Mains Practice Questions

Introduction

The 18^th century witnessed the fragmentation of the Mughal Empire and the rise of regional powers like the Marathas, Nawabs of Bengal, Nizam of Hyderabad, and others.

• While often seen as a symptom of Mughal decline, this period also represented a transformative phase in state-building, marked by the adaptation of new administrative, economic, and military frameworks suited to local conditions and aspirations.

Body

Regional Power Centers as a Reflection of Mughal Decline:

• Breakdown of Central Control: The weakening of imperial finances, inability to manage vast territories, and internal rebellions diminished the Mughal capacity to govern.
  • Regional elites, including governors (subedars) and zamindars, asserted autonomy.
• Fragmentation of Military Authority: Mughal military decline allowed regional powers like the Marathas and Sikhs to expand territorially.
• Collapse of Administrative Networks: Declining revenue collection mechanisms and corruption led to regional powers building localized governance structures.

Emergence of New Forms of State-Building:

• Localized Governance: Regional powers like the Marathas adapted decentralized governance through the ashtapradhan system.
  • Nawabs of Bengal and Awadh emphasized pragmatic revenue collection suited to local agrarian conditions.
• Revenue Systems: Marathas developed the chauth and sardeshmukhi systems to extract revenue across vast territories.
• Trade and Commerce: Regional states fostered commercial networks and trade links with European companies.
  • Bengal, under Murshid Quli Khan, became a hub of textile production and international trade.
• Professional Armies: Many states moved from feudal contingents to standing armies, such as the Maratha light cavalry or the Mysorean armies under Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan.

Conclusion

The emergence of regional power centers in the 18^th century was more than a symptom of Mughal decline. It marked a phase of creative state-building, characterized by administrative pragmatism, economic innovation, and cultural resurgence. This period laid the groundwork for modern state systems and demonstrated the adaptive capacity of Indian political structures in the face of changing circumstances.