Eighteenth-Century Political Formations Class 7 Free Notes and Mind Map (Free PDF Download)

This chapter tells about new political powers in India from 1707 to 1761. It starts with the Mughal Empire getting weak after Aurangzeb. Then it shows how Rajputs, Sikhs, Marathas, and Jats made their own states. The British also grew strong in the east by 1765. It explains how these changes happened fast in the eighteenth century.

1. Introduction to the Eighteenth Century

• Time Period:
  • This chapter covers the years from 1707 to 1761.
  • It starts with Aurangzeb’s death and ends with the third battle of Panipat.
• Changing Politics:
  • New political groups grew in India during this time.
  • Things changed fast in just a few decades.
• British Rise:
  • By 1765, the British took big parts of eastern India.
  • This shows how power shifted in the eighteenth century.

2. The Crisis of the Mughal Empire

• Aurangzeb’s Rule:
  • The Mughal Empire was strong under Aurangzeb.
  • But it faced many problems by the late 1600s.
• War in the Deccan:
  • Aurangzeb fought a long war in the Deccan.
  • This used up the empire’s money and army.
• Weak Administration:
  • After Aurangzeb, the empire’s system weakened.
  • Later emperors couldn’t control their nobles.
• Powerful Governors:
  • Nobles called subadars became very strong.
  • They controlled revenue and military offices.
• Less Money to Delhi:
  • Governors kept money from provinces.
  • Less revenue reached the Mughal capital.
• Rebellions:
  • Peasants and zamindars rebelled in the north and west.
  • Some fought high taxes, others wanted power.
• Past Challenges:
  • Rebellions happened before Aurangzeb too.
  • But now rebels took control of resources.
• Financial Trouble:
  • A writer said lords had no money despite rich harvests.
  • Peasants kept crops, leaving lords poor.

3. Invasions and Mughal Decline

• Nadir Shah’s Attack:
  • In 1739, Nadir Shah from Iran attacked Delhi.
  • He took away huge amounts of wealth.
• What Was Taken:
  • He looted sixty lakhs in rupees and gold coins.
  • Jewels worth crores and the Peacock Throne were stolen.
• Delhi’s Ruin:
  • Rich people became poor after the attack.
  • The city was destroyed and many suffered.
• Ahmad Shah Abdali:
  • Abdali from Afghanistan raided north India five times.
  • This happened between 1748 and 1761.
• Noble Fights:
  • Nobles split into Iranis and Turanis groups.
  • They fought each other for control.
• Weak Emperors:
  • Some emperors were killed by nobles.
  • Others were blinded and lost power.

4. Rise of New States

• Provincial Power:
  • Governors and zamindars took over regions.
  • Awadh, Bengal, and Hyderabad became strong.
• British Growth:
  • The British grabbed land in the east by 1765.
  • They became a big power in India.

5. The Rajputs

• Rajput Loyalty:
  • Many Rajput kings served the Mughals well.
  • Amber and Jodhpur kings got freedom in their lands.
• New Ambitions:
  • In the 1700s, they wanted more control.
  • They tried to take nearby areas.
• Ajit Singh:
  • Ajit Singh ruled Jodhpur and played Mughal politics.
  • He became governor of Gujarat.
• Jai Singh:
  • Sawai Raja Jai Singh ruled Amber.
  • He was governor of Malwa and Agra.
• Expanding Lands:
  • Jodhpur took Nagaur for itself.
  • Amber grabbed parts of Bundi.
• Jaipur City:
  • Jai Singh built Jaipur as his new capital.
  • He got Agra’s subadari in 1722.
• Maratha Pressure:
  • From the 1740s, Marathas attacked Rajasthan.
  • This stopped Rajput growth.
• Forts and Power:
  • Rajputs built strong forts on hills.
  • These had towns, palaces, and water systems.
• Jai Singh’s Fame:
  • A 1732 account said Jai Singh was very powerful.
  • He had a big army and ruled widely.

6. The Sikhs

• Early Organisation:
  • Sikhs became a political group in the 1600s.
  • Guru Gobind Singh fought Mughals and Rajputs.
• Khalsa Start:
  • The Khalsa began in 1699 under Guru Gobind Singh.
  • It made Sikhs stronger against enemies.
• Banda Bahadur:
  • After 1708, Banda Bahadur led a revolt.
  • He made coins and ruled between Sutlej and Jamuna.
• Banda’s End:
  • Mughals caught Banda in 1715.
  • He was killed in 1716.
• Sikh Bands:
  • Sikhs formed groups called jathas and misls.
  • Their big army was the dal khalsa.
• Meetings:
  • They met at Amritsar on Baisakhi and Diwali.
  • Decisions were called gurmatas.
• Rakhi System:
  • They protected farmers for 20% of their crops.
  • This was called the rakhi tax.
• Fighting Abdali:
  • Sikhs resisted Ahmad Shah Abdali’s attacks.
  • They took Punjab and Sirhind from him.
• Sikh Coins:
  • In 1765, they made their own coins again.
  • These showed their independent rule.
• Maharaja Ranjit Singh:
  • Ranjit Singh united Sikhs in the late 1700s.
  • He made Lahore his capital in 1799.

7. The Marathas

• Shivaji’s Kingdom:
  • Shivaji started the Maratha state in 1630.
  • He fought Mughals with warrior families.
• Maratha Army:
  • Kunbi peasants were the main soldiers.
  • They moved fast to attack Mughals.
• Peshwa Rule:
  • After Shivaji, Peshwas led the Marathas.
  • Poona became the new capital.
• Shivaji’s Life:
  • Born in 1630 to Shahji and Jija Bai.
  • He grew strong under his mother and guardian.
• Early Wins:
  • Taking Javli made him a leader.
  • He used guerrilla fighting against enemies.
• Administration:
  • Shivaji set up a good revenue system.
  • Chauth and sardeshmukhi taxes helped him.
• Maratha Leaders:
  • Sambhaji, Rajaram, and Tarabai followed Shivaji.
  • Shahu Maharaj and Baji Rao I expanded further.
• Expansion:
  • By the 1720s, they took Malwa and Gujarat.
  • In the 1730s, they ruled the Deccan.
• Big Growth:
  • After 1737, they reached Rajasthan and Punjab.
  • They also went to Bengal and south India.
• Tribute Lands:
  • Many areas paid tribute to Marathas.
  • This showed their power, not direct rule.
• Third Battle:
  • In 1761, Marathas lost at Panipat.
  • Other rulers didn’t help them.
• Revenue System:
  • They made a smart tax system later.
  • This helped agriculture and trade grow.
• Maratha Chiefs:
  • Sindhia, Gaekwad, and Bhonsle built armies.
  • They ruled Gwalior, Baroda, and Nagpur.
• City Growth:
  • Ujjain and Indore became big under Marathas.
  • New trade routes linked to Poona.

8. The Jats

• Jat Power:
  • Jats grew strong in the late 1600s and 1700s.
  • Churaman led them west of Delhi.
• Control Areas:
  • By the 1680s, they ruled between Delhi and Agra.
  • They looked after Agra for a time.
• Farming and Trade:
  • Jats were rich farmers.
  • Panipat and Ballabhgarh became trade hubs.
• Suraj Mal’s State:
  • Suraj Mal made Bharatpur a strong kingdom.
  • He ruled from 1756 to 1763.
• Fighting Mughals:
  • His son Jawahir Shah had a big army.
  • He hired Marathas and Sikhs to fight.
• Forts and Palaces:
  • Jats built the strong Lohagarh fort.
  • Dig had a palace like Amber and Agra styles.

9. Questions and Answers

9.1 Let’s Recall

• True or False:
  • (a) Nadir Shah invaded Bengal—False.
    • He attacked Delhi, not Bengal.
  • (b) Sawai Raja Jai Singh ruled Indore—False.
    • He ruled Amber, not Indore.
  • © Guru Gobind Singh was the tenth Guru—True.
    • He was the tenth Sikh Guru.
  • (d) Poona was the Maratha capital—True.
    • It became the capital in the 1700s.

9.2 Let’s Discuss

• Sikh Organisation:
  • Sikhs had jathas and misls in the 1700s.
  • The dal khalsa was their united army.
• Maratha Expansion:
  • Marathas wanted more land and money.
  • They went beyond the Deccan for power.
• Merchants Today:
  • Merchants had big influence in the 1700s.
  • Today, they don’t control politics as much.
• State Changes:
  • Old kingdoms shaped life in the 1700s.
  • Today, states have modern systems.

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