In the 18th century India describes about the later Mughal rulers with their weaknesses and difficulties which also trace the gradual rise of the Mughal nobility and eventually to the integrity of the Mughal Empire. It also had the central authority leading break up to the emergence of regional kingdoms.
The latter half of 18th century India most important developments such as rise of Mysore to coming to East India company and the conflict between the both which was the new beginning face of Indian political scene.
Along with the political development this century deals with new features of Indian economy and the reasons for the decline of Indian agriculture and export trade paving the way of colonial economy.
Decline of Mughal Empire:
The Mughal Empire founded by Babur following his decisive victory at the battle of Panipat in 1526 continued to grow in size under his successors. The Mughal Empire on The emperor Aurangzeb reached its territorial climax which was stretched from the north to south from the year 1657 to 1707.
But the decline in the process had set during the time of Aurangzeb and it could not be arrested by his week successors.
The irony of Aurangzeb Empire was that instead of increasing the strength of the empire the foundation of the empire broke down because of his social religious policies which in sharpen the contracts to his ancestors, were intolerant and fundamentalist in nature.
After the death of Aurangzeb the Empire kept shrinking in size and kept weakening. In 1857 when the last of the Mughals Bahadur Shah Zafar was deposited by the British there were as many as 12 Mughals occupied the throne.
Mohammed Shah and Shah Alam the only two longest surviving of this witness devastating attacked by Nadir Shah in 1739 and Ahmad Shah Abdali who attacked during 1748- 67 for six times.
These aggressions left the foundation of the Mughal dynasty completely shaken apart from the leading to rebellious, revolt to cessation by regional powers all around.
Several reasons were there for the downfall of the Mughal dynasty. These reasons are internals as well as external which affected the downfall of the Mughal Empire and gave an opportunity for British to rule India.
The internal causes for the Mughal decline were the weaker successors of Aurangzeb, jagirdari crisis where the Mughal rule became the rule of nobility.
There was divisiveness nobility on the basis of religion homeland and tribute as well as mutual rivalry and jealousy and the contest for the power contributed to their decline.
There was financial and administrative crisis during Aurangzeb reign with the number of Mansabdars increasing and the distribution of land decreasing. The constant luxurious lifestyles of the nobles led to the drainage of wealth from treasury. Trade and scientific innovation were not given importance.
Coming of the Europeans:
In the 18th century with the weakening of Mughal central authority the East India company acted as war lords and profited from the confused times. European company out did Indian princes in every sphere where it was trading commerce.
The territorial gain of the East India Company destroyed all the chances of revival of the Mughal Empire. The British won the Battle of Plassey and thereafter continued to expand their empire in the Deccan and in the Gangetic regions.
With the flow of time they were able to establish their hold over the whole India and there could not be any chance for the revival of the Mughal Empire.
Rise in Regional Powers:
The Mughal Empire was empire only for the namesake after 1761 as its weaknesses had enabled the total local power to assert their independence. Yet the symbolic authorities of the Mughal emperor continued as he was considered to be the source of political legitimacy.
The new state did not directly challenge his authority and constantly sought his sanction to legitimize their rule. The emergence of these state in the 18th century therefore represented a transformation rather than collapse of the polity. It's signified a decentralization of power and not a political chaos.
Central authorities lead to the emergence of regional kingdoms such as Hyderabad, Awadh and Bengal as well as the contribution of the regional rulers and their internal conflicts. These states were known as Successor States.
The emergence of Maratha confederacy and finally the breakup of Marathas into five Maratha kingdoms of Bhosale, Gaikwad, Holkar, Shindhia and Satara was an important phase. Maratha, Sikhs, and Jats states were the New States.
Consolidation of the Sikh under the Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the rise of Rajput states and the contribution of this Kingdom towards the Indian administration polity and culture has been an important aspect of this 18th century. Mysore, Kerala and Rajputs states can be framed as Independent State.
Economic Impact of Colonial Policies in India:
With the emergence and dominance of the idea of laissez faire Capitalism and free market in England Monopoly of East India company was gradually abolished to the charter act of 1813 and 1823.
The free trade between India and Britain was largely in favor of Britain due to the restriction placed on Indian exports India mainly exported raw materials and imported industrial goods. This change made India an important country.
The development of railways telegraph extra was made because of the surplus capital that Britain acquired and investment which they made in India. Policies of laissez faire which favor the free trade lead to gradual abolition of monopoly of East India Company.
It is noticeable that the trade was free only through one way high duties were placed on Indian goods that were imported by Britain.
Important Development in India before 1857:
Postal service: The East India company domination in India had no universal Public postal service before 1837. Although courier services did exist connecting the more important towns with their respective seat of provisional government private individuals were upon payments and only sparingly allowed their use.
That situation changed in 1837 when by an Act XVII of that year a public post run by the company's government was established in the company's territory in India. After the evaluations of Indian Postal System were received in 1850 the Act XVII got suspended by the Indian Postal act of 1854.
Telegraph: During the period 1820 to 1830 the East India company is government in India seriously focused on constructing telegraph i.e the signaling of the towers. By February 1855 all speed telegraph lines had been constructed and were being used to send messages.
But in the year 1857 during the Indian rebellion more than 700 miles of telegraph lines were destroyed by the Rebel forces mainly in the North Western provinces. The East India company were nevertheless able to use the remaining intact lines to warn many outposts of impending disturbance.
The political value of the new technologies were thus, driven home to the company and following the year not only destroyed lines very belt but also new networks were expanded for the by two thousand miles.
Press in India: Introduction of press in India was introduced by the Portuguese in 16th century basically and initial attempt to publish newspaper were made by the disgruntled East India employees.
The first newspaper in India and titled the Bengal Gazette in 1780. To which the censorship of the press Act was passed in 1799 and in the year 1823 the licensing regulation for press was passed.
A new press Act was passed which required a declaration giving the account of premises of publication as the earlier press Act had some restrictions related to publication and licensing. This new act led to the growth of newspapers all over the country.
Railways: Construction of railway began first in 1849 on the East Indian railway lines, which was the first leg of the Bombay Kalyan line that in 1853 was the first to be completed.
In the year 1849 the East Indian railway company was awarded to construct a 120 miles railway from Howrah Calcutta to Raniganj to the great Indian peninsula railway company for a service from Mumbai to Kalyan and to the Madras railway company for a line from Madras City to Arakkonam.
It should be noted that the development of railways was also not accomplished by the development of ancillary industries therefore it heralded a Commercial Revolution by penetrating deep into the markets of India rather than facilitating the Industrial Revolution.
Canals: In 1817 the first irrigation work was undertaken. The first new British work with no Indian antecedents was the Ganges canal built between 1842 and 1854.
After the Agra famine of 1837 during which the East India companies administration spend a large amount on famine relief, the idea of a canal became more attractive to the companies but that conscious court of directors.
A 350 mile long candle with another 300 miles of branch lines was completed the Ganga canal was officially opened in 1854 by Lord Dalhousie.
Written by: Rakhi Sharma
Edited by: Gourav Chowdhury
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