PAK522 Midterm Short Notes by DoHee

Lecture 2 · Decline of Muslim Rule in the Subcontinent and · War of Independence

Why Did Mughal Emperors Become Weak?

In 1707, Aurangzeb died. After him, the emperors who came were weak. There were fights and conspiracies in their courts. The Jagir system became corrupted. Loyalty in the army ended. Big provinces like Bengal, Awadh, and Hyderabad became independent.

Other Powers and Foreign Attacks

When Mughals became weak, other powers rose – Marathas, Sikhs, Jats, Rajputs. From outside, Nadir Shah looted Delhi. Ahmad Shah Abdali also attacked many times. The Mughal Empire started to break apart.

Rise of the British

The British were first traders, then they wanted power. In the battles of Plassey and Buxar, the British took control of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa. The British also won the Anglo-Mysore and Anglo-Maratha wars. British policies destroyed the wealthy Muslim class.

1857 War – Why Did the Soldiers Become Angry?

A new gun named Enfield came. Its cartridges (bullets) had cow and pig fat. Soldiers had to bite the cartridges open with their mouths. For Hindu soldiers, cow is sacred. For Muslim soldiers, pig is unclean. Soldiers felt that the British wanted to destroy their religion. In this anger, the soldiers revolted.

1857 – More Reasons

Political (government reasons) The British had a law – if a king had no son, they would take over his state. This way, they took Jhansi, Satara, Nagpur, and Awadh.

Economic (money reasons) There was too much tax on land. Local cloth mills closed down. Soldiers' pensions and jobs became bad.

Social (lifestyle reasons)

People felt the British were destroying their culture. They banned Sati (widow burning). They made widow remarriage legal. They opened English schools. All this upset the people.

Religious (faith reasons)

Christian missionaries opened schools. Muslim leaders declared Jihad.

How Did the War Happen and What Was the Result?

10 May 1857 – The war started from Meerut. Soldiers went to Delhi. They made Bahadur Shah Zafar their leader. In Kanpur – Nana Sahib. In Jhansi – Rani Lakshmibai. In Awadh – Begum Hazrat Mahal. Hindus and Muslims, rich and poor all stood together.

But...

The British had more army and better planning. Some Indian kings (Sikhs, Hyderabad, Mysore, Kashmir) were on the British side. By mid-1858, the British ended the war. They recaptured Delhi. Rani Lakshmibai was killed in battle. Bahadur Shah Zafar was exiled (sent away from the country).

What Happened After 1857?

The East India Company ended. The British Crown took direct control – this is called British Raj. The British targeted Muslims more. Muslims' properties were taken away. They were removed from the army and government jobs.

Problems Muslims Faced After 1857

1. Identity problem – From being rulers, they became slaves. Their heart was broken.
2. Education problem – They did not go to English schools, so they lost jobs.
3. Money problem – Their properties were taken, industry destroyed.
4. Fear of religion – Fear of Christian missionaries.
5. Disunity – They did not stay united (some rejected everything Western, others accepted modernity).