State of Politics, Culture and Economy on the Eve of British Conquest

2020-04-27 12:39 :45

Politics

Weakening of centralised Mughal empire, dispersal of political power but no collapse


Richard Eaton - ideological and bureaucratic structure of Mughal imperialism continued to expand in Bengal delta

Constant adjustment b/w centripetal/centralised kingship and centrifugal/local loyalties
Rise of Vaishnavism in Bengal; Firangi Mahal in Lucknow as rationalist Islamic thought
Deccani sufi culture in Hyderabd and Arcot, Sringeri Math by TS


Satish Chandra - trade was resilient both internal and external continued


CA Bayly : "creation of new wealth and social power in provinces" resulted in decline of centralised Mughal power

Education was linked to one's culture and religion for both Hindus and Muslims
Chatuspatis or Tols came up in Bengal. Kasi, andia, Mithila, Utkala were centres for Sanskrit learning
Bernier described Kasi as Athens of India.
Perisan and Arabic learning centres were Madrasahs. Azimabad/Patna was an imp centre
Elementary education was taught in Pathshalas and Makhtabs and subjects were reading, writing and arithmetic.

Emergence of strong regional principalities -> development of local cultural forms
Asaf ud Daula builth the Great Imambara for celebrating Muharram festival.
Sawai Jai Singh built pink city of Jaipur and 5 astronomical observatories.
Ranjit Singh renovated Golden Temple.
Vernacular Languages dev.
Chritian Missionaries set up the printing press and vernacular Bible was printed and circulated.
Danish missionary Ziegenbelg composed Tamil version of the Bible

Basic unit was still self-sufficient and self-governing village community. Its link with state was land revenue and they(village community) lasted when nothing else seemed to last.
Town handicrafts had a world wide market
Cotton from Dacca, Ahmedabad Masulipatnam; Silk from Murshidabad, Agra, Lahore, Gujarat; Woolen Shawls and Carpet; Gold and Silver Jewellery, metal work and utensils, arms etc were produced and exported.
Trade eventually brought into existence of merchant-capitalists and banking system into play. Jagath Seths, Nagar Seths, Chetties in the south etc -> some pre condition of the rapid growth of capitalism did exist.
Absence of codified laws and lack of political stability was limiting factors

Misc.

"The Battle of Plassey that decided the fate of Bengal was won by Clive through intrigues." Explain. [2014, 15m]

The political disintegration was responsible for the socio---economic decline in India during the 18th century." Comment [2017, 20 Marks]