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Rise of Independent Kingdoms

As the Mughal imperial authority weakened, the nobles found themselves virtually independent as a collective group and thereby began to rule over their kingdoms. The regional kingdoms that arose in the 18th century were led by powerful rulers like Alivardi Khan, Balaji Viswanath and Saadat Khan Burhan-ul-Mulk.

Hyderabad

Founder: Nizam-ul-Mulk AsafJah (Mansabdar under Mughal Emperor Farulch Siyar).

Important Rulers

• Nizam-ul-Mulk: He was founder of Hyderabad as a State. He signed Treaty of Bhopal in 1738 with the Peshwa to act as an arbitrator at the Battle of Karnal (between Mughal King Muhammad Shah and Nadir Shah) in AD 1739.
• Nash Jung: He was executed by the Muzzaffar Jung who was the Sister’s son.
• Muzzafar Jung: He set up to the throne with the help of French, but his rule came to an end with his accidental death.
• Nizam of Hyderabad were great follower of art, culture and literature.
• They built Salajung Museum in Hyderabad and Chowan mahal palace was also build

Awadi

Founder: Burhan-ul-Mulk Saadat Khan

Important Rulers

• Safdar Jung: He Became wazir under the Mughal Empire in 1748 under Ahmad Shah Bahadur and came to be known as `Nawab Wazir’.
• Shuja-ud-Daula: The Treaty of Benaras with Warren Hastings (1773); He also tried to consolidate Awadh on the basis of autonomous political system; He provided shelter to the fugitive Mughal emperor Shah Alam II; He formed an alliance with the Nawab of Bengal and the Mughal emperor to fight ‘the Battle of Baxur’ against the British on 1764 They were defeated, signed Treaty of Allahabad (1765) by which — gave Allahbad and Kora to the Mughal emperor Shah Alam IT—paid Rs. 50 lakhs as war indeminity
  • Last Ruler of Awadh State was Wajid Ali shah

   

• Bengal

  Founder: Mursid Quli Khan

  Important Rulers

  • Mursid Quli Khan: He founded the separate state of Bengal and transferred the capital from Dacca to Murshidabad. He also suppressed the revolts of local zamindars such as Udai Narayan, Sita Ram Rai, Sujat Khan and other.
  • Aliwardi Khan: He concluded the treaty with Marathas and paid them Chauth. He also checked the growing influence of European powers (British and French).
  • Siraj-ud-Daula: He was responsible for the black hole tragedy (killing 23/146 British soldiers in 1757); Fought battle of Plassey against British (under Colonel Clive) and lost due to insider conspiracy by Mir Jafar (his Mir Bakshi), Manikchand (Officer-in-charge of Calcutta), Omichand (A rich merchant of Calcutta), and Jagat Seth (A famous Banker of Bengal); he signed the treaty of Alinagar with British.
  • Mir Jafar: Granted the right to free trade to British in Bengal

  Orissa and Bihar. He was forced to abdicate because
  of direct confrontation with East India Company because
  of company’s relentless drive for more revenues in Bengal.

  • Mir Qasim: Granted Zamindari of Burdwan, Midnapore

  and Chittagong to the British and transferred capital from Murshidabad to Manghyr in1762; He abolished all duties to allow Indian traders to compete; Fought the ‘battle of Buxar ‘ in 1764 with British (under Hector Munro) and in alliance with Shah Alam II (Mughal emperor) and Shuja-ud-Daula (Awadh emperor),

  • Mansur Ali Khan: He was the last ruler of the state of Bengal.

      Mysore

    Founder: Hyder Ali

    Important Rulers

  Hyder Ali: He Founded the independent state of Mysore with capital Seringapatnam; organized army with the help of French; Fought first and second Anglo-Mysore war in 1767 and 1781 respectively; He was defeated by the Peshwa in 1764, 1766 and 1771 but after Peshwa’s death (1772) he recovered his territories.

  Tipu Sultan: Introduced new system of coinage, new scales of weight and a new calendar; send ambassadors to foreign countries for trade; organised infantry on European lines and attempted to build a modem navy; showed interest in French Revolution-planted the Tree of Liberty at Seringa patnam and became a member of the Jacobian club; called Sher-E-Mysore; fought 2″d, 3rd, and 4th Anglo-Mysore war