.
The Mughal Empire began to decline after the death of Aurangzeb. The
declining prospect of Mughal rule was knelled by quick succession and also
war of succession.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj: Biography, History and Administration
 Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was a legendary personage in Indian
history. He was born on 19 February, 1630 in the Shivneri fort. On 19
February every year, Shivaji Jayanti is celebrated with great
enthusiasm.
 Shivaji Maharaj was the warrior king and famous for his bravery,
tactics and administrative skills. He always focussed on Swarajya and
Maratha heritage. He was the descendant of the 96 Maratha Clans
well known as 'Kshatriyas' or brave fighters.
 He was the son of Shahji Bhosle and Jija Bai. He was brought up at
Poona under the supervision of his mother and Brahmin Dadaji
Konda-dev who made an expert soldier and an efficient administrator.
His administration was largely influenced by Deccan administrative
practices. He appointed eight ministers who were called
‘Astapradhan’ who assists him in the administrative helm of affairs.
 The beginning of the 17th century witnessed the rise of new Warrior
class Marathas when the Bhonsle family of the Poona district got
military as well as a political advantage by the Ahmadnagar kingdom
that gets the advantage of being local. Therefore, they took privileges
and recruited a large number of Maratha sardas and soldiers in their
armies. Shivaji was the son of Shahji Bhosle and Jija Bai. Shivaji was
brought up at Poona under the supervision of his mother and an able
Brahmin Dadaji Konda-dev. Dadaji Konda-dev made Shivaji an expert
soldier and an efficient administrator. He also came under the religious
influence of Guru Ramdas, which made him proud of his motherland.

List of Battles fought by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

 Shivaji Maharaj build Maratha Empire and several battles were fought
in his reign. In 1674, he founded an independent Maratha kingdom
with Raigad as its capital.
 He was a warrior and a Maratha king who had the utmost courage to
stand against the Mughal rule. His original name was Shivaji Bhosle
but due to his administration and leadership he earned the title of
"Chhatrapati" or the "Chief of the Kshatriyas".
 Battle of Pratapgad: Fought on November 10, 1659, at the fort of
Pratapgad near the town of Satara, Maharashtra, India between the
forces of the Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the
Adilshahi general Afzal Khan.
  Battle of Kolhapur: Fought on December 28, 1659, near the city of
Kolhapur, Maharashtra between the Maratha Chhatrapati Shivaji and
the Adilshahi forces.
 Battle of Pavan Khind: Fought on July 13, 1660, at a mountain pass
in the vicinity of fort Vishalgad, near the city of Kolhapur,
Maharashtra, India between the Maratha Sardar Baji Prabhu
Deshpande and Siddi Masud of Adilshah.
 Battle of Chakan: Fought between the Maratha Empire and the
Mughal Empire in the year 1660.
 Battle of Umberkhind: Fought on 2 February 1661, between the
Maratha under Chhatrapati Shivaji and the Kartalab Khan of Mughals.
 Sacking of Surat: Fought on January 5, 1664, near the city of Surat,
Gujarat, India between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Inayat Khan, a
Mughal captain.
 Battle of Purandar: Fought between the Mughal Empire and Maratha
Empire in 1665.
 Battle of Sinhagad: Fought on 4 February, 1670 on the fort of
Sinhagad near the city of Pune, Maharashtra, India between Tanaji
Malusare, a commander of Maratha ruler Shivaji Maharaj and
Udaybhan Rathod, fort keeper under Jai Singh I who was a Mughal
Army Chief.
 Battle of Kalyan: Fought between 1682 and 1683 in which Bahadur
Khan of the Mughal Empire defeated the Maratha army and took over
Kalyan.
 Battle of Bhupalgarh: Fought between the Mughal and Maratha
empires in 1679 in which Mughal defeated the Marathas.
 Battle of Sangamner: Fought between the Mughal Empire and
Maratha Empire in 1679. This was the last battle in which the Maratha
King Shivaji fought.

Important events in Shivaji’s Life

1. Conquest of Torana: It was the first fort captures by Shivaji as Chieftain of
Marathas which led the foundation of his ruling attributes of valour and
determination at the age of 16. This conquest drives him to capture another
like Raigarh and Pratapgarh. Due to these conquests, the Sultan of Bijapur was
getting panic and he put Shahji, Shivaji's father in prison. In AD 1659, Shivaji
again tried to attack Bijapur then the Sultan of Bijapur sent his general, Afzal
Khan, to capture Shivaji. But Shivaji managed to escape and killed him with a
deadly weapon called Baghnakh or the tiger's claw. Finally, in 1662, the
Sultan of Bijapur made a peace treaty with Shivaji and made him an
independent ruler of his conquered territories.
2. Conquest of Kondana fort: It was under the control of Nilkanth Rao. It was
fought between Tanaji Malusare, a commander of Maratha ruler Shivaji and
Udaybhan Rathod, fort keeper under Jai Singh I.
 3. Coronation of Shivaji: In AD 1674, Shivaji declared himself as an
independent ruler of Maratha Kingdom and crowned as Chhatrapati at
Raigarh. His coronation symbolises the rise of people who challenges the
legacy of Mughal’s. After the coronation, he gets the title of ‘Haidava
Dharmodharka’ (Protector of Hindu faith) of the newly formed state of
Hindavi Swarajya. This coronation gives a legitimate right to collect land
revenue and levy tax on the people.
4. Alliance with Qutub Shahi rulers Golconda: With the help of this alliance,
he led the campaign into Bijapur Karanataka (AD 1676-79) and conquered
Gingee (Jingi), Vellore and many forts in Karnataka.

Shivaji’s administration
Shivaji’s administration was largely influenced by Deccan administrative practices.
He appointed eight ministers who were called ‘Astapradhan’ who assists him in the
administrative helm of affairs.
1. Peshwa was the most important ministers who looked after the finance and
general administration.
2. Senapati (sari-i-naubat) was one of the leading Marathas chiefs which were
basically posted of honour.
3. The Majumdar was an accountant.
4. The Wakenavis is one who looks after the intelligence, post and household
affairs.
5. The Surnavis or chitnis assist the king with his correspondence.
6. The Dabir was the master of ceremonies and helps the king in his dealing
with foreign affairs.
7. The Nayayadish and Punditrao were in charge of justice and charitable
grants.
8. He levies the tax on the land which was one-fourth of the land revenue i.e.
Chauth or Chauthai.
9. He was not only proved to be an able general, a skillful tactician, and a shrewd
diplomat, he also laid the foundation of a strong state by curbing the power of
the Deshmukh.
Hence, the rise of Marathas was due to economic, social, political and
institutional factors. To that extent, Shivaji was a popular king who
represented the assertion of popular will in the area against Mughal
encroachment. Although, Marathas were ancient tribes but17th century gave
them space to declare themselves as ruler.

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