Decline of the Mughal Empire (1707-1857)

Flashcards covering the key individuals, policies, and events contributing to the decline of the Mughal Empire from 1707 to 1857.

Babur

A descendant of Timur and Gengis Kahn from Fergana Valler who established the Mughal Empire in 1526 after sweeping across the Khyber Pass.

Aurangzeb Alamgir

The Mughal emperor under whom the empire reached its greatest extent, whose policies of religious intolerance and Deccan obsession are factors in the empire's downfall.

Jazia

A differential tax reintroduced by Aurangzeb in 1679 levied on non-Muslims for protection or defense, which had previously been ended by Akbar.

Mansabdari system

A system introduced by Akbar in 1570 A.D. for regulating imperial services where officers were ranked from a status of 10 to 10,000.

Nadir Shah

The ruler of Persia who invaded India in 1739, defeated the Mughal army at the Battle of Karnal, and looted the Peacock Throne and the Koh-i-Noor diamond.

Ahmad Shah Durrani

Also known as Ahmad Shah Abdali, the founder of the Durrani Empire who led ten invasions into northern India between 1747 and 1769.

Marathas

A major opponent of the Mughals from central and southern India known for guerrilla fighting skills and devotion to Hinduism.

Shivaji

The daring and ruthless leader under whom the Marathas' influence spread during the 17th century.

Battle of Panipat (1761)

A major battle where Ahmad Shah Abdali defeated the Marathas, providing the declining Mughal Empire with more time to exist.

Subsidiary Alliance

A diplomatic policy introduced by Lord Wellesley (1798-1805) forcing Indian rulers to accept and pay for British troops in exchange for protection.

Paramountcy

A policy initiated under Warren Hastings (1774-85) claiming the British were the supreme authority in India and could interfere in the internal matters of princely states.

Zamindar

A term meaning "land owner" referring to hereditary lords who collected taxes on behalf of imperial courts or for military purposes.

Koh-i-Noor

A famous diamond originally found in the Golconda mines that was taken from Maharaja Duleep Singh by the British in 1849 after the annexation of Punjab.

Jahandar Shah

A successor of Bahadur Shah who was described by historians as a frivolous and drunken fool.

Shah Jahan II

A Mughal ruler who died after only 3 months on the throne due to physical and mental disability.

Aurangabad

A historic city in the Deccan region named after Aurangzeb that served as an administrative center and base for his southern military campaigns.

Bibi Ka Maqbara

A monument in Aurangabad resembling the Taj Mahal, built by Aurangzeb's son in memory of his mother.

Doctrine of Lapse

One of the administrative steps mentioned alongside Subsidiary Alliance used by the British to gradually assume control over territory in the subcontinent.

Battle of Buxar (1764)

The conflict in which Shah Alam II was finally defeated by the British.

Muhammad Shah-Rangeela

The grandson of Bahadur Shah during whose reign Delhi was invaded by Nadir Shah of Persia in 1739.