Decline of Mughal Empire

Causes &Consequences

 How far was Aurangzeb responsible for the decline of the Mughal Empire?
 How far did Mughal weaknesses from 1707 make decline inevitable?
 What role did the East India Company play in the decline of the Empire?
 How successful was British expansion in the sub-continent to 1857?

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 A general overview of the course of, and reasons for, British annexation of the territories which now
encompass Pakistan (including the Anglo-Sikh wars and the annexations of Lahore, the Punjab and
Peshawar)/ The British search for a ‘natural’ and ‘scientific’ NW Frontier

Introduction to Mughal Empire

At a certain period in history from the middle of the 1500s to the beginning of the 1700s, the Mughal
Empire controlled almost the entire Indian subcontinent. It stretched from the edges of the Indus
river basin, northern Afghanistan and Kashmir in the North West to the now-Assam and Bangladesh
highlands in the east, and down to the uplands of Deccan plateau in the south. This growth
harnessing immense power and money was thanks to the first six Mughal emperors of the dynasty
Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb.
BABUR (AD 1526-1530)
BABUR, the founder of the largest dynasty India has ever seen-- the Mughals, was born on February
14, 1483. Considered as one of the finest Mughal emperors, Babur succeeded in securing the
dynasty's position in Delhi after a series of sultanates failed to consolidate their seats and his empire
went on to rule for over 300 years in India. He passed away on December 26 in 1530. He was 48.
Babur was invited by Daulat Khan Lodi, a rebel of the Lodi dynasty, in 1524, to invade North India
and fight the dynasty and their enemies in Rajputana. Rajputana was ruled by a Hindu Rajput
confederacy, led by Mewar king Rana Sanga. In 1526, Babur won the Battle of Panipat against
Ibrahim Lodi, the Lodi king. He captured Delhi and founded the greatest dynasty of North India -- the
Mughal Empire. He wrote his autobiography, Baburnama, in Chaghatai Turkic. It was translated to
Persian during the reign of his grandson Akbar.

HUMAYUN (AD 1530-1556)

Babur’s son, Humayun, built Dinpanah at Delhi as his second capital. Humayun fought two battles
with Sher Shah Suri and was ultimately defeated: Battle of Chausa (AD 1539) and Battle of Kannauj
(AD 1540). Humayun had to face many difficulties right from his accession on the throne. His own
character, his brothers and relatives and the legacy from Babur created several problems for him.
But his greatest enemy was again the Afghans who yet aspired to capture the throne of Delhi from
the Mughals.
AKBAR (AD 1556-1605)
Akbar was born as Abu'l-Fath Jalal ud-din Muhammad Akbar on October 15, 1542. He spent his
youth learning to hunt, run, and fight, which made him a daring, powerful and a brave warrior
Akbar succeeded his father, Humayun, in 1556. The 13-year-old Akbar was enthroned by Bairam
Khan and was proclaimed Shehanshah. Since Akbar was only a teenager, Bairam Khan ruled on his
behalf until he came of age. Akbar was given the nickname 'the Great' because of his many
accomplishments, among which, was his record of unbeaten military campaigns that established the
Mughal rule in the Indian subcontinent. Akbar fell ill on October 3, 1605, with an attack of

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dysentery. He is believed to have died on October 27, 1605. His body was buried at a mausoleum in
Sikandra, Agra.

SHAHN JAHAN (1592-1666)

Shah Jahan (Shahab-ud-din Muhammad Khurram) was one of the most successful emperors of the
Mughal Empire. He was the fifth Mughal ruler after Babur, Humayun, Akbar and Jahangir. After
winning the war of succession post the demise of his father Jahangir, Shah Jahan successfully ruled
the empire for 30 years. During his reign, the Mughal Empire thrived, making his reign the golden
era of the empire. Though Shah Jahan was an able administrator and commander, he is best known
for the construction of the Taj Mahal, which he built in the memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz
Mahal. Architecture in general saw the best of Mughal construction during his time. He is credited
with constructing many beautiful monuments throughout the landscape of North India. During his
final days, he was held captive by his son Aurangzeb, who went on to succeed him to the throne.
Aurangzeb (1618-1707)
He was born on November 3, 1618, the third son of Prince Khurram (who would become Emperor
Shah Jahan) and the Persian princess Arjumand Bano Begam. Aurangzeb expanded Mughal rule both
north and south, but his constant military campaigns and religious intolerance rankled many of his
subjects. He did not hesitate to torture and kill prisoners of war, political prisoners, and anyone he
considered un-Islamic. To make matters worse, the empire became over-extended and Aurangzeb
imposed ever higher taxes in order to pay for his wars. On March 3, 1707, the 88-year-old
Aurangzeb died in central India. He left an empire stretched to the breaking point and riddled with
rebellions. Under his son Bahadur Shah I, the Mughal Dynasty began its long, slow decline into
oblivion, which finally ended when the British sent the last emperor into exile in 1858  and
established the British Raj in India.
East India Company:
E.I.C was a trading company established by British traders, in 1600 AD, Queen Elizabeth granted
charter of trade to trade in the east of Africa. In 1612 Prince Khurram allowed E.I.C to trade with
India. The Trade proved very profitable and Trading Posts were setup at Madras (1640) at Bombay
(1664) and at Calcutta (1690). The Company started keeping an army of Indian soldiers to protect
their trading interest. During the 18th Century the East India Company gradually grew into a
military and Political Power and gradually captured whole India.
Q. What was Din-e-Elahi?
The final stage in the Akbar’s religious views came in 1582, when he promulgated the famous Deen-e-
Elahi. The Deen-e-Elahi had elements of both Islam and Hinduism and is characterized Divine
Monotheism. The religion soon wiped out after the death of Akbar as it was already not very famous in
Muslim community.
Q. Who was Ahmed Shah Durrani?

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Ahmad Shah Durrani also known as Ahmad Shah Abdali was the founder of the Durrani Empire and
is regarded to be the founder of the modern state of Afghanistan.  He was called by Shah Wali Ullah
to fight with the Marathas. In battle of Panipat he defeated the Marathas. Instead of ruling himself he
made Ahmed shah (Muhammad shah’s son) as the emperor and left.

Q. Who was Sir Robert Clive?

Robert Clive was an employee of the East India Company who helped to increase the EIC's power and
control in India. He was accused of corruption, although he was cleared of all charges. His victory at the
Battle of Plassey in 1757, and the Treaty of Allahabad began the EIC’s political control in India which led
to India becoming an important part of the British Empire. His impeachment for corruption was one of the
reasons why the government passed the India Act in 1784, which gave the British Parliament more control
over India. Clive for a long time was considered one of the 'heroes' of the British Empire, because of his
military victories. Nowadays, Clive is seen as an example of the negative side of empire and colonialism
because of his plundering of the wealth of India.

Q. What happened in Battle of Plassey? / What was Battle of Plassey?

The Battle of Plassey was a decisive victory of the British East India Company over the Nawab of Bengal
and his French allies on 23 June 1757, under the leadership of Robert Clive, which was possible due to the
defection of Mir Jafar, who was Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah's commander in chief. The battle helped the
Company to seize control of Bengal. Siraj-ud-Daulah had become the Nawab of Bengal the year before,
and he ordered the Britain to stop the extension of their fortification. Robert Clive bribed Mir Jafar, the
commander-in-chief of the Nawab's army, and also promised to make him Nawab of Bengal. Clive
defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah at Plassey in 1757 and captured Calcutta.

Q. What happened at battle of Buxar? / What was Battle of Buxar?

The battle of Buxar was fought on October 22, 1764 on the bank of river Ganges in Bengal between the
forces of the British East India Company and the combined strength of Mir Qasim, Nawab of Bengal,
Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula, Nawab of Oudh and Shah Alam, the Mughal Emperor. However, the predominant
numerical superiority of the native forces proved helpless and the British emerged victorious. The EIC now
took the control the revenue collection in Bengal, Bihar and Orissa and also extended its influence in
Oudh.

Q. Who Was Governor General Warren Hastings?

Hastings served as the company’s representative at the court of the Nawab of Bengal from 1758 to 1761
and then on the company’s Council, the controlling body for its affairs in Bengal, from 1761 to 1764. In
1784, Warren Hastings signed a treaty ending the first Maratha war between the British and Marathas.
This gave the British opportunity to extend their influence elsewhere. He introduced a number of reforms
in administration, revenue, finance, commerce and the judiciary. He received a doctorate of civil law from
Oxford in 1813, was sworn privy councilor in May 1814, and died, a rural recluse, on 22 August 1818.

Q. Who Was Governor General Lord Cornwallis?

Lord Cornwallis was a British army officer, administrator and diplomat who had previously served his
country during the War of American Independence. In 1786, he accepted the offer to take up the post of
Governor-General of Bengal on a condition that he will be given the supreme military command as well.
Under his guidance, the Cornwallis Code was developed which contained provisions for governing the
civil, policing and judiciary administration in British India. Cornwallis established courts in the districts,
provinces and states. Cornwallis introduced the Permanent Settlement of land revenue in Bengal and
other parts of India. Under this system, Zamindars or landlords were made the owners of the land, and the

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farmers were reduced to the status of tenants. The Zamindars had the right to evict the farmers at any time.
Cornwallis returned to England in 1793 and was replaced by Sir John Shore.

Q. Who Was Governor General Lord Wellesley?

Lord Wellesley served as the Governor General of India from 1798-1805 AD after Lord Cornwallis and
Sir John Shore. He was an Irish and British politician and colonial administrator. Lord Wellesley was an
excellent administrator who came to India in 1798 at a time when the British were locked in a life and
death struggle with France all over the world. Lord Wellesley decided that the time was ripe for bringing
as many Indian states as possible under British control. In 1799 Wellesley invaded Mysore and killed Tipu
Sultan, afterwards British took his land.
Q. Who was Titu Mir?
Syed Mir Nisar Ali commonly known as Titu Mir was a great Bengali freedom fighter and a peasant
leader who resisted the oppression of the local Zamindars and European. He proclaimed himself the king
and instigated the people for jihad He soon established his control over the districts. With an army of
fifteen thousand men; he had built a bamboo fort at Narkelbaria in October 1831. The British launched
attack on the Mujahideen on 14 November 1831. The Mujahideen with traditional weapons failed to resist
the English army equipped with modern arms, and took shelter inside the bamboo fort. The British opened
fire and totally destroyed the fort. There were heavy casualties on the side of the Mujahideen. Titu Mir
along with many of his followers was martyred on 19 November 1831.
Q. What was Charter Act of 1833?
The Charter Act of 1833 was passed in the British Parliament which renewed the East India Company’s
charter for another 20 years. This was also called the Government of India Act 1833 or the Saint Helena
Act 1833. It made the Governor-General of Bengal as the Governor-General of India and vested in him all
civil and military powers. It deprived the governor of Bombay and Madras of their legislative powers. The
Governor-General of India was given exclusive legislative powers for the entire British India. 
Q. Who was Lord Lytton?
Lord Lytton was an experienced diplomat and a man of striking ability and brilliance. The British Prime
Minister, Disraeli appointed him as the Viceroy of India.  During his viceroyalty Lytton worked to improve
the Indian administration and supervised his government's much-criticized response to the Great Famine of
1876-78. He introduced the Statutory Civil Service in India to provide jobs to loyal Indians and dampen
the spirit of the Indians, in general, to compete for covenanted services. Lord Lytton passed the Arms Act
in 1878 by which the Indians were asked to seek license to keep, sell or purchase arms.
Q. What was Vernacular Press Act, 1878?
In 1878, by Lord Lytton the Vernacular Press Act was passed. This Act empowered a Magistrate to
secure an undertaking from the editor, publisher and printer of a vernacular newspaper that nothing would
be published against the English Government. The equipment of the press could be seized if the offence
was committed. This Act crushed the freedom of the Indian press. This created adverse public opinion
against the British Government.
Q. what was doctrine of lapse?

The Doctrine of Lapse was an annexation policy followed widely by Lord Dalhousie, in1852, when he
was India’s Governor-General from 1848 to 1856. According to this, any princely state under the direct or
indirect (as a vassal) control of the East India Company where the ruler did not have a legal male heir
would be annexed by the company. As per this, any adopted son of the Indian ruler could not be
proclaimed as heir to the kingdom. Sitara, Jhansi, Nagpur and Oudh states were captured by British under

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 this doctrine. This was greatly opposed by the Indians and was one of the major causes of sepoy mutiny in
1857.
Q. What was Indian Arms Act, 1878?
After the 1857 Revolt, the responsibility of ruling India was directly assumed by the British Crown. Lord
Lytton became the Viceroy of India in 1858. The Indian Arms Act of 1878 was enacted by legislated
during Lord Lytton’s time. By this act, no Indians could manufacture, sell, possess, and carry firearms.
The offenders were to be punished both with fine and imprisonment for a maximum period of seven years.
The Act itself was discrimination which it made between the Indians and Englishmen on the basis of race,
was bitterly resented by the Indian people.
Q. How were British able to conquer the India?

The Mughal Empire was already in decline when the British began to expand their influence in India. At
that time there was no strong uniting force in India. It was a collection of disunited territories with a variety
of different rulers with different religions and cultures. They fought with each other and they often saw the
British as possible allies in their arguments with their neighbors, rather than potential enemies. It was also
true that many rulers were wealthy feudal lords living on their past history and allowing their states to
decline through neglect rather than aiming to reform and reinvigorate them. The Industrial Revolution in
Britain resulted in it being technologically much more advanced than India. It had superior weapons,
means of communication and the confidence that went with these technological advantages. Quite simply,
the British considered themselves superior to the Indians. They did not doubt that it was their right, if not
their duty, to spread their 'superior' culture across the globe. They saw India as a country in stagnation and
decline. There were great opportunities for profitable trade and for imposing efficient British
administrative systems on the sprawling giant of a country. A major reason for the British success in India
was that they always believed that they would succeed. Their political belief was that progress was
inevitable. Part of that progress was a belief that they were not only superior, but that they were destined to
rule large parts of the world.

Q. who was Tipu Sultan?

Tipu Sultan became the ruler after the death of his father Haider Ali. He was the ruler of Mysore, a
princely state in the south of India. Tipu proved to be a difficult enemy for the British. Unfortunately he
was also facing continuous attacks from his neighbors, the Nizam of Hyderabad Deccan and Marathas.  In
1791, he was defeated by Sir Hector Munro but his final defeat came in 1798 when his relative Mir Sadiq
deceived him. In the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War, the combined forces of the British and the Nizam of
Hyderabad defeated Tipu and he was killed on 4 May 1799, while defending his fort of Srirangapatna.

Q. According to Source A, why was Queen Victoria made Empress of India?

In May 1876, Benjamin Disraeli, the Conservative Prime Minister, made Queen Victoria Empress of India.
He said this would link the monarchy more closely with India and would underline Britain’s position as a
world power. The Queen was pleased with this arrangement and saw India as a jewel in the crown of her
empire, a place full of vibrant colors, gems, fruits and spices. As such Queen Victoria viewed India as a
land to be governed by British order and justice so that protection could be given to the Indian people
against war, rebellion, famine and illiteracy.

Ans: In May 1876, Benjamin Disraeli, the Conservative Prime Minister, made Queen Victoria Empress of
India to link the monarchy more closely with India and would underline Britain’s position as a world power.
Queen Victoria viewed India as a land to be governed by British order and justice so that protection could be
given to the Indian people against war, rebellion, famine and illiteracy. The Queen was pleased with this

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arrangement and saw India as a jewel in the crown of her empire, a place full of vibrant colors, gems,
fruits and spices.

(b) What can we learn from Source B about Tipu Sultan, ruler of Mysore? [5]

Ans: Surface Feature and Contextual knowledge

Tipu Sultan was known as the ‘Tiger/Sultan/Lion of Mysore’ as he was very brave and courageous, but for
the British he was a monster. He gave very tough time to the Britain with the help of his men and French
intervention. There were legends about Tipu Sultan killing a tiger with his bare hands as it is also shown in
Source B he is fighting with confidence, which infer his bravery and skills to deal with dangers and
uncertainties like Britain’s threat. His palace was decorated with tiger accessories and skins were used as
soft furnishings and he kept many tigers as pets in his Palace.

Q. Explain the impact of railways on the lives of Indian people in the nineteenth century. [7]

The British had brought the railways into India for their own benefit; and no one could have imagined that a
transportation system would unite the states and bring them together to form a nation. They made railways
an integral ingredient of the country's social fabric. The social impact of the railways emerged from the very
beginning.  The railways made India mobile and opened up new vistas and opportunities for its people. It
brought in new expertise and trades, new technology and above all, it gave the people a sense of freedom.
Before the advent of the railways in India, only a very small proportion of agricultural output was exported
as agriculture was carried on only for subsistence. But railways transformed its nature by commercializing

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it. Railways made India’s agriculture internationally competitive and, as a result, a floodgate of exports of
agricultural products such as wheat, rice, jute oilseeds, and cotton was opened up.
In the manufacturing sector, the multiplier effects of railways’ investment on output and employment were
equally mixed. It is true that railways played a vital role in the growth of modern industry. But, in terms of
employment, this growth was extremely limited. This is evidenced by the fact that the percentage of total
workforce employed in industry remained almost stationary before the Second World War. However, there
was an absolute increase in labor force.

SOURCE A:

There are few figures in history as controversial as Robert Clive. Some people described him as a
soldier of initiative, courage and determination. Other people saw him as reckless and unprincipled, a
rebel expelled from several schools for bad behavior. They said his victories at Arcot, Calcutta and
Plassey were all the result of lucky gambles that put his men in unnecessary danger. It was also said
that Clive used tactics that were sly and against the accepted codes of battle. Clive was also described
as cruel, lacking in morality and greedy for personal wealth.

Adapted from an article in a British newspaper published in June 1988

(a) According to Source A what were the personal characteristics of Robert Clive? [3]

Robert Clive is described as a soldier of initiative, courage and determination but some people saw
him as reckless and unprincipled, a rebel expelled from several schools for bad behavior. It is also said
that Clive used tactics that were sly and against the accepted codes of battle. Clive was also described
as cruel, lacking in morality and greedy for personal wealth which is proved by his time in India.

(b) What can we learn from Source B about the treatment of Indian hostages during the Mysore Wars? [5]

 This looks like a ceremony with well-dressed people who are stood in their places welcoming the
hostages, indicating respect to them and deference and care of them.

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  The painting shows Lord Cornwallis receiving Tipu Sultan’s sons as hostages to ensure that Tipu
Sultan pays according to the terms of the Treaty.
 This painting is intended to portray Cornwallis as gentle/humane/ benevolent by the way he is
treating the hostages so it could be used as propaganda. We do not know if all hostages were treated
with such respect, nor whether this scene shows exactly what took place. Presumably the young
princes would have been frightened.

Q. Explain why the East India Company was interested in the subcontinent in the years before 1750. [7]

 There were many reasons behind the arrival of EIC in Subcontinent. There was enormous wealth in
the subcontinent. Trade, profit and power were the real motives that East India Company (EIC) was
looking at. Indian goods including spices, silk, yarn, cloth, cotton and goods of metalworkers were
very demanding in the European markets. British factories needed raw materials while British
merchants needed big markets like India to sell their industrial products. Cotton was the main raw
material for the textile industries in Britain. EIC made huge profits and the company flourished very
rapidly. By 1620, the company operated about 40 ships for trade with India. The company was
having a very profitable future in trade with India. Indian soldiers at very cheap wages were
available to protect their trade and profits.
 East India Company had no political motives at first. It came to India primarily for trade. Lack of a
strong central government attracted the British attention for interfering with Indian political affairs.
By that time, they had already got the skills of dealing with Indian rulers and merchants. Now they
started thinking about establishing British Raj in the subcontinent.
 India had strategic position on the globe. It would give regional supremacy to the British and Royal
Navy. They would control the sea routes and hence trade with the East. The company also wanted to
westernize the Indians. The British believed that western culture is superior and must be spread in
the world. They thought themselves the most civilized nation of the world. 

Q. Explain why the Mughal Empire declined following the death of Aurangzeb. [7]

 There were many reasons behind the decline of Mughal Empire following the death of Aurangzeb,
and he is also blamed for sowing the seeds for decline of Empire. When Aurangzeb died, the empire
was the largest in India, however within about fifty years of his death, the Mughal Empire
disintegrated. The suspicious nature of Aurangzeb which did not allow both any of his sons or nobles
to grow to be capable. Aurangzeb failed to realize that the vast Mughal Empire depended on the
willing support of the people. He lost the support of the Rajputs who had contributed greatly to the
strength of the Empire. They had acted as pillars of support, but Aurangzeb’s policy turned them to
bitter foes. The wars with the Sikhs, the Marathas, the Jats and the Rajputs had drained the resources
of the Mughal Empire. His policies sapped the economic and army resources of the Empire and the
entire administration broke down.
 The lack of a law of succession meant there was sometimes a struggle for succession, costly in
human lives and other resources. Fighting battles was expensive and weakened the empire’s military,
which they depended on for defense. The absence of any definite law of succession was another
important factor. The war of successions not only led to bitterness, bloodshed, and loss of money and
prestige of the empire over a period of time, but to its eventual fall. Wars of succession were also an
important reason. Succession often depended upon the ability of the candidates to gain support, such
rulers may have been popular but they did not necessarily have the skills to run a large empire. After
the death of a ruler, the princess fought for the throne. This eroded the strength and led to the
instability of the Mughal Empire.

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  Foreign invasions sapped the remaining strength of the Mughals and hastened the process of
disintegration. The invasions of Nadir Shah and Ahmad Shah Abdali resulted in further drainage of
wealth. These invasions shook the very stability of the empire. It exposed to the world the military
weakness of the Mughal state. They also took their prestige and fame. The people lost all their faith
in the capacity of the Mughal rulers to protect them against foreign invaders. Along with these The
Mughal Empire had become too large to be controlled by any ruler from one centre i.e. Delhi. The
Great Mughals were efficient and exercised control over ministers and army, but the later Mughals
were poor administrators. As a result, the distant provinces became independent. The rise of
independent states led to the disintegration of the Mughal Empire.
(Q) According to Source A, why did many people die at Fort William in 1756? [3]

Fort William, Calcutta, 1756

On the evening of 20 June, some 64 prisoners including two women and several wounded soldiers were
marched at sword point to the filthy dungeon at Fort William. This was a little cell, measuring 18 feet by 14
feet 10 inches, designed for no more than three petty criminals. The heat at this time of year was suffocating.
Prisoners trampled on each other to get nearer one of the two tiny windows or to the small amount of water
they had been left. Their guards mocked them as the prisoners gasped for air and pleaded for mercy. At 6 am
the next morning, when the door was opened, dead bodies were piled up inside.
Ans:
In a little cell, measuring 18 feet by 14 feet 10 inches, designed for no more than three petty criminals 64
prisoners including two women and several wounded soldiers were marched at sword point to the filthy
dungeon at Fort William. Conditions in the cell were dirty in addition lack of water and air. Prisoners
trampled on each other to get nearer one of the two tiny windows. At 6 am the next morning, when the door
was opened, dead bodies were piled up inside.
(Q) What can we learn from Source B about famine in the subcontinent during British control? [5]

Famine in the subcontinent

Ans:
 Food was being given to a man who looks very weak suggesting that the famine has been going on
for a long time.
 The problem of hunger was widespread because many people of different ages, men, women and
children, were affected and were waiting for relief being given by British.
 Famine must have been a serious problem because relief has been organized.
 People are looking underfed / malnourished and are waiting for the distribution of food which is
being given out to these people in the source.
 The man in the bowler hat is an official observing / involved in or supervising the process, which
shows that the British were involved with the distribution of relief.

SOURCE A

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 During Aurangzeb’s reign he developed good relationships with foreign traders and made generous
donations to several Hindu temples. He introduced restrictions on personal behavior, for example he
banned outdoor singing and dancing and made a declaration on the length of beards. Aurangzeb also
increased taxes to pay for expensive wars and used large amounts of money to pay for luxurious
buildings. According to some historians a number of these policies contributed to the increasing
instability of the Mughal Empire by the time of Aurangzeb’s death.
An article on Aurangzeb adapted from History Today, 1984

Q. According to Source A, which policies do some historians claim contributed to the increasing
instability of the Mughal Empire by the time of Aurangzeb’s death? [3]
Ans;
 Aurangzeb introduced ‘restrictions on personal behavior’. He introduced restrictions on personal
behavior, for example he banned outdoor singing and dancing. He made a declaration on the length
of beards. He increased taxes to pay for expensive wars and used large amounts of money to pay for
luxurious buildings.
Q. What can we learn from Source B about Mughal rule in India? [5]

 Mughal rule was closely linked with Islam as the procession is passing through a large beautiful mosque,
where carts and people are present.
 The Mughal army was large and loyal to the Emperor there are soldiers on horseback escorting the Emperor
 There were attempts to attack the Mughal Empire from people from within and outside it
Q. Explain why the Hindu community objected to the Jizya tax.
 In 1546 A.D. Mughal Emperor Akbar had abolished Jizya tax to gain respect and support of the
Hindus, but Aurangzeb imposed this tax in 1679 A.D. Jizya was a tax imposed on non Muslims in
Subcontinent. The reason of this tax is that non Muslims were not sharing Muslims in defending
their lands against the invader. That is why it was imposed on the non Muslims who are subject to
participate in the military service but exempted. It is not imposed over women, children, old people,
or poor, permanently ill or incapable people.  In terms of application, each non-Muslim paid a 2.5%
per-head poll tax.
 The tax was a heavy-burden on the poor. For the middle and the upper classes, it was not so much
the economic burden but the humiliation and harassment resulting from it which offended them.
There was mass protest against the imposition of Jizya in Delhi in 1679, and opposition to the tax in
some form or other continued till almost the end of Aurangzeb’s reign (1707 A.D.). No sooner the
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order for levying Jizya on the Hindus was promulgated, Shivaji wrote a spirited letter to Aurangzeb
protesting against the imposition of this hated tax.

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