Case Study Questions Class 7 History Chapter 8 Eighteenth Century Political Formations
CBSE Class 7 Case Study Questions History Eighteenth Century Political Formations. Important Case Study Questions for Class 7 Board Exam Students. Here we have arranged some Important Case Base Questions for students who are searching for Paragraph Based Questions Eighteenth Century Political Formations.
Case Study 1
Emperor Aurangzeb had depleted the military and financial resources of his empire by fighting a long war in the Deccan.Under his successors, the efficiency of the imperial administration broke down. It became increasingly difficult for the later Mughal emperors to keep a check on their powerful mansabdars. Nobles appointed as governors (subadars) often controlled the offices of revenue and military administration (diwani and faujdari) as well. This gave them extraordinary political, economic and military powers over vast regions of the Mughal Empire. As the governors consolidated their control over the provinces, the periodic remission of revenue to the capital declined. Peasant and zamindari rebellions in many parts of northern and western India added to these problems. These revolts were sometimes caused by the pressures of mounting taxes. At other times they were attempts by powerful chieftains to consolidate their own positions. Mughal authority had been challenged by rebellious groups in the past as well. But these groups were now able to seize the economic resources of the region to consolidate their positions. The Mughal emperors after Aurangzeb were unable to arrest the gradual shifting of political and economic authority into the hands of provincial governors, local chieftains and other groups.
1.) Why was it difficult for the successors of Aurangzeb to establish control?
Ans. Emperor Aurangzeb had depleted the military and financial resources of his empire by fighting a long war in the Deccan. Under his successors, the efficiency of the imperial administration broke down. It became increasingly difficult for the later Mughal emperors to keep a check on their powerful mansabdars
2.) Who was in charge of controlling the office of revenue after the reign of Aurangzeb?
Ans. Nobles appointed as governors (subadars) often controlled the offices of revenue and military administration (diwani and faujdari) as well
3.) Why did the periodic remission of revenue to the capital decline?
Ans. Since the Subedars controlled the administration and office of profit, the governors governors consolidated their control over the provinces and hence the periodic remission of revenue to the capital declined.
4.) Why were there peasant and zamindari rebellion during the time?
Ans. Peasant and zamindarirevolts were sometimes caused by the pressures of mounting taxes. At other times they were attempts by powerful chieftains to consolidate their own positions.
5.) How did the Mughal emperors after Aurangzeb fail in establishing control and keeping a check on rebellious activities?
Ans. Mughal authority had been challenged by rebellious groups in the past as well. But these groups were now able to seize the economic resources of the region to consolidate their positions. The Mughal emperors after Aurangzeb were unable to arrest the gradual shifting of political and economic authority into the hands of provincial governors, local chieftains and other groups.
Case Study 2
In the midst of this economic and political crisis, the ruler of Iran, (1), sacked and plundered the city of Delhi in 1739 and took away immense amounts of wealth. This invasion was followed by a series of plundering raids by the Afghan ruler (2), who invaded north India five times between 1748 and 1761. Already under severe pressure from all sides, the empire was further weakened by competition amongst different groups of nobles. They were divided into two major groups or factions, the Iranis and Turanis (nobles of Turkish descent).. The worst possible humiliation came when two Mughal emperors, Farrukh Siyar (1713–1719) and Alamgir II (1754–1759) were assassinated, and two others, Ahmad Shah (1748–1754) and Shah Alam II (1759 –1816) were blinded by their nobles. With the decline in the authority of the Mughal emperors, the governors of large provinces, subadars, and the great zamindars consolidated their authority in different parts of the subcontinent, such as (3), (4) and (5).
1.) Name the ruler mentioned as (1) above.
Ans. Nadir Shah
2.) Name the Afghan ruler mentioned as (2) above.
Ans. Ahmed Shah Abdali
3.) What were the two groups of nobles that were always at competition with each other?
Ans. Iranis and Turanis
4.) What was the worst humiliation faced by the Mughal rulers after the reign of Aurangzeb?
Ans. The worst possible humiliation came when two Mughal emperors, Farrukh Siyar (1713–1719) and Alamgir II (1754–1759) were assassinated, and two others, Ahmad Shah (1748–1754) and Shah Alam II (1759 –1816) were blinded by their nobles.
5.) Name the states mentioned as 3, 4 and 5 above.
Ans. Awadh, Bengal and Hyderabad
Case Study 3
Many Rajput kings, particularly those belonging to Amber and Jodhpur, had served under the Mughals with distinction. In exchange, they were permitted to enjoy considerable autonomy in their watan jagirs. In the eighteenth century, these rulers now attempted to extend their control over adjacent regions. Ajit Singh, the ruler of Jodhpur, was also involved in the factional politics at the Mughal court. These influential Rajput families claimed the subadari of the rich provinces of Gujarat and Malwa. Raja Ajit Singh of Jodhpur held the governorship of Gujarat and Sawai Raja Jai Singh of Amber was the governor of Malwa. These offices were renewed by Emperor Jahandar Shah in 1713. They also tried to extend their territories by seizing portions of imperial territories neighbouring their watans. Nagaur was conquered and annexed to the house of Jodhpur, while Amber seized large portions of Bundi. Sawai Raja Jai Singh founded his new capital at Jaipur and was given the subadari of Agra in 1722.
1.) Name two cities whose Rajput kings served under the Mughals.
Ans. Amber and Jodhpur
2.) What did the Rajput kings get in exchange of serving the Mughals?
Ans. The Rajput kings served under the Mughals and in exchange they were permitted to enjoy considerable autonomy in their watan jagirs.
3.) Which Rajput ruler assumed the governorship of Gujarat?
Ans. Raja Ajit singh of Jodhpur
4.) Name the Rajput ruler who became the governor of Malwa.
Ans. Sawai Raja Jai Singh of Amber
5.) How did the Rajput kings extend their kingdoms?
Ans. Raja ajitsingh became the governor of Gujarat and Sawai Raja Jai singh became the governor of Malwa. They also tried to extend their territories by seizing portions of imperial territories neighbouring their watans. Nagaur was conquered and annexed to the house of Jodhpur, while Amber seized large portions of Bundi
6.) In which city did Sawai Raja Jai singh find his new capital?
Ans. Jaipur
Case Study 3
The organisation of the Sikhs into a political community during the seventeenth century helped in regional state-building in the (1). Several battles were fought by Guru Gobind Singh against the Rajput and Mughal rulers, both before and after the institution of the Khalsa in 1699. After his death in 1708, the Khalsa rose in revolt against the Mughal authority under Banda Bahadur’s leadership, declared their sovereign rule by striking coins in the name of Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh, and established their own administration between the Sutlej and the Jamuna. Banda Bahadur was captured in 1715 and executed in 1716.Under a number of able leaders in the eighteenth century, the Sikhs organised themselves into a number of bands called jathas, and later on misls. Their combined forces were known as the grand army (dal khalsa). The entire body used to meet at Amritsar at the time of Baisakhi and Diwali to take collective decisions known as “resolutions of the Guru (gurmatas)”. A system called rakhi was introduced, offering protection to cultivators on the payment of a tax of 20 per cent of the produce.
1.) Name the state mentioned as 1 above.
Ans. Punjab
2.) Which Sikh ruler fought battles against the Mughals and Rajputs?
Ans. Guru Gobind Singh
3.) What happened to the Khalsa after the death of Guru Gobind Singh?
Ans. After his death in 1708, the Khalsa rose in revolt against the Mughal authority under Banda Bahadur’s leadership, declared their sovereign rule by striking coins in the name of Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh, and established their own administration between the Sutlej and the Jamuna.
4.) Where did Banda Bahadur establish his own administration?
Ans. He established his own administration between the Sutlej and Jamuna.
5.) How did the Sikhs organize themselves after the death of Banda Bahadur?
Ans. Under a number of able leaders in the eighteenth century, the Sikhs organised themselves into a number of bands called jathas, and later on misls. Their combined forces were known as the grand army (dal khalsa). The entire body used to meet at Amritsar at the time of Baisakhi and Diwali to take collective decisions known as “resolutions of the Guru (gurmatas)”
6.) What was the system of Rakhis?
Ans. A system called rakhi was introduced, offering protection to cultivators on the payment of a tax of 20 per cent of the produce.
Case Study 4
Guru Gobind Singh had inspired the Khalsa with the belief that their destiny was to rule (raj karegakhalsa). Their well-knit organisation enabled them to put up a successful resistance to the Mughal governors first and then to (1) who had seized the rich province of the Punjab and the Sarkar of Sirhind from the Mughals. The Khalsa declared their sovereign rule by striking their own coin again in 1765. Significantly, this coin bore the same inscription as the one on the orders issued by the Khalsa in the time of Banda Bahadur. The Sikh territories in the late eighteenth century extended from the Indus to the Jamuna but they were divided under different rulers. One of them, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, reunited these groups and established his capital at Lahore in 1799.
1.) How did Guru Gobind Singh inspire the Khalsa?
Ans. Guru Gobind Singh had inspired the Khalsa with the belief that their destiny was to rule (raj karegakhalsa).
2.) Name the ruler mentioned as (1) above.
Ans. Ahmed Shah Abdali
3.) How did the Khalsa declare their sovereign?
Ans. The Khalsa declared their sovereign rule by striking their own coin again in 1765. Significantly, this coin bore the same inscription as the one on the orders issued by the Khalsa in the time of Banda Bahadur
4.) What was the extent of the sikh territories?
Ans. The Sikh territories in the late eighteenth century extended from the Indus to the Jamuna but they were divided under different rulers
5.) Which ruler united the divided rulers of the Sikh territories? Where did he establish their capital?
Ans. Maharaja Ranjit Singh, reunited the groups and established his capital at Lahore in 1799.
Case Study 5
(1) carved out a stable kingdom with the support of powerful warrior families (deshmukhs). Groups of highly mobile, peasantpastoralists (kunbis) provided the backbone of the Maratha army. Shivaji used these forces to challenge the Mughals in the peninsula. After Shivaji’s death, effective power in the Maratha state was wielded by a family of Chitpavan Brahmanas who served Shivaji’s successors as Peshwa (or principal minister). Poona became the capital of the Maratha kingdom. Under the Peshwas, the Marathas developed a very successful military organisation. Their success lay in bypassing the fortified areas of the Mughals, by raiding cities and by engaging Mughal armies in areas where their supply lines and reinforcements could be easily disturbed. Between 1720 and 1761, the Maratha empire expanded. It gradually chipped away at the authority of the Mughal Empire. Malwa and Gujarat were seized from the Mughals by the 1720s. By the 1730s, the Maratha king was recognised as the overlord of the entire Deccan peninsula. He possessed the right to levychauth and sardeshmukhi in the entire region.
1.) Name the ruler mentioned as (1) above.
Ans. Shivaji
2.) How did Shivaji challenge the Mughal army?
Ans. Shivaji carved out a stable kingdom with the support of powerful warrior families (deshmukhs). Groups of highly mobile, peasantpastoralists (kunbis) provided the backbone of the Maratha army. Shivaji used these forces to challenge the Mughals in the peninsula.
3.) What was the capital of the Maratha kingdom.
Ans. Poona
4.) How do we know that the Maratha empire under the peshwas was flourishing and successful?
Ans. Their success lay in bypassing the fortified areas of the Mughals, by raiding cities and by engaging Mughal armies in areas where their supply lines and reinforcements could be easily disturbed. Between 1720 and 1761, the Maratha empire expanded. It gradually chipped away at the authority of the Mughal Empire
5.) What was Chauth and Sardeshmukhi?
Ans. Chauth was a method of taxation under which 25 per cent of the land revenue claimed by zamindars. In the Deccan, this was collected by the Marathas. Sardeshmukhiwas a tax in which 9–10 per cent of the land revenue paid to the head revenue collector in the Deccan.
Case Study 6
Alongside endless military campaigns, the Marathas developed an effective administrative system as well. Once conquest had been completed and Maratha rule was secure, revenue demands were gradually introduced taking local conditions into account. Agriculture was encouraged and trade revived. This allowed Maratha chiefs (sardars) like Sindhia of Gwalior, Gaekwad of Baroda and Bhonsle of Nagpur the resources to raise powerful armies. Maratha campaigns into Malwa in the 1720s did not challenge the growth and prosperity of the cities in the region. Ujjain expanded under (1) patronage and Indore under (2). By all accounts, these cities were large and prosperous and functioned as important commercial and cultural centres. New trade routes emerged within the areas controlled by the Marathas. The silk produced in the Chanderi region now found a new outlet in Poona, the Maratha capital. Burhanpur which had earlierparticipated in the trade between Agra and Surat now expanded its hinterland to include Poona and Nagpur in the South and Lucknow and Allahabad in the East.
1.) What was done once the Maratha rule was secure after the conquests?
Ans. Once conquest had been completed and Maratha rule was secure, revenue demands were gradually introduced taking local conditions into account
2.) How did the marathas raise powerful armies?
Ans. Since the maratha rulers encouraged agriculture and revived trade, the revenue from both the activities was used to gather large armies.
3.) Name some Maratha chiefs also known as Sardars.
Ans. Sindhia of Gwalior, Gaekwad of Baroda and Bhonsle of Nagpur
4.) Name the rulers mentioned as (1) and (2) above.
Ans. Sindhia and Holkar
5.) What was the extent of Burhanpur region?
Ans. Burhanpur which had earlier participated in the trade between Agra and Surat now expanded its hinterland to include Poona and Nagpur in the South and Lucknow and Allahabad in the East.
Case Study 7
Under their leader, (1) theJats acquired control over territories situated to the west of the city of Delhi, and by the 1680s, they had begun dominating the region between the two imperial cities of Delhi and Agra. For a while, they became the virtual custodians of the city of Agra. The Jats were prosperous agriculturists, and towns like Panipat and Ballabhgarh became important trading centres in the areas dominated by them. Under Suraj Mal the kingdom of Bharatpur emerged as a strong state. When Nadir Shah sacked Delhi in 1739, many of the city’s notables took refuge there. His son Jawahir Shah had 30,000 troops of his own and hired another 20,000 Maratha and 15,000 Sikh troops to fight the Mughals. While the Bharatpur fort was built in a fairly traditional style, at Dig the Jats built an elaborate garden palace combining styles seen at Amber and Agra. Its buildings were modelled on architectural forms first associated with royalty under (2).
1.) Name the person mentioned as 1 above.
Ans. Churaman
2.) Name the two cities that were being dominated by the Jats.
Ans. Delhi and Agra
3.) Which towns were important trading centres for the Jats?
Ans. . The Jats were prosperous agriculturists, and towns like Panipat and Ballabhgarh became important trading centres in the areas dominated by them
4.) What role did the jats play during the invasion of Nadir Shah?
Ans. Under Suraj Mal the kingdom of Bharatpur emerged as a strong state. When Nadir Shah sacked Delhi in 1739, many of the city’s notables took refuge there. His son Jawahir Shah had 30,000 troops of his own and hired another 20,000 Maratha and 15,000 Sikh troops to fight the Mughals.
5.) Name the ruler mentioned as 2 above.
Ans. Shah Jahan.
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