Decline and Fall of the Mughal Empire

Question and Answer flashcards reviewing the causes of the decline of the Mughal Empire, Aurangzeb's policies, wars of succession, invasions by Afghans and Persians, the Marathas, and the rise of British control.

What was the main cause of the decline of the Mughal Empire according to the evaluation in the notes?

Infighting was the main cause because it weakened the Mughals economically and militarily, giving a chance to the Marathas and the British to overrun their power.

Between which years did the British defeat the Mughals in several wars and annex many parts of India?

Between 1757 and 1856.

In what year did the British occupy Delhi and place the Mughal Emperor under 'British protection'?

In 1803.

What was the outcome of the Battle of Buxar in 1764?

The British defeated Shah Alam II and captured Bengal.

What happened to the last Mughal Emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar II, during the War of Independence in 1857?

He was expelled and exiled to Rangoon, where he died.

Why did the Marathas struggle to defend their empire after capturing half of the Mughal territory by the mid-18th century?

They found it difficult to control and administer such a large area, leading to problems in defending it from other armies.

How did internal disunity among Maratha families contribute to their defeat?

Maratha families began to show more loyalty to local rulers rather than the Maratha leader (Peshwa) in the capital city of Pune, causing them to become disunited and weakening their grip on the empire.

Which battle stopped the Marathas' advance, and who led the victorious forces?

The Battle of Panipat, where Muslim forces led by Afghan warrior Ahmed Shah Durrani came out victorious.

What were the key characteristics of the Battle of Panipat between the Marathas and Ahmed Shah Durrani?

It involved over 125,000 troops, lasted for several days, and is considered to have perhaps the largest number of casualties in a single day in the 18th century.

Who was exempted from paying the Jizya tax?

Only non-Muslim men who chose to join the Mughal army were exempted.

Why did the Hindu community object to the Jizya tax re-imposed by Aurangzeb Alamgir?

They considered it a discriminatory tax, saw it as a policy to forcibly convert them to Islam, noted it was sometimes higher than Zakat, and objected to its use to fund Deccan Wars against the Marathas.

What Hindu religious custom was banned by Aurangzeb, causing non-Muslims to perceive interference in their religion?

'Suttee', in which a widow was burned alive on the funeral of her dead husband.

Who led the Maratha fighters from South India during the Deccan Wars against Aurangzeb?

Shivaji Maharaj.

How many years did Aurangzeb spend in the Deccan Wars fighting the Marathas?

He spent the last 25 years of his life in the Deccan Wars.

What military successes did the Marathas achieve outside Delhi and in Malwa in 1737 and 1738?

They defeated the Mughal army outside Delhi in 1737 and captured the strategic town of Malwa in 1738.

Which Mughal Emperors were assassinated by their courtiers as royal control disintegrated?

Emperors Farukhsiyar and Alamgir.

What items were stolen from Delhi by Persian King Nadir Shah during his looting expedition?

Gold, silver, the Peacock Throne, and the famous Kohinoor Diamond.

Which areas did the Afghan forces under Ahmed Shah Durrani control by 1749 and 1756?

They had control over Punjab by 1749, and Kashmir and Multan by 1756.

When did the Great Mughal period begin and with whose accession?

It began in 1526 with Babur's accession to the throne.

What conflict occurred in 1657 when Shah Jehan fell ill?

His sons Darashikoh and Aurangzeb fought for the throne, and Aurangzeb declared himself Emperor while their father was still alive.

What happened during the succession dispute among Aurangzeb's sons after his death in 1707?

Prince Muazzam established himself as Emperor after fighting his brothers, but survived only a few years before his four sons fought over the throne, with victor Jahandar Shah being murdered within a year.

What was the geographical extent of the Mughal Empire under Aurangzeb?

It expanded from Ghazni to Chittagong and from Kashmir to Karnataka.

What were 'mansabdars' and why did they cause administrative problems under Aurangzeb?

They were provincial governors appointed by the emperor who became corrupt, established private armies, and refused to pay taxes while Aurangzeb was busy in wars against the Marathas.