Ancient Bengal

(1) What were the achievements of the Pala dynasty and the Sena dynasty in Bengal?

Ans: Achievements of Pala Dynasty:

1. In this period only, feudal economy introduced, where trade declined and agro economy
flourished.

2. Minerals played a major role in upliftiang the economy.

3. They have monarchial administration and so, the society was very peaceful during those
period.

4. They followed Buddhism and Hinduism as their major religion.

5. Art and Architecture were encouraged with the help of "Palal school of Sculptural Art".

6. They had done great works like Vikramshila Vihar, Odantpuri Vihar, Jagaddal Vihar.

7. They used Proto-Bengal Language for their communication.

8. The Pala Rulers were very much interested in Buddhist art, literature and learning.

9. Bengali art, literature and paintings flourished during this period.

Achievements of Sena Dynasty:

1. Sena dynasty was found in 11th century.

2. This Sena dynasty was founded by Hemanta Sen

3. Independent rule of Sena's in Bengal was established by his son in Vijayasena's time.

4. So, Vijayasena is called as real founder of Sena Dynasty.

5. He captured the Rarh Region of Bengal from Palas and some parts of Gauda Kingdom from
Assam Regions.

6. His son Ballala Sena introduced social reforms in Bengal which is known as Kulinism.

7. Balasena was succeeded by Lakshmanasena

8. They struggled with Palas and confined Bengal, Assam and Parts of Orissa.

9. Later, in 12th century, their territories were won by Deva dynasty.

(2) Explain the cultural aspects of Ancient Bengal.
Ans:

(3) Describe the Fine Arts, Architecture, Sculpture and Painting of Gupta period.
Ans:

(4) Discuss the various sources of Ancient Bengal with examples

Ans:

(5) Why Gupta period is known as the golden age of India

Ans: The prosperity of the Gupta Empire produced a golden age of cultural and scientific
advancements.

Key Terms

 Golden Age of India: A period at the height of the Gupta Empire, marked by extensive
inventions and discoveries that contributed to Hindu culture, in subjects such as science,
technology, engineering, art, dialectic, literature, logic, mathematics, astronomy, religion,
and philosophy.
 Chandragupta II: His reign, from 375-415 CE, promoted the synthesis of science, art,
philosophy, and religion during the Golden Age of India.
 Fa Xian: A Chinese traveler who recorded detailed observations about his experience in
the Gupta Empire in his journal. It was later published.
 Navartna: Also called the Nine Jewels; a group of nine scholars in the court of
Chandragupta II who contributed many advancements in their academic fields.
 ayurvedic: A form of alternative medicine established in India.

The prosperity created under the leadership of the Gupta Empire, which covered much of the
Indian subcontinent from approximately 320-550 CE, enabled the wide pursuit of scientific and
artistic endeavors. This period became known as the Golden Age of India because it was marked
by extensive inventions and discoveries in science, technology, engineering, art, dialectic,
literature, logic, mathematics, astronomy, religion, and philosophy. These discoveries
crystallized elements of what is generally considered Hindu culture.

(6) How Indus civilization declined from the world history?

Ans:
(7) Analyze the Bengali literature and language in ancient Bengal.
Ans:

(8) Discuss the major school of thoughts of history of India.

Ans:

(9) Discuss Maurya Empire and king Ashoka’s regime in ancient Bengal.
Ans:
• Chandragupta Maurya captured the capital of Magadha in 321 BCE and Maurya was
installed as king, founding the Maurya Empire, India’s first.
• Chandragupta Maurya expanded the Maurya Empire north and west during his reign.
• Chandragupta Maurya was succeed by his son Bindusara in 298 BCE, and then by
Bindusara's son Ashoka the Great in 272 BCE.
• Under Ashoka the Great, the Maurya Empire expanded into the southern part of the
Indian subcontinent.
Ashoka erected the Edicts of Ashoka, which state his policies and accomplishments, and which
were written in both Greek and Sanskrit.
After fighting a bloody battle, he sickened of war and turned his life in a different direction. He
became a Buddhist, or someone who followed the teachings of Buddha. He lived peacefully and
built roads for travelers, planted trees to give shade, constructed rest houses and dug wells. He
considered all his subjects his children and tried to care for them with love and kindness. He built
a road system and every nine miles he had wells dug and rest houses built. This allowed travelers
to stop and refresh themselves. Many people became Buddhist after Ashoka’s example

(10) Discuss various caste systems in Aryan civilization with examples.

Ans: Around 1500 BCE, a group of nomadic warrior-herders crossed the narrow Khyber Pass in
the Hindu Kush Mountains and invaded the Indus Valley culture. These people, the Aryans,
came from Eastern Europe between the Black Sea and Caspian Sea, probably looking for
pastures for their animals. Flooding and earthquakes had weakened the Indus Valley culture and
they were unable to withstand the newcomers.
• The Aryans learned to use iron after their invasion of India.
• Iron was uses to make plows which made farming much easier.
 • It was also use to make iron weapons which the Aryans used to carve out more territory
in the Ganges River basin
Soon cities ruled by chiefs called Rajahs arose
By 500 B.C., the Aryans had built a new Indian civilization
• The Aryans brought with them their own language, called Sanskrit and religious and
cultural beliefs. The Indus Valley people eventually became intermixed with the Aryan
people and the two cultures together make up what is now much of the culture of modern
India. Hinduism, the major religion of India, was a mixture of Aryan and Indus Valley
beliefs. The caste system, which keeps people in strict social classes, was brought to
India by the Aryans.

Part-II Short Notes:

1) Sasanka
2) Hindu trinity
3) Reincarnation
4) Administration of Pala dynasty
5) Legacy of Pala dynasty

Medieval Bengal
(1) Discuss various sources of Medieval Bengal.
Ans:
 Major sources of History:

 Tabaqat-i-Nasiri a medieval text by Minhaj-i-Siraj. It is an important source book for the

reconstruction of the history of foundation of Muslim rule in Bengal. The history of the first
fifty years of Muslim rule in Bengal is found only in this text.

 Riyaz-us-Salatin the first complete history of the Muslim rule in Bengal. Written in Persian
language by Ghulam Husain Salim Zaidpuri, it covers the whole Muslim rule in Bengal from
bakhtiyar’s conquest of Nadia in 1204-05 AD to the battle of palashi in 1757, though there
are lacunae(gaps) in various places.

 tarikh-i-firuzshahis of Ziauddin Barani

 Abul Fazl’s ain-i-akbari and akbarnamah

 Badauni’s muntakhab-ut-tawarikh

Nizamuddin Bakhshi’s tabaqat-i-akbari

(2) Discuss the dynasty of great Mughal Empire in India.
Ans:

• Under the Mughals, India was the heart of a great Islamic empire and a prolific
center of Islamic culture and learning.
• Dynasty was the greatest, richest and longest lasting Muslim dynasty to rule India.
• Mongol Descendents
• The Great Mughal Emperors were:
Babur (1526-1530) The First of the Mughals
Humayun (1530-1556) The Luckless Leader
Akbar (1556-1605) The Great
Jehangir (1605-1627) The Paragon of Stability
Shah Jehan (1627-1658) The Master Builder
Aurangzeb (1658-1707) The Intolerant

• Babur was the founder of Mughal Empire. He was related to Timur from his father’s side
and Chengiz Khan to his mother’s side. His original name was Zahiruddin Muhammad.
He defeated ibrahim lodhi in the first Battle of Panipat in 1526 and established Mughal
rule in India.
• He defeated Rana Sanga of Mewar in Battle of Khanua in 1527 near Agra. He then
assumed the title of ‘Ghazi’. Babur also defeated the Afgans in battle of Gogra in Bihar.
• Babur wrote his memoirs in Tuzuk-i-Baburi in Turki language, describing the flora and
fauna of India.
• 1526-1530 Babur’s victory at Panipat in 1526 established the Mughal Empire and ended
the reign of the Delhi Sultanate. The rise of the great Mughal Dynasty in India began
with Babur.
• 1530-1556 Humayun succeeded his father Babur and became emperor. He was defeated
and dislodged by insurrections of nobles from the old Lodi regime. In 1540, the Mughal
domain came under control of Farid Khan Sur (Shir Shah Sur). Humayun died at the age
of 48 when he fell down the steps of his library.
• 1556-1605 Akbar, the most sophisticated Mughal commander and leader, was only 14
years of age when he succeeded his father Humayun. Under Akbar's reign, Muslims and
Hindu’s received the same respect.
 • 1605-1628 Jehangir succeeded his father, Akbar.
• 1628-1658 Prince Khurram was 35 years old when he ascended the throne as Shah Jehan,
King of the World.
• 1659-1707 In the summer of 1659, Aurangzeb held a coronation in the Red Fort where he
assumed the title of Alamgir (World Conqueror). After a bitter struggle with his two
brothers, Aurangzeb was the victor who took the throne.
• 1857 Bahadur Shah II, the last Mughal emperor, was deposed in 1858. India was brought
under the direct rule of the British Crown. This brought the end of the Mughal Empire.

(3) What are the achievements of Mughal Empire? Give example.

Ans:

• It is agreed among many scholars that the Mughal Empire was the greatest, richest and
most long-lasting Muslim dynasty to rule India. This period of Mughal rule produced the
finest and most elegant art and architecture in the history of Muslim dynasties.
• The Mughal emperors, with few exceptions, were among the world’s most aesthetically
minded rules. Although Turkish and Persian in background, the Mughals were not
Muslim rulers of India but Indian rulers who happened to be Muslims. This idea is most
evident in Akbar’s obsession of a utopian India for Hindus and Muslims.
• The longevity of the Mughal Empire can be contributed to a number of factors. The
Mughal emperors were ambitious and for the most part able rulers. But Akbar is perhaps
the Mughal emperor responsible for much of the prosperity and harmony achieved during
the Mughal Empire.
• Akbar the Great, as he is referred, perceived that 3 things were needed if his Empire was
to be stable and long-lasting.
• 1. Fair rent must be fixed for the peasant and a steady revenue for the treasury,
• 2. The land must be ruled by men who were impartial and responsible to himself,
• 3. The Muslim must live at peace with the Hindu.
• Akbar strove during his lifetime to achieve these 3 things. He showed tolerance to Hindu
scholars and women.
• By 1650, the Mughal Empire had expanded farther North and South.
• The Mughal Empire and the Great Mughals will always be remembered as a great
influence on the artistic and cultural life of India. Their architectural style can still be
seen today such as the Taj Mahal built by Shah Jehan and the buildings at Fatehpur Sikri.
• The remarkable flowering of art and architecture under the Mughal Empire is due to
several factors.
 • The empire provided a secure framework within which artistic genius could
flourish. Both Hindu and Muslim artists collaborated to produce some of the best
Indian art.
• The empire commanded wealth and resources that were unparalleled in Indian
history.
• The Mughal emperors were themselves patrons of art whose intellectual ideas and
cultural outlook were expressed in the architecture.

(4) What are the causes of decline Mughal Empire?

Ans: After Aurangzeb’s death in 1707 revolts took place here and there and Mughal Empire
started declining. There were many causes for the downfall of this great dynasty.

The top 6 reasons for the decline and downfall of Mughal Empire in India is given below:

(1) None of Aurangzeb successors could give stability to the empire. They were absolutely
inefficient.
(2) The Nobles took advantage of this situation and they enriched and strengthened
themselves.
(3) Aurangzeb’s son Muajjan won the first round of succession war and ascended the throne
under the name of Bahadur shah. He was very inefficient and after his death a quarrel
took place among his four sons.
(4) The eldest, Jahandar Shah got the throne but was assassinated in 1713 and his nephew
Farruksiyar was made emperor by two very influential brothers – the Sayyids. The
Sayyid brother (Sayyid Hussain Ali and Sayyid Abdullah) were so influential that they
could make or unmake everything. Farruksiyar was soon dragged down and killed and
the Sayyids made Muhammad Shah emperor of Delhi.
(5) Muhammad Shah was pleasure-loving but he ruled for longer time than did his
immediate predecessors. It was he who at last broke the power of the Sayyids. It was,
moreover, in his reign that Nadir Shah of Persia invaded India in 1739 A.D.. He carried
destruction everywhere. India hardly recovered from this shock. Muhammad shah died in
1748.

(6) During the next reign the different parts of the empire began to fall apart. Oudh or
Ayodhya, Bengal and Hyderabad became independent. The two later emperors, Alamgir
II and Shah Alam II, were powerless. The Mughal empire from that time remained just a
Causes of mughal decline

1. 1. What are the causes for the decline of the Mughal Empire?

Aurangzeb’s responsibility: Aurangzeb was largely responsible for the downfall of the
empire. His ancestors did a lot to win over the loyalties of their subjects, particularly the
Rajputs and the Hindus. But Aurangzeb was a fanatic and could not tolerate the non-
Muslims. He imposed jazia and forbade the celebration of Hindu festivals. He thus lost
the friendship and loyality of the Rajputs. His execution of the Sikhguru and his enmity
with the Marathas forced them to raise arms against him. His excessive obsession with
the Deccan also destroyed the Mughal army, the treasury and also adversely affected his
health. Being a fanatic Sunni Muslim, he could not tolerate even the Shias. They too
turned against him. He laid too much stress on simplicity and was against singing,
dancing and drinking which were common habits of the Muslim nobles. They did not like
a king who was so much against their ways.

Weak Successors: The successors of Aurangzeb were both weak and incompetent. The
later Mughals spent more time in their harems and in pleasure and soon lost control of the
states.

No Definite Law of Succession: The Mughals did not follow any definite law of
succession. After the death of every emperor, there ensued a bloody war of succession
amongst his sons. Each one, used nobles and members of the royal family to get the
throne thereby dividing the nobles who fought for their self-interest only. This created
anarchy. Nobles resorted to conspiracies and made the Mughal power weak and
vulnerable.

Poor Economy: The economic stability of the empire was ruined because of the constant
wars. Some of the wars did not add even an inch to the Mughal Empire. Besides this, the
Mughal rulers spent lavishly on buildings and monuments. Finally, the foreign invasions
completely shattered the economy.

Moral Degradation of the Soldiers: An excess of wealth and luxury made the Mughal
army lazy, corrupt and inefficient. The soldiers and the generals became pleasure loving
and easygoing. Often they proved to be disloyal. Now they could not even go to the
battlefield without their train of attendants and women. Sometimes they only fought for
money and easily succumbed to bribes.

Rise of New Powers: New powers such as the Sikhs, Jats and Marathas came onto the
scene. Gradually they broke off from the Mughal domination and established their own
independent states.

2. 2. Coming of the Europeans:

 The Europeans, especially the British, played an important role in putting an end to the
Mughal Empire. They first obtained a freeman to trade with India, but gradually began
interfering in Indian politics and gradually set up a British empire in India that lasted for
200 years.

Foreign Invasions: The invasions of Nadir Shah and Ahmad Shah Abdali proved fatal for
the Mughal Empire. Not only were the Indians defeated but their weakness was exposed
and India became as easy prey to other foreign powers too.

Punjab: Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh guru, had organized the Sikhs into a military
force. After his death, his disciple Banda Bahadur carried on his his struggle against the
Mughals. However, Banda was finally captured and put to death in 1715 during the reign
of Farukh Siyar. But the invasions of Nadir Shah and Ahmad Shah Abdali gave the Sikhs
a fresh opportunity to once again challenge the authority of the Mughals. They organized
themselves into small groups known as misls. These misls were twelve in number and
each one had a leader. Although these misls could not unite for a longtime, they carried
on their struggle with each other’s cooperation. By the end of the eighteenth century,
Ranjii Singh, however, brought them together and founded a Sikh kingdom. He brought
the entire area to the west of the Sutlej under his control. Under Ranjit Singh, the Sikhs
power reached the zenith of its glory, but his death was followed by an internal struggle
for power. The Rajputs The Rajputs were strong military-like warriors but they had a
major drawback in that they neverorganized themselves into a single power. They were
constantly at war with each other. Even after the fall of Aurangzeb, they failed to rise to
the occasion and grab power. The royal patronage that they received during the days of
Akbar was now lost. The most important ruler of this period was Sawai Raja Jai Singh of
Jaipur who built the Pink city and also the astronomical observatories. Butduring the
eighteenth century, the Rajputs became very weak due to the rise of the Sikhs, Jats andthe
Marathas.

Summary: By 1576, Bengal had become part of a mighty Mughal Empire whose
achievements impressed all who came into contact with it. However, within 150 years,
the Empire was in decline as internal weaknesses and external threats brought an end to
the Mughal supremacy. Main events

3. 3.  1620 British get permission from Emperor Jahangir to conduct trade. 1678
Mughal Aurangzeb annexes Marwar and angers Rajputs. 1679 Jiziare imposed.
1686/7 Annexation of Golcunda and Bijapur angers Marathas 1688 British blockade
Bombay and Mughal ports 1690 British sign treaty. 1700 Founding of Fort William
by British. 1707 Death of Aurangzeb: war of succession. 1739 Persian Nader Shah
plunders Delhi.

There were many reasons for the decline of the Mughal Empire, beginning with
succession disputes and ending with the arrival of the British, who took advantage of the
lack of central control, the discontent and factionalism. Some of the specific reasons
were:1. Struggle for succession After the death of Aurangazeb, a war of succession broke
out among his three sons, Muazzam (Governorof Kabul), Muhammad Azam (Governor
 of Gujrat) and Muhammad KamBaksh (Governor of Bijapur). In his will, Aurangazeb
had directed his sons to divide the Empire peacefully among them. But at his death, there
rose a bitter struggle for the throne of Delhi. The competition for power led to the death
of Azam and Muhammad. Muazzem took up the title of Bahadur Shah (also Shah Alam
I) but when he died in February 1712, a fresh war of succession brokeout among
Muazzam’s four sons. Three out of his four sons were killed in this conflict. The
remainingson, Jahandar Shah, became the emperor. But soon, Farrukhsiyar, a son of one
of the defeated princes, deposed Jahandar Shah to avenge his father’s death. A series of
such conflicts arising out of battles for succession, resulting in the absence of a long-
lasting central authority, weakened the Mughal Empire.

4. 4. 2. Religious policy Aurangzeb was brave and untiring in carrying out his duties. He
was also a great soldier and general but he failed to be a good ruler because of his
religious conservatism. He appeared to be an emperor of the Muslims only, not of all the
people of India who had different religious and cultural identities. In 1679, here-imposed
the Jizia on the non-believers. He denounced the idea of joining hands with the Hindus
for the integrity of the Empire. He rather focused on the Muslims only. He also banned
sati, the Hindu sacrifice of widows. These and other of his religious policies insulted the
non-Muslims and caused discontent andunrest.

3. Aurangzebs Deccan policy Aurangzebs determination to crush the Marathas was also
responsible for the decline of the Empire. The Emperor went to the Deccan to annex
Golcunda in 1686 and Bijapur in 1687. These two states were not only Shia states but
also supportive to the Marathas by providing employment and even military training. A
friendly policy towards these two states could have made them his allies against the
Maratha. But Aurangzeb could not see this possibility. The Mughal Empire, by this time,
had become too vast to be controlled efficiently by a centralised administration,
especially Karnataka. Communication and transport were poor and the frequent Maratha
raids made it difficult for the nobles to collect the taxes. This was a serious setback to the
prestige of the Empire.4. Aurangzebs Rajput policy Aurangzeb did not attach enough
importance to the Rajput alliance. In December 1678, he introduced a change of policy
towards the Rajputs who had contributed much to the growth of the Mughal Empire in
India. When he annexed Marwar, Aurangzebs aggressive policy drove the Rajputs to
gather forces and the Rajput War turned into almost a national uprising. The war
continued till Bahadur Shah I, Aurangzebsson and successor, recognized Ajit Singh as
the Rana of Marwar in 1709.5. Maratha revival By 1691, the Marathas (under the
Peshwas) had become strong enough to rise up in rebellion under Raja Ram and other
Maratha chiefs. They consolidated their positions in western India, dreaming of a greater
Maharashtra Empire. The Marathas grew into the strongest power in northern India and
took up the role of defenders of Hindustan against foreign invaders like Ahmed Shah
Abdali. The Maratha conquests in the north accelerated the disintegration of the Empire.

5. 5. 6. The weak nobles and party factions The weak characters of the nobility hastened the
downfall of the Mughal Empire. The nobility were only interested in increasing their
power and influence. The country was often broken apart by civil wars due to the
quarrelsome nobles. The nobility was divided into two broad factions: The Hindustani
 or Indo-Muslim party, who were the Afghan nobles, the Sayyids of Barha and Khan-i-
Dawran whose ancestors had come to India from Badakhshan. These Indian Muslims
were mostly aligned with the Hindus. The foreign nobles were called Mughals as a
whole but were divided into two groups. Those who came from Trans-oxania and other
parts of Central Asia were mostly Sunni (The Turrani Party). The Irani nobles who were
from Persia were mostly Shias. During the reign of Bahadur Shah and Jahandar Shah, the
Irani party was in power with Zulfikhar Khanas leader. But from the time of
Farrukhsiyyars reign, the Hindustani party, together with the Turranigroup, took over
power. At the end, the Turranians and the Iranians joined together against the
Hindustanis. This factionalism grew stronger in the absence of a strong emperor.7.
Administrative weaknesses Corrupt administration The Mughal administration became
full of corruption even before the death of Aurangzeb. Officers of all ranks took bribes.
On the other hand, the high rate of taxation ruined the people who lost interest in
production. In the reign of Shah Jahan, the state demand had been raised to half of the
produce. His immense expenditure on the construction of numerous buildings worsened
the condition of the finances. The tyrannical administration of the provincial governors
brought further misery to the people who could go nowhere for redress. The Mansabdari
system A mansab meant an official appointment of rank and profit, which was held by
every officer of the state. They were bound theoretically to supply a number of troops for
the military service of the state.T he mansabdars were the official nobility of the country.
They were directly recruited, promoted ands uspended by the Emperor himself. The
mansabdari system later deteriorated, therefore, with the ascendancy of weak rulers on
the throne and as corruption and repression increased.
6. 6. Condition of the people

The people of India suffered greatly. The land revenue taxes increased from the time of
Akbar. The nobles were mistreated and cheated out of their land rights. In response, they
often broke official regulations and behaved cruelly. People’s miseries increased after
Aurangzebs death and peasants often left their lands in despair. The discontent of the
peasants was an added reason for the uprisings of the Satnanis, the Jats and theSikhs.
Many peasants formed bands of robbers and adventurers weakening law and order
further.8. The demoralized Mughal army The condition of the army was deplorable. The
immense wealth of India and the wine and comforts they enjoyed demoralised the
Mughal army and led to its deterioration. The Mughal army was so weak thateven after
three attempts it failed to capture Kandahar. In 1739, Nader Shah, the Persian invader,
easily plundered Delhi and carried out a wholesale massacre. The people lost all respect
for the Mughal sovereign. Misuse of revenue by the nobles The Mughal army was
formed of contingents maintained by the great nobles from the revenues or assignments
of their posts. With the weakening of the central control, the nobles used those
assignments to benefit themselves. Lax discipline Discipline became lax in the army.
There was no regular punishment for military crimes. Aurangzeb often ignored acts of
treason and cowardice, and even neglect of duty. There was no drill in the army and each
soldier trained as he wished with his weapons. Outdated weapons The weapons and
methods of warfare had become outdated by this time. They depended mostly onartillery
and the armour-clad cavalry. The artillery was local and followed by a huge camp of
various people of different ages, combatants, and non-combatants, and numerous
 elephants, cattle and beasts of burden. In the eighteenth century, musketry was already
introduced in other armies, and the Maratha cavalry with their swiftness and suddenness
could easily bring disorder in the Mughal camps. Not a national army The Mughal army
comprised various elements of people who fought battles in their individual ways. With
the expansion of the Empire, the army became too huge and uncontrollable. Moreover,
the jealousies and

7. 7. rivalries of the high-ranking officials in the army often destroyed the chances of
victory during the campaigns.9. The Persion’s invasions of Ahmed Shah Abdali The
invasions of Ahmed Shah Abdali, the invader from Persia and the son of Nadir Shah,
hastened the downfall of the Mughal Empire. These frequent invasions revealed the
weakness of the Empire and brought chaos and confusion. The third battle of Panipat in
1761, fought between Ahmed Shah Abdali and the Marathas, ended in a disastrous defeat
for the Marathas. It also weakened the Marathas and the Muslim rulers, paving the way
for the British Rule in India.

Research Task Research and write brief notes on the third Battle of Panipat.10. The
arrival of the British: The British There is sometimes a little confusion about what we
mean by the term British, especially as Great Britain today includes England, Wales and
Scotland, and the UK includes Great Britain and Northern Ireland! However, for the
period of history that we are looking at, the best definition of British is from Britain,
which meant England, Scotland, Wales or Ireland. Although the king or queen ruled all
these lands, each of them had its own language. However, the langauge spoken by most
people, and the official langauge, was English. The Mughals neglected the navy and this
proved to be a disaster. The coastline was left unprotected and the Europeans were able to
establish themselves in India with little difficulty. Various European nations who had
established trade relations with India, seeing the weakness of the Mughal Empire, began
to focus more on political influence than trade in India. Through diplomacy, military skill
and persistence, the English East India Company emerged a successful in exploiting the
volatile circumstances in India in general and Bengal in particular.

8. 8. succeeded in getting permission from Emperor Jahangir to build forts and conduct
trade in Surat, Agraand Ahmedabad around 1620. But given the prevailing trend of
decline in the Mughal Empire, particular towards the end of Aurangzeb’s reign, they
gradually became politically ambitious. In 1688, the British blockaded the Bombay and
Mughal ports and captured many Mughal ships. As the Mughal Emperor responded
strongly, they were forced to sign a treaty in 1690. The company was given a license for
trade only on condition that the captured vessels would be returned and a payment of one
and a half lacs of rupees made. Though this treaty apparently restrained the British, this
was not good for the Mughal Empire in the long run. The reason is that this treaty
legitimised the presence of the British, as well their right to do business in India. From
this time onwards, the British organised their strength in Bombay, Madras and Bengal
and tried to help build up an alliance that was not sympathetic to the Mughals. The arrival
of the British was to prove fatal to the Mughal Empire. Britain was the most
technologically advanced country in the world and the British brought with them
 weapons far in advance of those used by the Mughals. The British also brought a unity
and sense of determination which the divided Mughals lacked.

Short Notes: (1) Delhi Sultanate (2) Independent sultanate (3) Ganasha Dynasty (4) Illiyas Shah
dynasty (5) Mughal Arts

Colonial Rule
1) What were the causes of European exploration and colonization?
Ans:

2) The causes of the failure of South Asia’s resistance against British colonial rule?
Ans:

Short Notes: (1) 3G’s (2) The scientific revolution