Decline of Mughals

Date/Period Event

1664–1708 Guru Gobind Singh transformed the Sikhs into a political and military force

1689 Shahu (grandson of Shivaji) was held captive/a prisoner by Aurangzeb.

1707 Death of Aurangzeb; the Mughal administration was still efficient and the army strong at this time.
The remnants of the Royal treasure, amounting to some 13 crores of rupees, were noted.

1707 Bahadur Shah emerged victorious in the war of succession.

1707–1712 Reign of Bahadur Shah.

1711 Private arrangement concluded between Daud Khan Panni (Zulfiqar Khan's deputy in the Deccan) and
the Maratha King Shahu.

1712 Death of Bahadur Shah plunged the Empire once again into civil war. The Sikhs temporarily
recovered the fort of Lohgarh.

January 1713 Jahandar Shah's reign ended when he was defeated at Agra by Farrukh Siyar.

1713–1719 Reign of Farrukh Siyar.

1713–1720 The powerful Saiyid brothers (Abdullah Khan and Husain Ali Khan Baraha) wielded administrative
power as Wazir and Mir Bakshi.

1715 The Sikh leader Banda Bahadur was captured and put to death.

1719 The Saiyid brothers deposed and killed Farrukh Siyar.

1719 The Saiyid brothers raised the 18-year old Muhammad Shah (Rangeela) to the throne.

1719–1748 Long reign of Muhammad Shah.

1720 The Saiyid brothers were overthrown by a powerful group of jealous nobles. Balaji Vishwanath
(Peshwa since 1713) died, succeeded by Baji Rao I.

1722 Nizam-ul-Mulk became Wazir (Chief Minister) of the Empire.

October 1724 Nizam-ul-Mulk relinquished his office as Wazir, proceeding South to found the state of Hyderabad
in the Deccan, marking the physical break-up of the Mughal Empire.

End of 1738 Nadir Shah (Shah of Persia) entered Indian territory.

13th February Nadir Shah inflicted a crushing defeat on the Mughal army at Karnal; Emperor Muhammad Shah was
1739 taken prisoner.

1739 Muhammad Shah was compelled to cede all provinces west of the River Indus to Nadir Shah. Nadir
Shah carried away the Koh-i-nur diamond and the Peacock Throne.

April 1740 Baji Rao I (Peshwa) died.

1748 Emperor Muhammad Shah died. Ahmad Shah Abdali (one of Nadir Shah's generals) began
repeated invasions, following his establishment of authority over Afghanistan.
1748–1767 Ahmad Shah Abdali repeatedly invaded and plundered northern India, reaching Delhi and Mathura.

1749 Maratha King Shahu died.

1760 The Nizam of Hyderabad was defeated at Udgir and compelled to cede vast territories yielding Rs. 62
lakhs annually.

14 January 1761 Third Battle of Panipat: Ahmad Shah Abdali defeated the Marathas, dealing a big blow to their
ambition of dominating the country.

June 1761 Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao died.

1765–1800 The Sikhs brought the Punjab and Jammu under their control.

1759 Shah Alam II ascended the throne, spending initial years wandering away from his capital.

1764 Shah Alam II joined Mir Qasim of Bengal and Shuja-ud-Daula of Avadh in the Battle of Buxar,
where they were defeated by the British.

1772 Shah Alam II returned to Delhi under the protective arm of the Marathas.

1803 Delhi was occupied by the British army, and the Mughal Emperor was reduced to a mere pensioner of
a foreign power.

1809 The British forbade Ranjit Singh (Sikh chief) to cross the Sutlej River.

Rise of Regional States in 18th Century India

Mughal Empire

Successor States Independent Kingdoms New States

Bengal Mysore Maratha

Awadh Rajput states Jat states
Hyderabad Kerala Sikhs

I. Categories and General Characteristics

Category Definition/Nature Examples Key Features/Limitations

(Prelims Focus)

Successor Mughal provinces that broke Hyderabad, Did not challenge the nominal
States away, where governors Bengal, Awadh. sovereignty of the Mughal
established virtually ruler.
independent/hereditary
 authority.

Independent States that came into Mysore, Kerala, Emerged primarily in the south
Kingdoms existence due to the Rajput States. and west during the decline of
destabilisation of Mughal Mughal influence.
control over provinces.

New States States established by rebels The Maratha, These groups defied Mughal
against the Mughal Empire. the Sikh, the Jat authority in their bid to create
states; Afghan new kingdoms.
states
(Rohilakhand,
Farukhabad).

General The politics of these states N/A Major Limitation: Failed to

Nature were invariably non- replace the Mughal Empire
communal or secular. The with a stable, all-India polity.
polity was regional in Most lacked strong financial,
character. Most rulers administrative, and military
maintained nominal ties with organisation. Were backward
the Mughal imperial in science and technology
authority. (with exceptions like Mysore).

II. Survey of Major Regional Kingdoms

State/Region Founder/Key Establishment Key Features Relevant for Prelims

Rulers Year/Era

Hyderabad Kilich Khan Founded in 1724. a) Departure of Nizam-ul-Mulk from the

(Nizam-ul-Mulk/A Wazir's office to establish Hyderabad
saf Jah). symbolized the physical break-up of the
Mughal Empire.
Wazir of the
Mughal empire b) Nizam-ul-Mulk defeated Mubariz Khan
(1722-24) at the Battle of Shakr-Kheda (1724).

Successor c) Overthrown of Saiyyid brothers

states
d) Tolerant policy towards Hindus- e.g. his
dewan was a Hindu named Puran Chand

Bengal Murshid Kuli Murshid Kuli Murshid Kuli Khan was a capable ruler
Khan (founder). Khan was who made Bengal a prosperous state.
Followed by Shuja- Governor
Alivardi Khan killed Sarfaraz Khan in 1740
ud-din, Sarfaraz (effectively) since
at Gheria to seize power.
Khan, and Alivardi 1717 (Dewan
Khan. since 1700).

Awadh Saadat Khan Founded in 1722. a) Saadat Khan joined the conspiracy
(Burhan-ul-Mulk). against the Saiyid brothers.
b) Committed suicide due to demands from
Nadir Shah.
 c) Succeeded by Safdar Jang.

Mysore Haidar Ali and Emerged as a Haidar Ali gained control over the rich trade
Tipu Sultan. formidable power of the Malabar coast. The state was
in the second half originally ruled by the Wodeyars. The
of the 18th peasantry was protected and prosperous, in
century. contrast to British-occupied lands. Mysore
was one of the few states that later
attempted to modernise.

Kerala Martanda Varma 18th Century. Extended state boundaries from

(Travancore). Kanyakumari to Cochin. Organized his
army along the Western model.
Trivandrum became a center of Sanskrit
scholarship in the latter half of the 18th
century.

Rajput Raja Sawai Jai 18th Century. Rajput rulers were appointed governors of
States Singh of Amber provinces like Agra, Gujarat, and Malwa
(1681–1743). Ajit under Farrukh Siyar and Muhammad Shah.
Singh of Marwar. Sawai Jai Singh was a renowned statesman,
reformer, and man of science (built
astronomical observatories).

Jats Churaman and Declined after the Agriculturist settlers around Delhi,
(Bharatpur) Badan Singh (set death of Suraj Mal Mathura, and Agra. Suraj Mal extended the
up state). Suraj in 1763. state from Ganga in the east to Chambal
Mal (power in the south.
reached zenith).

Marathas Peshwas (under 18th Century (rose Most formidable power and claimed the
Shahu). out of Mughal right to be chief inheritors of Mughal
debris). dominion. Aimed for chauth and
sardeshmukhi throughout India. Their
political ambition was severely checked at
the Third Battle of Panipat (1761).
Divided into major confederacies: Gaekwad
(Baroda), Bhonsle (Nagpur), Holkar
(Indore), and Sindhia (Gwalior).

Afghan Ali Muhammad Mid-18th Century Resulted from Afghan migration into India.
States Khan (following Nadir Rohilakhand was located in the Himalayan
(Rohilakhand). Shah's invasion). foothills.
Mohammad Khan
Bangash
(Farrukhabad).

Sikhs Guru Nanak Gained control of Organized into 12 misls or military

(founder of Punjab and Jammu brotherhoods. Ranjit Singh was the chief of
religion). between 1765 and the Sukerchakia Misl. Their transformation
Consolidated under 1800. into a militant community was begun by
Ranjit Singh. Guru Hargobind.
 Land Revenue Settlement Systems
Permanent Ryotwari System Mahalwari System
Settlement System (mauzawar, malguzari)
Implemented by Lord Cornwallis Thomas Munro Holt Mackenzie
John Shore Alexander Reed Merttins Bird
William Bentinck

Proprietor (right of Zamindars Ryots (cultivators) Dual system-

ownership of land) settlement was done
or collectively with the
Unit for tax whole community as
well as with the
assessment
individual landlords

Revenue settlement
was made with the
proprietor of the estate
but the land revenue
was collected from
individual cultivators

Mahal- a village or a
group of villages
Regions of Initially- Bengal & Madras, Bombay, UP, Punjab, North-
imposition Bihar Coorg, Berar, East West Frontier
Bengal, parts of Provinces (NWFP)
Later on- Orissa, Assam
Banaras, northern
Madras

About 19% of the total About 51% of the total About 30% of the total
area under British area under British area under British
rule rule rule
Nature of revenue Fixed- to be paid Not fixed*- paid Not fixed- revised
directly by the directly by the ryots to periodically on the
zamindar to the EIC the EIC basis of the produce of
a mahal
Could be raised when
production was higher

Revenue/Tax rate
Zamindar allowed to 1792-1855: 1/3rd of the
keep 1/10th – 1/11th of gross produce 50% of the rental
the revenue and the After 1855: 45-55% of value
rest goes to the EIC the net value of the
produce of the land

Settlement period 1790: 10 years Not permanent- could Not permanent

1793: Permanent be revised periodically
Features Creation of a new Influenced by David Village community
type of middlemen Ricardo’s utilitarian considered the owner
called zamindars and ideas and theory of of the land
reducing cultivators rent Individual ownership
 to the position of mere Introduced the rights lay with the
tenants concept of private cultivator
Tax to be collected by property in land Each individual
the zamindar from the Ownership and farmer gave his share
cultivators occupancy rights of of the tax
Zamindar free to sell, land were vested in the Lambardar (village
mortgage, or transfer ryots headman)- responsible
the land; could be In theory, ryots were for collecting the tax
inherited by his heirs allowed to cultivate and making the
Sunset clause (1794): land of their choice payment to the EIC
if the tax due was not but in practice they Concept of average
paid by the sunset of a were more or less rents for different soil
certain date, then the forced to cultivate land classes was introduced
land would be seized even if they did not
by the EIC and want to do so
auctioned off to a new ’Land could be
owner confiscated if the
Zamindar was revenue was not paid
empowered to seize Barren land under
the tenants’ property govt control was
without the permission allowed to be
of the court of law if cultivated but the
they did not pay the revenue generated
tax due on time would have to be
shared with the govt
Shortcomings Tax was fixed at a Overassessment of More was spent for
very high rate and revenue- sometimes the collection than the
could not be changed- revenue rate > land revenue collected
so revenue of the capacity Hardly favoured the
company became Inflexible method of village communities
stagnant collection- often Led to the large-scale
Increased absentee- involved torture to dispossession and
landlordism extract tax impoverishment of the
Gave rise to the Increasing corruption- cultivating
process of officers who came to communities of North
subinfeudation: assess lands were open India
zamindars divided up to being bribed
their estates into small Devaluation of land
lots of land and rented due to high tax and
them out permanently collection related
for a fixed rent harassments made it
Nothing done by the impossible to sell
zamindars to improve
the land or agricultural
system; was solely
focused on rent
extraction
Zamindars did not
issue pattas (written
agreements) to the
cultivators, specifying
what each tenant had
to pay- peasants came
to be at the mercy of
the zamindars
 Large scale
exploitation and
harassment of
peasants- peasanty
was reduced to
serfdom
Year Name Founder
1780 Bengal Gazette James Augustus Hicky
1819 Sambad Kaumudi
1822 Mirat-ul-Akbar Raja Ram Mohan Roy
1853 Hindoo Patriot Madhusudan Ray
1854 Rast Goftar (Gujarati)
Voice of India
Poverty and Un-British Rule in India
The Wants and Means of India Dadabhai Naoroji
The European and Asiatic Races
The Parsee Religion
Poverty of India
The Duties of the Zoroastrians
1858 Som Prakesh
Tattwabodhini Patrika
Sarbashubhankari Patrika
Borno Parichay
Bodhadoy
Charitabali
Kathamala
Betaal Panchavinsati
Banglar Itihaas
Jivancharita Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
Shakuntala
Mahabharata
Seetar Vanavas
Bhrantivilaas
Oti Alpa Hoilo
Aabaar Oti Alpa Hoilo
Brajavilaas
Ratnopariksha
Bidhobabivah on widow’s right to remarry
(1855)
Bahubivah on banning of polygamy (1871)
Balyabivah on the flaws of child marriage.
1862 Indian Mirror N.N. Sen
1868 Amrita Bazar Patrika Sisir Kumar Ghosh and Motilal Ghosh

1871 Tahzib-ul-Akhlaq Sir Syed Ahmed Khan

1878 Hindu Veeraghavacharya and G. Subramania Iyer
Swadeshamitran G. Subramania Iyer

1881 Kesari B.G. Tilak

Mahratta
1888 Sudharak Gopal Ganesh Agarkar
1896 Prabuddha Bharata P. Aiyasami, B. R. Rajam Iyer, G. G.
Narasimhacharya, and B. V. Kamesvara Iyer at
the behest of Swami Vivekananda

1899 Udbodhana Swami Vivekananda

1905 Bande Mataram
New Lamps for Old
The Life Divine
Savitri Aurobindo Ghosh
Essays on the Gita
The Synthesis of Yoga
Defense of Indian Culture
1910 Bombay Chronicle Pheroze Shah Mehta
1911 Comrade Maulana Mohammad Ali
Samachar Furdunjee Marzban
1911 Hitavada Gopal Krishna Gokhale
1912 Al-Balagh
1912 Al-Hilal Abul Kalam Azad
1913 Pratap Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi
1914 New India Annie Besant
1919 Independent Motilal Nehru
1920 Mook Nayak
1927 Bahishkrit Bharat
The Problem of Rupee B.R. Ambedkar
Janata
1924 Hindustan Times Sunder Singh Lyallpuri
1903 Indian Opinion
1919 Young India M. K Gandhi
1929 Nav Jeevan
1932 Harijan
1936 Free Hindustan Tarak Nath Das
1936 Hindustan Dainik
1909 Leader M.M. Malviya
Maryada
Abhyudaya
Towards Struggle
My Picture of Socialism Jayaprakash Narayan
Socialism to Sarvodaya
Reconstruction of Indian Polity

Towards Total Revolution

Peasant Movements

Timeline Features of movements

Pre-1857 Highly localised and isolated
Leaderless mostly
Unorganized
Extremely violent and sporadic
1857-1920s ● Demands of the peasants were mostly centred on economic issues
● Movements were directed against the immediate enemies of the peasant—
foreign planters and indigenous zamindars and moneylenders.
● The struggles were directed towards specific and limited objectives and redressal
of particular grievances.
● Colonialism was not the target of these movements- peasants lacked an adequate
understanding of colonialism
● Objective of these movements was not to end the system of subordination or
exploitation of the peasants.
● Lacked a positive conception of an alternative society
● Territorial reach was limited.
● No continuity of struggle or long-term organisation.
● The peasants developed a strong awareness of their legal rights and asserted
them in and outside the courts
1920s-1947 Deeply influenced by and had a marked impact on the national freedom struggle

Peasant Movements (Pre-1857)

Movement Period Location Key Leaders Causes

Paharias Rebellion 1778 Rajmahal Raja Jagganath British’s forest
Hills clearance policy and
expansion of settled
agriculture
Narkelberia 1782-1831 West Bengal Titu Mir or Mir Nithar Imposition of a
Uprising Ali beard tax on the
Faraizis and indigo
planters

First peasant
uprising against the
British

Later merged into

the Wahabi
movement
Kol Uprising 1831-32 Chotanagpur Buddha Bhagat Leasing out of
and several villages to
Singhbhum non-tribals by the
region (Bihar Raja of Chotanagpur
and Orissa)
Revolted against
the thikadars (tax
collectors)

Forms of rebellion
consisted of attacks
on the properties of
the outsiders but not
their lives (plunder
 and arson)
Pagal Panthis 1825-1835 Hajong and Karam Shah and his son Excessive rent of the
Garo tribes Tipu zamindari system
Faraizi Revolt Eastern Haji Shariatullah and his Expel English from
Bengal son Dudusxw Miyan Bengal
Santhal Rebellion 1855-56 Damin-i-Koh Sidhu and Kanhu Opposed the
or Hul Murmu British’s divide and
rule policy

Open insurrection
against the
zamindars, the
moneylenders and
the colonial state

Led to the creation

of Santhal Pargana
between Bhagalpur
and Birbhum with
special laws

Peasant Movements (1857–1947)

Movement Period Location Key Leaders Key Issues / Outcomes / Key Features
Targets
Indigo Revolt 1859–60 Bengal Digambar European Peasants organized a rent
(Nadia Biswas and planters forcing strike and resisted
Blue Mutiny or district) Bishnu Biswas indigo physical pressure.
Nil Bidroho cultivation over
profitable crops Government notification
(like rice). (1860) ensured ryots could
not be compelled to grow
Planters using indigo, effectively wiping
fraudulent out indigo cultivation in
contracts, Bengal.
physical
intimidation, and
illegal
confinement.
Pabna 1870s and Eastern Shambu Pal, Oppressive Peasants formed agrarian
Agrarian 1880s Bengal Ishan Chandra practices of leagues and relied
Leagues (Yusufshahi Roy, Khoodi zamindars. primarily on legal
Pargana, Mullah Enhanced rents resistance and rent strikes,
Patna beyond legal with minimal violence.
district) limits,
prevention of Supported by Indian
 tenants from intellectuals like Bankim
acquiring Chandra Chatterjee and
occupancy R.C. Dutt.
rights, forcible
evictions, and Led to the passing of the
lengthy Bengal Tenancy Act in
litigation. 1885.
Deccan Riots 1874 Western Heavy taxation Began as a social boycott
India (Poona, under the against moneylenders.
Ahmednagar, Ryotwari
Sholapur, system. Quickly transformed into
Satara) agrarian riots involving
Exploitation by systematic attacks on
"outsider" homes and shops, seizing
moneylenders and burning debt bonds.
(Marwaris or
Gujaratis). Supported by the modern
nationalist intelligentsia of
Conditions Maharashtra.
worsened by
cotton price Resulted in the Deccan
crash (1864), Agriculturists Relief Act
50% land in 1879.
revenue hike
(1867), and bad
harvests.
Kisan Sabha 1918 United High rents, United Provinces Kisan
Movement onwards Provinces summary Sabha founded Feb 1918.
(UP) and evictions
Awadh (bedakhali), Awadh Kisan Sabha (Oct
illegal levies, 1920) asked peasants to
and renewal fees refuse unpaid labour (hari
(nazrana) and begar).
imposed by
taluqdars Medium of protests
(landlords). escalated from mass
mobilisations and
meetings to looting
bazaars and granaries (Jan
1921).

Declined due to
repression and the
Awadh Rent
(Amendment) Act.
Eka Late 1921 Northern UP Leadership Rents 50% Peasants vowed to pay
Movement to March (Hardoi, came from higher than only the recorded rent,
(Unity 1922 Bahraich, Madari Pasi and recorded rates; refuse forced labour, and
Movement) Sitapur) other low-caste oppression by abide by panchayat
figures thikadars decisions. Brought to an
 (revenue end by severe repression
collectors); by authorities in March
practice of share- 1922.
rents.
Mappila 1921 Malabar Grievances of Initially anti-landlord and
Revolt region Muslim tenants anti-government, merging
(Kerala) (Mappilas) with the Khilafat
against mostly agitation.
Hindu landlords
(jenmies), Targets included British
including high authority symbols and
rents, lack of unpopular landlords.
security of
tenure, and Acquired communal
renewal fees. overtones after repression
and isolation from the
Khilafat-Non-Cooperation
Movement.

Ended by December 1921.

Bardoli 1926– Bardoli Vallabhbhai Authorities Peasants resolved to
Satyagraha 1928 taluqa, Surat Patel. decided to refuse payment of the
district increase the land revised assessment.
revenue by 30
per cent. Highly organized
movement (13 chhavanis,
intelligence wing, women
mobilization).

Women of Bardoli gave

Patel the title of “Sardar”.

A committee later found

the hike unjustified and
recommended only 6.03
per cent rise.
Tebhaga September Bengal Organised by Bargardars Central slogan: "nij
Movement 1946 (North the Bengal (share-croppers) khamare dhan tolo" (take
Bengal) Provincial demanded the paddy to one's own
Kisan Sabha tebhaga (two- threshing floor).
thirds’ share) of
the crop, instead Participation primarily by
of the traditional Rajbanshis and Muslims.
one-half share,
from jotedars. Dissipated due to
intensified repression and
legislative promises
(Bargardari Bill).
Telangana 1946– Hyderabad Gross Biggest peasant guerrilla
Movement 1948 State exploitation by war of modern Indian
(Telangana deshmukhs, history. Led by
region) jagirdars, and Communist-led guerrillas.
doras Positive achievements
(landlords), included abolition of vethi
including forced and forced labour, raised
labour (vethi) agricultural wages, and
and illegal restored illegally seized
exactions. lands. Shook the feudal
regime of India’s largest
princely state.
Nineteenth-Century Socio-Religious Reform Movements
in India
Movement / Key Founding Core Ideology and Major Reforms
Organization Leader(s) Year & Focus and Activities
Location
Brahmo Raja Founded as Advocated Crusaded
Samaj Rammohan Brahmo monotheism based against sati (led
Roy (Father Sabha in on reason and the to Government
of Indian August 1828. Vedas/Upanishads. Regulation of
Renaissance) Sought to purify 1829 declaring it
Hinduism. a crime).
Believed in the Denounced
modern scientific polytheism, idol
approach and social worship, and
equality. criticized the
caste system.
Promoted
modern
education (e.g.,
Vedanta College
1825).
Prarthana Atmaram 1867 in Emphasized Disapproved of
Samaj Pandurang; Bombay. monotheism. the caste system,
Mahadeo Strongly attached promoted
Govind to the bhakti cult of women's
Ranade, R.G. Maharashtra. education and
Bhandarkar, Focused on social widow
N.G. reforms via remarriage, and
Chandavarkar. education and raised the age of
persuasion. marriage.
Young Bengal Henry Vivian Late Radical and Demanded
Movement Derozio (First 1820s/early rational. induction of
nationalist 1830s. Encouraged pupils Indians in higher
poet of to think freely, services,
modern India). question authority, protection of
and love liberty and ryots from
equality. zamindars,
freedom of the
press, and trial by
jury.
Satyashodhak Jyotiba Phule 1873 in Fought powerfully Spread education
Samaj (Truth (‘Mahatma’) . Maharashtra against upper among women
Seekers’ . caste domination and lower castes .
Society) and brahminical Phule opened a
supremacy . girls’ school in
Aimed for the Poona . Works
complete abolition included
 of the caste Gulamgiri .
system .
Arya Samaj Dayananda 1875 in Revivalist in form Launched a
Saraswati Bombay. but reformist in frontal attack on
(Mulshankar). content . Took idolatry,
inspiration from the polytheism, caste
Vedas, considering rigidities, and
them ‘infallible,’ untouchability.
and gave the slogan Advocated Vedic
“Back to the chaturvarna
Vedas” . Vision based on
included a occupation/merit
classless, casteless, . Established the
united India . Dayananda
Anglo-Vedic
(D.A.V.) College
system. Started
the shuddhi
(purification)
movement .
Ramakrishna Ramakrishna Founded in Preached the Engaged in
Mission Paramahamsa; 1897 fundamental philanthropic and
Swami (Headquarters oneness of all charitable works .
Vivekananda at Belur) . religions ("As Vivekananda
(Narendranath many faiths, so gained
Datta) . many paths") . international
Emphasized, fame at the
“Service of man is Parliament of
the service of Religions held at
God” . Advocated Chicago in
a blend of Western 1893 .
materialism and
Eastern spiritualism
.
Aligarh Sir Syed Founded on Sought to reconcile Advocated social
Movement Ahmed Khan the base of the Western scientific reforms,
. Mohammedan education with the opposing purdah
Anglo- teachings of the and polygamy,
Oriental Quran (interpreted and promoting
College rationally) . women's
(1875) at Advocated education .
Aligarh . adaptability of
religious tenets .
Theosophical Madame H.P. Founded in Aimed for the Opposed child
Movement Blavatsky, New York universal marriage,
Colonel M.S. City in 1875; brotherhood of advocated caste
Olcott; Annie HQ shifted to humanity . abolition, and
Besant . Adyar, Accepted Hindu uplifted widows .
Madras, in beliefs in Besant founded
1882 . reincarnation and the Central
 karma, drawing Hindu College
inspiration from in Benaras
Upanishads and (1898) .
Vedanta .
Servants of Gopal 1905 in Aimed to train Published the
India Society Krishna Bombay . national Hitavada . Today
Gokhale (with missionaries works in the field
M.G. dedicated to the of education .
Ranade) . service of India .
Chosen to remain
aloof from
political activities .
Indian Social M.G. Ranade 1887 in Acted as the social Advocated inter-
Conference and Bombay (Met reform cell of the caste marriages
Raghunath annually with Congress . Focused and opposed
Rao . INC) . on social issues . polygamy .
Launched the
‘Pledge
Movement’
against child
marriage .

Specific Reforms and Focused Movements

Movement / Key Founding Core Ideology Major Reforms

Organization Leader(s) Year & and Focus and Activities
Location
Ishwar Ishwar Active from Deep humanism, His efforts led
Chandra Chandra 1850 (Sanskrit blending Indian directly to the
Vidyasagar's Vidyasagar. College and Western passing of the
Efforts Principal). thought. Hindu Widows’
Remarriage Act,
1856. A pioneer
in women’s
education (e.g.,
Bethune School
secretary 1849).
Paramahansa Dadoba 1849 in Asserted that real Deliberately
Mandali Pandurang, Maharashtra religion is based broke caste rules
Mehtaji . on love and moral (members
Durgaram . conduct . consumed food
cooked by lower
castes) and
advocated for
widow
remarriage .
Dharma Radhakant 1830. An orthodox Opposed the
Sabha Deb. society aiming for abolition of sati
the preservation and liberal
of the status quo . reforms.
 However,
favored the
promotion of
Western
education, even
for girls .
SNDP Sree Yogam Advocated “one Fought for
Movement Narayana registered religion, one Ezhava rights to
Guru Swamy 1903 in caste, one God access public
. Kerala for mankind” . schools,
(among Asserted idol government
Ezhavas) . consecration was services, temples,
not the monopoly and roads .
of higher castes .
Justice C.N. Started in 1916 Aimed to secure Formed the South
Movement Mudaliar, in Madras jobs and Indian Liberal
T.M. Nair, P. Presidency . representation Federation
Tyagaraja . for the non- (SILF) in 1916 .
brahmins in the
legislature .
Self-Respect E.V. Mid-1920s . Advocated the Promoted
Movement Ramaswamy rejection of weddings
Naicker brahminical formalized
(‘Periyar’) . religion and without brahmin
culture . priests .
Temple Entry K.P. Kesava Started with Objective was to The Maharaja of
Movement (Vaikom Vaikom remove Travancore
Satyagraha Satyagraha restrictions on issued a
leader) . (1924) in lower castes from proclamation on
Kerala . entering temples November 12,
or using public 1936, opening all
facilities . government-
controlled
temples to all
Hindus .
Akali (Offshoot of Active from Aimed to liberate Non-violent
Movement Singh Sabha early 20th Sikh gurudwaras satyagraha led to
(Gurudwara Movement) . Century . from the control of the Sikh
Reform corrupt Udasi Gurudwaras
Movement) mahants . Act of 1922
(amended 1925),
transferring
control to the
SGPC .

Islamic and Parsi Movements

Movement / Key Founding Core Ideology Major

Organization Leader(s) Year & and Focus Reforms and
Location Activities
Wahabi/Walliullah Shah (Inspiration Islamic Walliullah
Movement Walliullah, from Abdul revivalist . aimed for
Syed Ahmed Wahab/Shah Called for a harmony
of Rai Walliullah) . return to the true among the four
Bareilly . spirit of Islam schools of
and condemned Muslim
Western jurisprudence .
influence .
Advocated jihad
against foreign
rule .
Faraizi Movement Haji 1818 in East Emphasis on the Under Dudu
Shariatullah; Bengal . Islamic pillars ofMian, it
later Dudu faith (Fara’id) became
Mian . and eradication revolutionary,
of un-Islamic supporting
practices . tenants against
zamindars and
indigo
planters .
Deoband School Mohammad 1866 at A revivalist Welcomed the
Qasim Darul movement . formation of
Nanotavi and Uloom, Rejected Western the Indian
Rashid Deoband education and National
Ahmed (UP) . British support . Congress and
Gangohi . Objectives were issued a fatwa
to propagate the against Syed
pure teachings Ahmed Khan's
of the Quran organizations .
and Hadis and
keep alive the
spirit of jihad .
Ahmadiyya Mirza 1889 in Liberal Islamic Promoted
Movement Ghulam Qadiani, sect based on Western liberal
Ahmad . Punjab . universal education
religion . among
Opposed jihad Muslims .
and believed in
separating the
mosque from the
State . Ghulam
Ahmad
proclaimed
himself as the
Messiah .
Parsi Reform Dadabhai 1851 . Aimed to Used the
Movements Naoroji, regenerate the newspaper
(Rahnumai Naoroji social conditions Rast Goftar .
Mazdayasnan Furdonji . of the Parsis and Removed the
Sabha) restore purdah system
 Zoroastrianism to and raised the
its purity . age of marriage
.

Chronology of British Conquest and Consolidation (17th Century – 1856)

Date / Period Event or Policy Significance / Location

1630 English establish Sindh
trade facilities
1757
June 23, 1757 Battle of Plassey Defeat of Nawab Siraj-ud-daula due to conspiracy; laid
the foundation of the British empire in India .
1757–1765 Foundation of Period defining the subjugation of Bengal.
British Rule
1764
October 22, 1764 Battle of Buxar Decisive defeat of the combined forces of the Nawab
of Bengal, Nawab of Awadh, and the Mughal Emperor
(Shah Alam II); established the English as a great
power in northern India .
1765
1765 Treaty of Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II granted the East India
Allahabad Company the diwani (right to collect revenue) of
Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa .
1765–1772 Dual Government Robert Clive introduced this system in Bengal, where
System the Company held real power (diwani and nizamat) but
lacked formal responsibility .
1767–1769 First Anglo-Mysore Conflict against Haidar Ali .
War
1769 Treaty of Madras Signed at the conclusion of the First Anglo-Mysore
War .
1772 Death of Led to dissension over the Peshwa succession,
Madhavrao contributing to the First Anglo-Maratha War .
1775 Treaty of Surat Raghunathrao sought English help for the Peshwa
succession, initiating the First Anglo-Maratha War .
1775–1782 First Anglo- War over the Peshwa succession .
Maratha War
1780–1784 Second Anglo- Conflict involving Haidar Ali and, after 1782, Tipu
Mysore War Sultan .
1782 Death of Haidar Ali Tipu Sultan continued the Second Anglo-Mysore
War .
1782 Treaty of Salbai Concluded the First Anglo-Maratha War, establishing
peace for twenty years .
1784 Treaty of Negotiated by Tipu Sultan, concluding the Second
Mangalore Anglo-Mysore War .
1790–1792 Third Anglo- Began when Tipu attacked Travancore .
Mysore War
1792 Treaty of Severe treaty forcing Tipu to cede half his territory and
Seringapatam pay a large war indemnity .
1798 Lord Wellesley Became Governor-General .
1798 Subsidiary Alliance Hyderabad was a key state to accept this policy .
accepted
1799 Fourth Anglo- Lord Wellesley defeated and killed Tipu Sultan at
Mysore War Seringapatam .
1799 Subsidiary Alliance Imposed on the new Wodeyar dynasty ruler in
accepted Mysore .
Subsidiary Alliance Accepted by Awadh and the Peshwa .
1801 accepted
Creation of Punjab By Maharaja Ranjith Singh
1802 Treaty of Bassein Humiliating treaty signed by Peshwa Bajirao II,
effectively accepting the Subsidiary Alliance and
stationing British forces .
1803–1805 Second Anglo- Resulted in Sindhia and Bhonsle being forced to
Maratha War conclude separate subsidiary treaties .
1807 Treaty of ‘Eternal Signed with the Amirs of Sindh, agreeing to exclude
Friendship’ the French .
1809 Treaty of Amritsar Maharaja Ranjit Singh maintained relations with the
English, accepting the River Sutlej as the boundary .
1817–1819 Third Anglo- Conflict involving Lord Hastings, determined to
Maratha War impose British paramountcy .
June 1818 Abolition of the Resulted in the dissolution of the Maratha confederacy
peshwaship .
1832 Treaty regarding Allowed free passage to English traders and use of the
Sindh Indus for trade .
1838 Treaty converting Lord Auckland pressured the Amirs to sign, permitting
Sindh to a British resident .
Protectorate
1839 Death of Ranjit Led to anarchy in Punjab .
Singh
1839 Subsidiary Alliance Amirs of Sindh accepted under threat of superior
accepted force .
1843 Annexation of Annexed under Governor-General Ellenborough
Sindh following intervention and a revolt .
1845–1846 First Anglo-Sikh Triggered when the Sikh army crossed the River
War Sutlej; resulted in Sikh defeats due to treachery .
1846 Treaty of Lahore Humiliating treaty annexing the Jalandhar Doab and
requiring indemnity from the Sikhs .
1846 Treaty of Established a Council of Regency presided over by the
Bhairowal British Resident, putting Punjab under effective British
control .
1848 Annexation of Annexed under the Doctrine of Lapse .
Satara
1848–1849 Second Anglo-Sikh Initiated by the revolt of Mulraj; Lord Dalhousie used
War this as a pretext for complete annexation .
1849 Annexation of Formal annexation after the Sikh army surrendered .
Punjab
1854 Annexation of Annexed under the Doctrine of Lapse .
Jhansi
1854 Annexation of Annexed under the Doctrine of Lapse .
Nagpur
1856 Annexation of Annexed by Lord Dalhousie on grounds of chronic
Awadh misgovernment .
1886 Annexation of
Burma

Relations of British India with Neighbouring Relations

Treaty Provisions of Governor General
Treaty
Anglo-Nepalese Treaty of Sagauli Ceded away Kumaon Lord Hastings
(1816) and Garhwal to British

Nepal withdrew from

Sikkim

Gorkhas joined the

British army in large
numbers
First Anglo- Treaty of Yandabo Recognise Manipur as
Burmese War (1826) an independent state
(1824-26)
Anglo-Afghan Treaty of
Turkimanchai (1828)

Tripartite Treaty
(1838)- British, Sikhs,
and Shah Shuja
First Anglo-Afghan Treaty of 1841 Recognised Dost
War (1839-42) Mohammad as the
independent ruler of
Afghanistan
Second Anglo- Lord Dalhousie
Burmese War
(1852-53)
Second Anglo- Treaty of Gandamak
Afghan War (1878- (1879)
80)
Third Anglo- Annexation of Burma
Burmese War to British India (1886)
(1885)
Anglo-Tibetan Treaty of Lhasa (1904) Lord Curzon

Governor-General Policy
Auckland Forward Policy
John Lawrence Policy of Masterly Inactivity (no interference)
Lytton Policy of Proud Reserve- scientific frontiers and spheres
of influence
Curzon Policy of withdrawal and concentration
Feature Nadir Shah's Invasion Ahmad Shah Abdali's Invasions
Invader Nadir Shah, the Shah of Persia. Ahmad Shah Abdali, one of
Nadir Shah’s ablest generals, who
established authority over
Afghanistan.
Timeframe Entered Indian territory towards the Repeatedly invaded and plundered
of Invasions end of 1738. northern India between 1748 and
1767.
Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah. Successors of Muhammad Shah,
Ruler starting with the period after his
(Context) death in 1748.
Key Battle Met the Mughal army at Karnal on Third Battle of Panipat in 1761.
& Date 13th February 1739.
Primary The Mughal army. The Marathas (in 1761).
Target of
Defeat
Territorial Muhammad Shah was compelled to No large territorial cession
Cession cede all provinces west of the River mentioned, but repeatedly invaded
Indus. This loss, particularly Kabul, and plundered northern India,
destroyed a vital line of defense, reaching Delhi and Mathura.
opening the Empire to further
invasions from the North-West.
Plunder & Plunder estimated at 70 crores of Drained the Empire of its wealth
Wealth rupees. Carried away the famous and ruined its trade and industry in
Koh-i-nur diamond and the jewel- the North.
studded Peacock Throne. Also
ordered a terrible massacre of
citizens in Delhi.
Overall Inflicted immense damage, caused an Struck a big blow to the Maratha
Impact irreparable loss of prestige, and ambition of controlling the
exposed the hidden weakness of the Mughal Emperor and dominating
Empire to the Marathas and foreign the country. Gave the final blow
trading companies. Ruined imperial to the Mughal Empire, destroying
finances. its military power.

GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF BENGAL (1773-1833)

Mnemonic: "How Cows Walk Makes Horses Angry"
 Hastings (1773-1785)
 Cornwallis (1786-1793)
 Wellesley (1798-1805)
 Minto I (1807-1813)
 Hastings (1813-1823)
 Amherst (1823-1828)
Date Trick: Start at 1773, add roughly 12-13 years for each transition.

GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF INDIA (1833-1858)

Mnemonic: "Beautiful Animals Have Dreams"
 Bentinck (1828-1835)
 Metcalfe (1835-1836)
 Auckland (1836-1842)
 Hardinge I (1844-1848)
 Dalhousie (1848-1856)
Date Trick: Notice the 6-8 year pattern. Bentinck bridges both eras (1828-
1835).

VICEROYS (1858-1947)
This is the longest list, so I'll break it into chunks:
Phase 1 (1858-1888): "Can't Just Let Rats Dance Lightly"
 Canning (1856-1862)
 John Lawrence (1864-1869)
 Lytton (1876-1880)
 Ripon (1880-1884)
 Dufferin (1884-1888)
 Lansdowne (1888-1894)
Phase 2 (1899-1926): " Crazy Monkeys Hate Cold Rainy Islands."
 Curzon (1899-1905)
 Minto II (1905-1910)
 Hardinge II (1910-1916)
 Chelmsford (1916-1921)
 Reading (1921-1926)
 Irwin (1926-1931)
Phase 3 (1931-1950): "...Weird Little Worlds Making Chaos"
 Willingdon (1931-1936)
 Linlithgow (1936-1944)
 Wavell (1944-1947)
 Mountbatten (1947-1948)
 Chakravarti Rajagopalachari (1948-1950)