Chapter 6- Rise of Independent Regional Powers
E. My Mixed Bag
1. Read the statements below and choose the correct option.
(A) Assertion: The Governor of Bengal, Murshid Quli Khan, freed himself of imperial control.
(B) Reason: The Mughal empire began to decay in the first half of the 18th century.
(b) A is true and B is the reason for A. ✅
Explanation for students:
As the Mughal Empire began to decline in the first half of the 18th century, its control over
distant provinces weakened. Murshid Quli Khan took advantage of this weakness and freed
Bengal from effective imperial control.
2. Identify the odd one out.
(a) Treaty of Amritsar
(b) Ranjit Singh
(c) Lord Wellesley
(d) Sutluj River
Answer: (c) Lord Wellesley
Reason: The Treaty of Amritsar was associated with Ranjit Singh and the Sutluj River. Lord
Wellesley was not directly associated with this treaty.
3. Arrange the following in chronological order.
(a) Balaji Vishwanath's march to Delhi
(b) Founding of the state of Hyderabad
(c) Aurangzeb's death
(d) Third Battle of Panipat
Correct order:
(c) Aurangzeb's death → (a) Balaji Vishwanath's march to Delhi → (b) Founding of the state
of Hyderabad → (d) Third Battle of Panipat
F. Answer the following questions in one or two words/sentences
1. What followed the disintegration of the Mughal Empire?
The disintegration of the Mughal Empire led to the rise of several independent and semi-
independent regional powers, such as Bengal, Awadh, Hyderabad, the Marathas, Mysore
and the Sikh kingdom.
2. What advantage did Murshid Quli Khan take of the decline in the power of the Mughal
Empire?
Murshid Quli Khan took advantage of the decline of Mughal power to free himself from
imperial control. Though he continued to pay an annual tribute to the Mughal emperor, he
began to rule Bengal independently.
3. How did political and economic stability in Awadh impact cultural development in
Lucknow?
Peace and economic prosperity in Awadh encouraged the growth of a refined Lucknavi
culture. Lucknow developed into an important centre of arts, literature, architecture and
performing arts.
4. How did political instability in the Carnatic benefit the European trading companies?
Political instability and wars of succession in the Carnatic gave European trading companies
opportunities to interfere in its internal affairs and make territorial, commercial and
financial gains.
5. Name any two principal Rajput states that took advantage of the declining power of the
Mughals and asserted their independence.
Any two:
Jaipur (Amber)
Jodhpur (Marwar)
Udaipur (Mewar)
6. Name the signatories of the Treaty of Amritsar.
The Treaty of Amritsar was signed by Ranjit Singh and Lord Minto.
G1. What is the significance of the Third Battle of Panipat?
The Maratha army was decisively defeated by Ahmad Shah Abdali in 1761 at the Third
Battle of Panipat. This ended the Maratha ambition of replacing the Mughal Empire and
created favourable conditions for the English East India Company to emerge as a powerful
contender.
G2. Why did the Rajputs become vulnerable to the selfish designs of the English East India
Company?
Court intrigues, conspiracies, treachery and corruption became common among the Rajput
rulers. These weakened the Rajputs and made them vulnerable to the designs of the English
East India Company.
H. Answer the following questions briefly
1. The second phase of Maratha history was a period of dominance of the Peshwas.
(a) State the circumstances that led to the growth of Peshwa dominance in the Maratha
kingdom.
Shahu, the grandson of Shivaji, became the ruler of the Maratha kingdom with the
help of Balaji Vishwanath.
Shahu appointed Balaji Vishwanath as the Peshwa because of his services and
loyalty.
Shahu was an easy-going and weak ruler, so his position gradually became that of a
ceremonial head.
The real power and authority came to be exercised by the Peshwa, leading to
Peshwa dominance.
(b) Discuss the achievements of:
(i) Baji Rao I
Baji Rao I was a military genius. Under his bold and dynamic leadership, the Maratha
kingdom was transformed into a powerful Maratha Empire through a series of successful
campaigns against the Mughals and other rivals.
(ii) Balaji Baji Rao
Balaji Baji Rao followed a policy of expansion. During his reign, the Maratha Empire reached
the height of its power and glory. In the north, the Marathas became the power behind the
Mughal throne.
(c) How was the Maratha Confederacy established?
The prominent Maratha families were the Sindhias, Bhonsles, Holkars and Gaekwards. The
Peshwa divided former Mughal provinces into spheres of influence and placed them under
these chiefs. The chiefs enjoyed considerable autonomy in their respective regions, while
the Peshwa remained the official head of this loose union, known as the Maratha
Confederacy.
2. With reference to the rise and growth of Bengal as a regional power:
(a) Discuss the achievements of Murshid Quli Khan.
Murshid Quli Khan was an excellent administrator and a man of exceptional ability. He freed
Bengal from external and internal dangers and established stability, peace and prosperity
in the state.
(b) Discuss the rule of Alivardi Khan.
Alivardi Khan understood the importance of promoting trade and encouraged both Indian
and foreign merchants to trade in Bengal. However, he did not allow the French and British
to fortify their factories at Chandernagore and Calcutta respectively.
(c) Explain the failures of the Nawabs of Bengal.
The Nawabs of Bengal:
1. Failed to understand the true nature and motives of the British trading company.
2. Believed that a trading company could never challenge their authority.
3. Made no serious efforts to reorganise and strengthen the army.
4. Suffered from widespread corruption, with even high-ranking officials being
susceptible to bribes.
These weaknesses made Bengal an easy target for the expansionist ambitions of the British.
3. The collapse of the Vijayanagar kingdom was followed by the emergence of the powerful
kingdom of Mysore.
(a) Discuss the collapse of the Vijayanagar Empire.
The powerful Vijayanagar Empire collapsed in the 17th century, leading to the emergence of
several independent kingdoms which were frequently at war with one another. Among
them, Mysore emerged as the most important and powerful kingdom in the south.
(b) Discuss the achievements of Hyder Ali.
In 1761, Hyder Ali overthrew the government of Mysore and established his authority.
Under his leadership, Mysore became a prosperous and powerful state and a formidable
adversary of the English East India Company in southern India.
(c) Discuss the contribution of Tipu Sultan.
Tipu Sultan proved to be a worthy successor to Hyder Ali. He:
Introduced reforms to reorganise the administration.
Modernised the army.
Strengthened the economy.
Encouraged agriculture.
Promoted modern trade and industry.
4. With reference to the rise of independent Rajput states and the establishment of the Sikh
kingdom:
(a) Why did the resurgent Rajputs fail to establish an empire in India?
The Rajputs failed because they were mainly concerned with their individual interests and
goals, which were often conflicting. They wasted their energies in petty quarrels, while
conspiracies and corruption weakened their courts. Therefore, they made no serious effort
to establish a united Rajput Empire.
(b) To what extent was Guru Gobind Singh responsible for the transformation of the
peace-loving Sikhs into a martial race?
Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth and last Sikh Guru, organised the Sikhs into a military
brotherhood called the Khalsa. He inspired the peace-loving Sikhs with a martial spirit and
prepared them to resist the persecution of the Mughals.
(c) Discuss the achievements of Ranjit Singh.
Ranjit Singh was a brilliant leader and the chief of one of the Sikh misls. He:
Brought all the Sikh chiefs west of the Sutlej under his control.
Established his authority over Punjab.
Became the master of Punjab by the end of the 18th century.
Built a powerful Sikh kingdom extending from the Khyber Pass in the north to Sindh
in the south.