Modern History Set 41 | MROY Class

Modern History Set 41 Questions & Answers

During the 18th century, India imported pearls, raw silk, dates, dried fruits, and rose water primarily from which region? – The Persian Gulf Region
Which of the following sets of items was imported into India from Arabia during the 18th century? – Coffee, gold, drugs, and honey
In 18th-century India, which items were primarily imported from Tibet? – Gold, musk, and woollen cloth
The Muslim Kunjali Maraikkars, who were well known for their seafaring ability, were utilized for the navy of which Indian ruler? – The Zamorin of Calicut
In 18th-century India, which language was the court language and thus learned by both Muslims and Hindus in institutions of higher learning? – Persian
Within the Muslim society of 18th-century India, the term ‘ajlaf’ was used to refer to which group of people? – Lower-class Muslims
According to the text, what was the status of the offspring of marriages that took place among slaves in India? – They were considered free citizens.
During the colonial era, Abyssinian slaves were brought to India by European trading companies and sold at Madras, Calcutta, and which other major market? – Surat
Which historian stated that “The roots of the disintegration of the Mughal empire may be found in the Medieval Indian economy…” in his work Parties and Politics at the Mughal Court, 1707-40? – Satish Chandra
Historian Satish Chandra argued that the growing financial crisis of the Mughal Empire took the form of a crisis in which specific system? – Jagirdari system
Which historian wrote that Aurangzeb struck a mortal blow to the empire by reimposing the jizya, thereby turning the Rajputs into “deadly and persistent enemies”? – Sidney Owen
Murshid Kuli Khan, the founder of the independent state of Bengal, was a capable ruler who ruled until his death in which year? – 1727
Alivardi Khan, who assumed power in Bengal in 1740 by killing Sarfaraz Khan, previously held which position? – Deputy Governor of Bihar
Prior to the Battle of Plassey, Siraj-ud-Daulah felt insecure and divested which hostile, childless widowed aunt of her treasures? – Ghasiti Begum
The French East India Company established its first factory in Surat in 1667 under an expedition headed by whom? – Francois Caron
The Dutch established a factory on the eastern coast at Karaikal in which year? – 1645
Sir Thomas Roe, the ambassador of King James I, secured permission from Jahangir to set up English factories at Agra, Broach, and which other city? – Ahmedabad
Following the rejection of the Treaty of Wadgaon (1779), Warren Hastings sent a large force under Colonel Goddard. Goddard captured which city in February 1780? – Ahmedabad
During the First Anglo-Maratha War, the English forces under General Camac finally defeated Mahadji Sindhia in February 1781 at which location? – Sipri
Under the Treaty of Salbai (1782), which Maratha leader was to remain in possession of his territory in Gujarat and serve the Peshwa as before? – Fateh Singh Gaekwad
During the Third Anglo-Maratha War, who was the favorite mistress of the late Jaswantrao Holkar who took the helm of affairs in Poona? – Tulsi Bai
In 1758, an English factory was built at Thatta in Sindh due to a parwana (order) given by which Kallora prince? – Ghulam Shah
The Talpuras, who established a complete hold over Sindh in 1783, originally descended from the hills and settled in the plains of Sindh during which decade? – 1770s
In 1832, William Bentinck sent Colonel Pottinger to Sindh to sign a treaty. This treaty allowed free passage to English traders but explicitly prohibited what from plying on the Indus? – Warships and materials for war
After the murder of the last Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh, who assumed leadership of the Sikhs in 1708 and revolted against the Mughals? – Banda Bahadur
In 1784, Kapur Singh Faizullapuria organized the Sikhs into the Dal Khalsa, forming two sections. What was the army of the veterans called? – Budha Dal
Maharaja Ranjit Singh was appointed as the governor of Lahore in 1799 by which ruler of Afghanistan? – Zaman Shah
During the First Anglo-Sikh War, the Sikhs suffered a successive defeat at Aliwal. On what date did the Battle of Aliwal take place? – January 28, 1846
The first Indian state to sign a treaty anticipating the Subsidiary Alliance system, pledging to defray the expenses of British border defense, was Awadh. In what year did this occur? – 1765
Damodar Singh and Jagannath Dhal were important leaders in which civil uprising that took place between 1766 and 1774? – Revolt in Midnapore and Dhalbhum

MROY Class

Modern History Set 41

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📌 Trade • Imports

Q.1) During the 18th century, India imported pearls, raw silk, dates, dried fruits, and rose water primarily from which region?

Ans > The Persian Gulf Region

Trade Context in 18th Century: India was a major exporter of textiles and spices, but it had a high demand for specific luxury goods that it could not produce domestically. The Persian Gulf region served as a vital maritime trade hub connecting the Indian subcontinent with Middle Eastern and Mediterranean markets.
Pearls and Luxury Items: Pearls from Bahrain and the Persian Gulf were highly prized by Indian royalty and elites for making exquisite jewelry and adorning royal garments. The pearl diving industry in the Gulf was closely tied to Indian merchants who financed these expeditions and imported the finest specimens to regional courts like Awadh and Hyderabad.
Culinary and Textile Inputs: Raw silk was essential for India’s thriving textile industry, particularly for weaving intricate brocades and luxurious garments in centers like Varanasi and Murshidabad. Dates, dried fruits (like almonds and pistachios), and rose water were imported in large quantities to cater to the culinary and cultural preferences of the Mughal nobility and the emerging regional aristocracies, playing a central role in Awadhi and Hyderabadi cuisines.

📌 Trade • Arabia

Q.2) Which of the following sets of items was imported into India from Arabia during the 18th century?

Ans > Coffee, gold, drugs, and honey

Coffee Monopolies: The Arabian Peninsula, particularly ports like Mocha in Yemen, was the primary global source of coffee during the 17th and 18th centuries. The demand for coffee in India grew significantly, especially among the Muslim nobility and Sufi communities who consumed it as a stimulant during long nights of prayer and administrative work, making Arabia an indispensable trading partner.
Gold and Bullion Influx: In exchange for massive quantities of Indian cotton textiles, spices, and indigo, Arabian merchants frequently paid in precious metals. Gold bullion flowed heavily from Arabia into Indian ports like Surat and Calicut, contributing significantly to the monetization of the Indian economy and the minting of regional currencies during the declining phase of the Mughal Empire.
Medicines and Exotics: Various medicinal drugs and high-quality honey were also major import items. The Unani system of medicine, widely practiced in Mughal and regional Indian courts, relied heavily on specific herbs, resins (like frankincense and myrrh), and medicinal compounds that were native to the arid regions of Arabia and the Horn of Africa, shipped via Omani and Yemeni dhows.

📌 Trade • Tibet

Q.3) In 18th-century India, which items were primarily imported from Tibet?

Ans > Gold, musk, and woollen cloth

Trans-Himalayan Gold Trade: The trans-Himalayan trade routes connecting India (primarily Bengal and Bihar) with Tibet were highly lucrative but treacherous. Tibet served as a crucial source of gold dust, which was either mined locally in the Tibetan plateau or acquired through trade with China. This gold was in high demand for minting coins and crafting jewelry in the Indian plains.
Musk and Perfumery: Musk, a highly aromatic substance extracted from a gland of the male musk deer native to the Himalayas, was a premium commodity imported from Tibet. It was extensively used in the production of high-end perfumes (attars) and was a critical ingredient in traditional Ayurvedic and Unani medicinal formulations, highly sought after by wealthy patrons across India.
Textile Exchanges: Tibet also supplied thick, high-quality woollen cloth and raw wool, which were essential for weaving shawls and warm garments in northern India and Kashmir. In exchange for these valuable commodities, Indian merchants exported Bengal cotton textiles, sugar, spices, and hardware to Tibet, maintaining a robust balance of trade despite the challenging mountainous terrain.

📌 Naval History • Kunjali Maraikkars

Q.4) The Muslim Kunjali Maraikkars, who were well known for their seafaring ability, were utilized for the navy of which Indian ruler?

Ans > The Zamorin of Calicut

Resistance Against the Portuguese: The Kunjali Maraikkars were a legendary lineage of Muslim naval admirals who commanded the naval forces of the Zamorin (Samoothiri), the Hindu ruler of Calicut in Kerala. Their rise to prominence was fueled by the aggressive arrival of the Portuguese in 1498, who sought to violently monopolize the Indian Ocean spice trade and bypass traditional Arab and Indian merchants.
Guerrilla Naval Tactics: Utilizing highly maneuverable, small vessels called ‘paroes’, the Kunjalis engaged in highly effective guerrilla naval warfare against the massive, heavily armed Portuguese galleons. They leveraged their intimate knowledge of the Malabar coast’s estuaries, shallow waters, and hidden coves to launch devastating hit-and-run attacks, significantly disrupting Portuguese shipping and maintaining Calicut’s maritime independence for nearly a century.
Legacy and Tragic End: The legacy of the Kunjali Maraikkars is a prime example of Hindu-Muslim cooperation against European colonial encroachment in early modern India. However, their growing power and wealth eventually led to fatal friction with the Zamorin himself. A tragic alliance between a later Zamorin and the Portuguese ultimately led to the capture and execution of the last Kunjali Maraikkar, Kunjali IV, marking the end of their formidable naval resistance.

📌 Culture • Language

Q.5) In 18th-century India, which language was the court language and thus learned by both Muslims and Hindus in institutions of higher learning?

Ans > Persian

The Lingua Franca of Administration: Persian was firmly established as the primary language of administration, law, diplomacy, and high culture during the Mughal era, and this legacy continued strongly into the 18th century. Even as regional powers like the Marathas, Sikhs, and various Rajput states asserted their independence, Persian remained the lingua franca of inter-state correspondence and record-keeping across the subcontinent.
Cross-Cultural Adoption: The widespread use of Persian meant that it was heavily studied by both Muslim and Hindu elites. Members of the Kayastha and Khatri communities, who traditionally served as administrators, clerks, and revenue officials, became highly proficient in Persian. This cross-cultural linguistic adoption created a shared administrative culture and a vast body of secular literature, poetry, and historical chronicles written by Hindu scholars in Persian.
Eventual Replacement by English: It wasn’t until the 1830s that the British East India Company officially replaced Persian with English in higher courts and vernacular languages (like Urdu, Bengali, and Marathi) in lower administrative levels. Until that shift, mastering Persian was an absolute prerequisite for anyone seeking employment in the state bureaucracy, judicial systems, or diplomatic corps of 18th-century Indian states.

📌 Society • Social Hierarchy

Q.6) Within the Muslim society of 18th-century India, the term ‘ajlaf’ was used to refer to which group of people?

Ans > Lower-class Muslims

Ashraf vs. Ajlaf Stratification: In the sociological structure of 18th-century Indian Muslim society, there was a distinct, albeit not rigidly codified, stratification. The ‘Ashraf’ (plural of sharaf, meaning noble) claimed foreign descent from Arabs, Persians, Afghans, or Central Asians, and held the highest social, administrative, and military positions. In stark contrast, the ‘Ajlaf’ (meaning ‘ignoble’ or ‘lowly’) constituted the vast majority of the Muslim population.
Demographics of the Ajlaf: The Ajlaf group was primarily composed of indigenous converts to Islam, representing the working classes, artisans, peasants, weavers (Julahas), and petty traders. Unlike the Ashraf elite who patronized Persian literature and courtly culture, the Ajlaf were deeply integrated into the local vernacular cultures, speaking regional languages and heavily participating in syncretic cultural practices and localized Sufi traditions.
Socio-Economic Implications: This social division had profound economic and political implications. The Ajlaf were largely excluded from the upper echelons of the Mughal mansabdari system and the elite religious scholarship circles. The distinction was primarily based on lineage and occupation rather than religious doctrine, reflecting the complex adaptation of Islamic societal norms within the heavily stratified caste environment of the Indian subcontinent.

📌 Society • Slavery

Q.7) According to the text, what was the status of the offspring of marriages that took place among slaves in India?

Ans > They were considered free citizens.

Nature of Indian Slavery: Slavery in pre-colonial and early colonial India was fundamentally different from the industrialized, race-based chattel slavery practiced in the Americas. In India, slavery was largely domestic, agricultural, or military, and slaves (often acquired through debt, famine, or warfare) retained certain customary rights. The condition of slavery was not universally hereditary in perpetuity.
Legal Status of Children: A crucial distinction was the legal and social status of the children born to slaves. According to various local customs and Islamic legal traditions (which heavily influenced 18th-century jurisprudence), if a master acknowledged a child born to a slave woman, that child was legally free and could even inherit property. Even in marriages strictly between slaves, the offspring were often integrated into the general population as free citizens or subjects rather than inherited property.
Social Mobility and Eventual Abolition: This social mobility meant that slave populations in India did not form massive, permanently disenfranchised racial underclasses. Many military slaves (like the Habshis or Africans) could rise to prominent positions as generals or even rulers. The eventual abolition of slavery by the British in 1843 (Act V) formalized the end of these practices, though domestic servitude often continued under different guises.

📌 Trade • Slave Trade

Q.8) During the colonial era, Abyssinian slaves were brought to India by European trading companies and sold at Madras, Calcutta, and which other major market?

Ans > Surat

Surat as a Global Hub: Surat, located on the coast of Gujarat, was one of the wealthiest and most cosmopolitan port cities in the Indian Ocean world during the 17th and 18th centuries. It served as the primary embarkation point for Hajj pilgrims and a massive hub for global trade. Consequently, it also became a major market for the lucrative Indian Ocean slave trade, facilitated by Arab, Indian, and European merchants.
The Role of Abyssinian Slaves: Abyssinian slaves, originating from the Horn of Africa (modern-day Ethiopia and Eritrea) and commonly referred to as Habshis or Sidis in India, were highly prized. They were renowned for their physical endurance, maritime skills, and martial prowess. Wealthy merchants, regional Nawabs, and even European trading companies purchased them to serve as elite bodyguards, naval commanders, and trusted domestic retainers.
European Involvement and Sidi States: The European East India Companies (including the English, Dutch, and Portuguese) were actively involved in transporting these African slaves to major colonial strongholds like Madras, Calcutta, and Surat to build fortifications and serve in colonial militias. Over time, the Sidi communities established their own autonomous political identities in India, most notably the Sidi state of Janjira on the Konkan coast, which possessed a formidable naval fleet.

📌 Historiography • Mughal Decline

Q.9) Which historian stated that ‘The roots of the disintegration of the Mughal empire may be found in the Medieval Indian economy…’ in his work Parties and Politics at the Mughal Court, 1707-40?

Ans > Satish Chandra

A Shift in Historical Perspective: Professor Satish Chandra, a doyen of medieval Indian history, fundamentally shifted the historiographical debate surrounding the decline of the Mughal Empire. Moving away from earlier colonial and communal narratives that blamed Aurangzeb’s religious bigotry or weak successors, Chandra focused heavily on the structural, socio-economic weaknesses inherent in the Mughal administrative apparatus.
The Seminal Work and Theory: In his seminal work, “Parties and Politics at the Mughal Court, 1707-1740,” Chandra meticulously argued that the empire’s collapse was rooted in a deep-seated medieval economic crisis. He proposed the ‘Jagirdari Crisis’ theory, asserting that the empire expanded its territory too rapidly, specifically into the Deccan, without a proportional increase in agricultural surplus or profitable revenue-yielding lands (jagirs).
Consequences of Economic Failure: This chronic shortage of productive jagirs led to intense, cut-throat competition among the nobility (mansabdars). To extract maximum revenue from their assigned lands, these nobles heavily oppressed the peasantry, sparking widespread agrarian revolts (such as those by the Jats and Sikhs). The resulting political instability, factionalism at the court, and the alienation of local zamindars fatally undermined the central authority, paving the way for regional state formations.

📌 Administration • Mughal Economy

Q.10) Historian Satish Chandra argued that the growing financial crisis of the Mughal Empire took the form of a crisis in which specific system?

Ans > Jagirdari system

The Backbone of Mughal Administration: The Jagirdari system was the absolute backbone of the Mughal Empire’s military and administrative structure. Instead of paying salaries in cash, the emperor assigned ‘jagirs’ (the right to collect land revenue from a specific territory) to his nobles or military commanders (‘mansabdars’). In return, the mansabdar was required to maintain a specified quota of cavalry and troops for the emperor’s service.
The Root of the Crisis: Historian Satish Chandra identified a terminal crisis within this system during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. As the empire expanded under Aurangzeb, the number of nobles drastically increased, but the amount of highly profitable agricultural land (paibaqi) available for assignment severely contracted. The ‘jama’ (estimated revenue) of the jagirs vastly exceeded the ‘hasil’ (actual collected revenue), leading to widespread financial distress among the nobility.
Military and Agrarian Collapse: To compensate for this financial shortfall, jagirdars began aggressively extracting exorbitant taxes from the peasantry, completely disregarding customary rights and ignoring long-term agricultural investments. This ruthless exploitation triggered massive peasant migrations and violent armed uprisings led by local zamindars. Furthermore, impoverished nobles refused to maintain their required military contingents, effectively paralyzing the mighty Mughal army and leading to the empire’s rapid disintegration.

📌 Historiography • Aurangzeb

Q.11) Which historian wrote that Aurangzeb struck a mortal blow to the empire by reimposing the jizya, thereby turning the Rajputs into ‘deadly and persistent enemies’?

Ans > Sidney Owen

Reversal of Tolerant Policies: British historian Sidney Owen critically analyzed the political miscalculations of Emperor Aurangzeb, particularly regarding his reversal of the inclusive policies established by his great-grandfather, Akbar. Akbar had officially abolished the ‘jizya’—a poll tax levied on non-Muslim subjects—in 1564, which was a masterstroke in winning the enduring loyalty of the powerful Rajput martial clans and integrating them into the Mughal nobility.
The Reimposition of Jizya: In 1679, driven by orthodox religious policies and the urgent need to raise revenue for his massive, exhaustive military campaigns in the Deccan, Aurangzeb officially reimposed the jizya tax. Owen argued that this single act was a catastrophic political blunder. It completely shattered the foundation of trust and alliance between the Mughal crown and the Rajputs, effectively alienating the empire’s most steadfast military supporters.
The Rajput Rebellion: The reimposition of the jizya was perceived not just as a financial burden, but as a deep cultural and religious humiliation. It provoked immediate rebellion from major Rajput states, including Marwar (Jodhpur) and Mewar (Udaipur). According to Owen, this turned the Rajputs into “deadly and persistent enemies,” forcing Aurangzeb to fight grueling wars on multiple fronts and bleeding the empire of its resources and manpower.

📌 Regional States • Bengal

Q.12) Murshid Kuli Khan, the founder of the independent state of Bengal, was a capable ruler who ruled until his death in which year?

Ans > 1727

Rise to Power on Merit: Murshid Kuli Khan was the foundational architect of the independent Nawabi regime in Bengal. Originally a South Indian Brahmin who was sold into slavery and raised by a Persian merchant, he rose purely on merit to become a highly competent financial administrator. Emperor Aurangzeb appointed him as the Diwan (chief revenue officer) of Bengal in 1700 to overhaul the province’s failing revenue system.
Economic Revolution in Bengal: He completely revolutionized Bengal’s economy by introducing the ‘malzamini’ system, where he bypassed corrupt intermediate landlords and collected revenue directly through powerful, loyal zamindars and local bankers (like the famous Jagat Seths). He shifted the provincial capital from Dacca to a new city, which he named Murshidabad. His efficient administration made Bengal the wealthiest and most profitable province in the crumbling Mughal Empire.
De Facto Independence: By 1717, Emperor Farrukhsiyar officially elevated him to the position of Subahdar (Governor) of Bengal. While he continued to send nominal tribute to the Mughal Emperor in Delhi, he ruled as a virtually independent sovereign. His reign provided peace, economic prosperity, and cultural patronage until his natural death in 1727, establishing a powerful dynastic succession that lasted until the British conquest at Plassey in 1757.

📌 Regional States • Bengal

Q.13) Alivardi Khan, who assumed power in Bengal in 1740 by killing Sarfaraz Khan, previously held which position?

Ans > Deputy Governor of Bihar

A Career Built on Opportunity: Alivardi Khan’s ascent to the throne of Bengal was a classic example of 18th-century opportunistic realpolitik. Originally an adventurer of Turkic-Arab descent, he and his brother entered the service of Shuja-ud-Din (Murshid Kuli Khan’s son-in-law and successor). Recognizing Alivardi’s immense administrative and military capabilities, Shuja-ud-Din appointed him as the Deputy Governor (Naib Nazim) of the strategic province of Bihar in 1733.
Consolidating Power in Bihar: In Bihar, Alivardi Khan heavily consolidated his power base, subdued rebellious zamindars, and amassed significant wealth and military strength. When Shuja-ud-Din died, his son Sarfaraz Khan, a famously incompetent and arrogant ruler, ascended the throne in Murshidabad. Alivardi, sensing an opportunity and supported by the powerful banking house of the Jagat Seths, marched his battle-hardened troops from Bihar against his master.
The Usurpation of the Throne: In 1740, Alivardi Khan defeated and killed Sarfaraz Khan at the Battle of Giria, officially seizing the masnad (throne) of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa. He legitimized his usurpation by bribing the Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah with massive sums of money to secure a firman. His reign (1740-1756) was characterized by relentless, exhausting wars to defend Bengal from the devastating Maratha invasions (Bargi incursions).

📌 Regional States • Bengal

Q.14) Prior to the Battle of Plassey, Siraj-ud-Daulah felt insecure and divested which hostile, childless widowed aunt of her treasures?

Ans > Ghasiti Begum

Contested Succession and Paranoia: The succession of Siraj-ud-Daulah to the throne of Bengal in 1756 was highly contested and fraught with extreme paranoia. Siraj, the young and impetuous grandson of Alivardi Khan, faced massive internal opposition from within his own family. His most formidable adversary was his wealthy and highly influential aunt, Ghasiti Begum (Mehar-un-Nisa), the eldest daughter of Alivardi Khan.
Conspiracy from Motijheel: Ghasiti Begum, a childless widow who resided in a heavily fortified palace in Motijheel (near Murshidabad), actively conspired against Siraj. She strongly favored the succession of her adopted son, Shaukat Jung, the governor of Purnea. She used her immense amassed treasures to buy the loyalty of powerful courtiers and military commanders, posing a severe existential threat to Siraj’s newly acquired authority.
Preemptive Strike and Alienation: Immediately upon taking the throne, Siraj-ud-Daulah took preemptive action. He surrounded Motijheel with his loyal troops, arrested Ghasiti Begum, and completely divested her of her massive accumulated treasures, moving both the wealth and the captive aunt to his own palace. This aggressive consolidation of power alienated many veteran nobles (like Mir Jafar) and set the stage for the internal betrayal that culminated at the Battle of Plassey in 1757.

📌 European Powers • French East India Company

Q.15) The French East India Company established its first factory in Surat in 1667 under an expedition headed by whom?

Ans > Francois Caron

The Late French Entry: The French East India Company (Compagnie des Indes Orientales) was the last major European maritime power to enter the highly lucrative Indian Ocean trade. It was established relatively late, in 1664, under the direct patronage of King Louis XIV and his brilliant finance minister, Jean-Baptiste Colbert, who envisioned a state-backed mercantile empire to rival the British and the Dutch.
The Choice of Francois Caron: To establish their first physical foothold in India, the French dispatched an expedition headed by Francois Caron, a highly experienced merchant who had remarkably spent 30 years working for their bitter rivals, the Dutch East India Company (VOC). Caron’s deep, unparalleled knowledge of Asian trade networks, customs, and diplomacy made him the ideal candidate to spearhead the French colonial enterprise.
Establishing the Factory at Surat: In 1667, Francois Caron successfully negotiated with the local Mughal authorities and established the very first French ‘factory’ (a fortified trading post and warehouse) in Surat, the premier commercial hub of the Mughal Empire. This was closely followed by the establishment of another factory at Masulipatnam in 1669, laying the foundational groundwork for what would eventually become a formidable French territorial presence in India under later leaders like Dupleix.

📌 European Powers • Dutch East India Company

Q.16) The Dutch established a factory on the eastern coast at Karaikal in which year?

Ans > 1645

The Demand for Coromandel Textiles: The Dutch East India Company (VOC), established in 1602, aggressively pursued a monopoly over the highly profitable spice trade in the Indonesian archipelago. However, to buy these spices, they desperately needed Indian cotton textiles—specifically the brilliantly dyed and printed calicoes and chintzes produced on the Coromandel Coast—which served as the primary currency in Southeast Asian markets.
Expansion to Karaikal: Driven by this massive demand for textiles, the Dutch systematically expanded their presence along the eastern seaboard of India (the Coromandel Coast). They secured firmans from the rulers of the declining Vijayanagara Empire and the Sultanate of Golconda. In 1645, they successfully negotiated the establishment of a trading factory at Karaikal, a port town strategically located in the textile-rich Kaveri delta region.
Strategic and Economic Value: The factory at Karaikal allowed the Dutch to bypass intermediaries and procure high-quality textiles directly from local weaving communities at much cheaper rates. While their primary headquarters remained at Pulicat (and later Nagapatnam), outposts like Karaikal were crucial cogs in the VOC’s complex intra-Asian trade network. Ultimately, the Dutch lost Karaikal to the French in the 18th century as their colonial power in India waned.

📌 European Powers • English East India Company

Q.17) Sir Thomas Roe, the ambassador of King James I, secured permission from Jahangir to set up English factories at Agra, Broach, and which other city?

Ans > Ahmedabad

A Royal Embassy to the Mughals: Sir Thomas Roe was an English diplomat sent by King James I to the magnificent court of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir in 1615. Unlike earlier English merchants like William Hawkins, Roe arrived as a highly credentialed, official royal ambassador, which commanded significantly more respect from the sophisticated Mughal court, which viewed the early English traders merely as troublesome pirates.
Navigating Court Politics: Roe spent nearly four years (1615-1619) at the Mughal court, utilizing his diplomatic tact, offering expensive European gifts, and navigating complex court politics involving Prince Khurram (the future Shah Jahan) and Empress Nur Jahan. His primary mission was to secure an official imperial treaty (firman) granting the English East India Company exclusive trading rights and protection from Portuguese harassment.
Commercial Success and Expansion: While he failed to secure a formal, binding treaty between the two sovereigns, he achieved massive commercial success. Jahangir issued firmans that granted the English the explicit right to trade freely, pay a fixed customs duty, and establish permanent factories at Surat, Agra, Broach, and Ahmedabad. Ahmedabad, in particular, was vital due to its massive production of high-quality silk and indigo, crucial exports for the Company.

📌 Maratha Wars • First Anglo-Maratha War

Q.18) Following the rejection of the Treaty of Wadgaon (1779), Warren Hastings sent a large force under Colonel Goddard. Goddard captured which city in February 1780?

Ans > Ahmedabad

The Humiliation of Wadgaon: The First Anglo-Maratha War (1775-1782) began disastrously for the British when the Bombay government heavily backed the deposed Peshwa Raghunathrao and sent an army that was humiliated and decisively defeated by the Marathas. This led to the disgraceful Treaty of Wadgaon (1779), where the British agreed to relinquish all territories acquired since 1773 and surrender hostages to the Marathas.
Warren Hastings’ Retaliation: Governor-General Warren Hastings, operating from Calcutta, furiously rejected the humiliating terms of Wadgaon. To restore British military prestige and break the powerful Maratha confederacy, he dispatched a massive, highly disciplined Bengal army under the command of Colonel Thomas Goddard, undertaking an incredible overland march straight across the Indian subcontinent from Bengal to Gujarat.
The Capture of Ahmedabad: Goddard’s campaign in Gujarat was wildly successful. Forming a strategic alliance with the Gaekwad of Baroda against the Peshwa, Goddard rapidly advanced and aggressively stormed the heavily fortified city of Ahmedabad in February 1780. The capture of this wealthy commercial hub not only restored British military reputation but also secured a vital logistical base and bargaining chip that eventually forced the Marathas to the negotiating table at Salbai.

📌 Maratha Wars • First Anglo-Maratha War

Q.19) During the First Anglo-Maratha War, the English forces under General Camac finally defeated Mahadji Sindhia in February 1781 at which location?

Ans > Sipri

The Threat of Mahadji Sindhia: During the protracted First Anglo-Maratha War, Mahadji Sindhia emerged as the most formidable and militarily brilliant Maratha commander facing the British. Operating from his stronghold in Central India, Sindhia utilized modern, European-trained infantry and highly mobile cavalry to effectively counter British advances and protect the Maratha heartland from invasion.
The British Strategy in Central India: Governor-General Warren Hastings recognized that neutralizing Mahadji Sindhia was absolutely essential to winning the war. He dispatched a separate military detachment under the command of Major William Popham, who famously captured the ‘impregnable’ fortress of Gwalior in 1780. Following this, General Camac was sent with another force to aggressively pursue and decisively engage Sindhia’s main army in Central India.
The Decisive Victory at Sipri: After weeks of grueling maneuvers and skirmishes, General Camac finally managed to surprise Mahadji Sindhia’s camp at night near Sipri (Shivpuri) in February 1781. The British inflicted a severe, demoralizing defeat on Sindhia’s forces, capturing vital artillery and supplies. This specific defeat at Sipri shattered Sindhia’s aura of invincibility, compelling him to act as an intermediary and negotiate the Treaty of Salbai, which officially ended the First Anglo-Maratha War.

📌 Maratha Wars • Treaties

Q.20) Under the Treaty of Salbai (1782), which Maratha leader was to remain in possession of his territory in Gujarat and serve the Peshwa as before?

Ans > Fateh Singh Gaekwad

The Peace Settlement of Salbai: The Treaty of Salbai, signed in May 1782 and ratified later that year, was the definitive peace settlement that concluded the grueling, indecisive First Anglo-Maratha War. Engineered largely through the mediation of Mahadji Sindhia, the treaty established a critical status quo that guaranteed peace between the British East India Company and the Maratha Empire for the next twenty years.
Mutual Restitution and Status Quo: The treaty mandated the mutual restitution of conquered territories. The British recognized Madhavrao II as the legitimate Peshwa and officially abandoned their support for the ambitious pretender, Raghunathrao, granting him only a pension. In return, the Marathas guaranteed that they would not ally with the French or allow them to establish settlements in their vast territories.
The Position of the Gaekwads: A crucial clause of the treaty pertained to the Gaekwads of Baroda, who had allied with the British during the conflict. The treaty explicitly stipulated that Fateh Singh Gaekwad was to remain in full possession of his expansive territories in Gujarat exactly as they were before the war. However, he was compelled to acknowledge the overlordship of the Peshwa in Poona and continue paying the traditional tribute, effectively restoring the pre-war balance of power.

📌 Maratha Wars • Third Anglo-Maratha War

Q.21) During the Third Anglo-Maratha War, who was the favorite mistress of the late Jaswantrao Holkar who took the helm of affairs in Poona?

Ans > Tulsi Bai

Power Vacuum in Indore: The Holkar state of Indore descended into massive political chaos and factional warfare following the death of its formidable ruler, Jaswantrao Holkar, in 1811. He left behind an underage heir, Malharrao Holkar II. The massive power vacuum was immediately filled by Jaswantrao’s favorite mistress, the highly ambitious and politically astute Tulsi Bai, who assumed the role of regent.
Internal Mutinies and British Overtures: Tulsi Bai took the helm of affairs during an incredibly volatile period. She faced constant, violent mutinies from her own unpaid, restless mercenary armies (including Pathans and Pindaris) and severe factional opposition from conservative Maratha nobles who resented being ruled by a concubine. To survive, she heavily relied on the military support of her trusted commander, Ghafur Khan, and began secret negotiations with the British for protection.
Tragic Assassination before War: As the Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817-1818) loomed, the anti-British military faction within the Holkar camp discovered Tulsi Bai’s secret overtures to the British East India Company. Viewing her as a traitor willing to sell out Holkar independence for a subsidiary alliance, the military chiefs mutinied. In December 1817, just days before the decisive Battle of Mahidpur, they seized Tulsi Bai, beheaded her on the banks of the Sipra River, and marched to war against the British.

📌 Regional States • Sindh

Q.22) In 1758, an English factory was built at Thatta in Sindh due to a parwana (order) given by which Kallora prince?

Ans > Ghulam Shah

The Importance of Sindh: The Kallora dynasty ruled the strategic region of Sindh (in modern-day Pakistan) during the 18th century, maintaining a precarious independence while paying nominal tribute to the devastating Afghan conqueror Ahmad Shah Durrani. Sindh was highly valued for its massive production of saltpetre (essential for making gunpowder) and its thriving textile industry, drawing the attention of European merchants.
English Expansion and the Parwana: The English East India Company, eager to tap into this lucrative trade and secure a monopoly on saltpetre, sought permission to establish a commercial presence in Sindh. In 1758, they successfully negotiated with the powerful Kallora prince, Ghulam Shah, who was seeking to boost his state’s revenue through international trade.
Establishment and Abandonment of Thatta: Ghulam Shah issued a highly favorable ‘parwana’ (an official royal decree or order) granting the English explicit permission to build a factory at the ancient, prosperous river port of Thatta on the Indus. The decree also granted the Company significant customs exemptions. However, the commercial relationship was short-lived; due to local hostility, chaotic internal politics, and poor profits, the English were forced to completely abandon their Thatta factory by 1775.

📌 Regional States • Sindh

Q.23) The Talpuras, who established a complete hold over Sindh in 1783, originally descended from the hills and settled in the plains of Sindh during which decade?

Ans > 1770s

Migration from Balochistan: The Talpuras were a fiercely independent, martial Baloch tribe hailing from the rugged, mountainous regions of Balochistan. Driven by tribal conflicts, economic hardship, and the search for better grazing lands, large numbers of Talpuras began migrating eastward and slowly settling in the fertile, agriculturally rich plains of Sindh during the 1770s.
Service and Rebellion under the Kalloras: Initially, the Talpuras served as elite mercenary soldiers and powerful military commanders under the ruling Kallora dynasty. However, the later Kallora rulers proved to be highly tyrannical and incompetent, alienating their subjects and sparking widespread rebellion. The assassination of a prominent Talpura chief by the Kallora ruler triggered a massive, bloody civil war in the region.
The Conquest of Sindh: Leveraging their superior military prowess and capitalizing on the widespread hatred for the Kalloras, the Talpuras, led by Mir Fath Ali Khan, decisively defeated the Kallora forces at the Battle of Halani. By 1783, they established a complete, undisputed hold over Sindh. They divided the conquered territory among different branches of the Talpura family (the Amirs of Sindh), ruling as a confederacy until the unprovoked British annexation of Sindh by Charles Napier in 1843.

📌 British Expansion • Sindh

Q.24) In 1832, William Bentinck sent Colonel Pottinger to Sindh to sign a treaty. This treaty allowed free passage to English traders but explicitly prohibited what from plying on the Indus?

Ans > Warships and materials for war

Russophobia and the Indus Route: During the early 1830s, the British East India Company, driven by profound Russophobia (the fear of a Russian invasion of India via Afghanistan), became intensely interested in controlling the Indus River. They viewed the Indus as a vital commercial artery for Central Asian trade and a crucial strategic barrier. Governor-General William Bentinck initiated aggressive diplomatic efforts to open the river.
Coercive Diplomacy with the Amirs: In 1832, Bentinck dispatched Colonel Henry Pottinger to negotiate a highly coercive commercial treaty with the Amirs (rulers) of Sindh. The Amirs were deeply suspicious of British intentions, famously viewing the arrival of English surveyors on the river as the precursor to military conquest. However, under intense diplomatic pressure, they were forced to sign the treaty.
The Crucial Prohibition Clause: The 1832 treaty officially opened the Indus River and the roads of Sindh to English merchants and foreign traders, drastically altering the region’s economy. However, to somewhat pacify the Amirs’ severe security concerns, the British explicitly agreed to a crucial clause: the absolute prohibition of transporting armed warships, military troops, or any materials for war along the Indus. The British blatantly violated this exact clause just seven years later during the First Anglo-Afghan War.

📌 Regional States • Sikhs

Q.25) After the murder of the last Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh, who assumed leadership of the Sikhs in 1708 and revolted against the Mughals?

Ans > Banda Bahadur

The Succession Crisis and Retribution: The assassination of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth and final human Guru of the Sikhs, in 1708 triggered a massive, existential crisis and a fierce desire for vengeance within the Sikh community. Before his death, the Guru passed the spiritual leadership to the holy scripture (Guru Granth Sahib) and the temporal leadership to a trusted, martial disciple named Banda Singh Bahadur, formerly an ascetic.
Mobilizing the Agrarian Rebellion: Armed with the Guru’s hukamnamas (letters of authority), Banda Bahadur traveled to Punjab and rapidly mobilized an massive, highly motivated army of Sikh peasants, lower castes, and oppressed agrarian classes. He brilliantly tapped into the deep-seated, widespread agrarian discontent against the highly exploitative and corrupt Mughal jagirdari system, transforming a religious movement into a massive, popular agrarian revolt.
Establishment of the First Sikh State: Banda Bahadur achieved stunning military successes, completely capturing the province of Sirhind and brutally executing its Mughal governor, Wazir Khan, who was responsible for the murder of Guru Gobind Singh’s young sons. He established the first sovereign Sikh state, minted coins in the name of the Gurus, and officially abolished the oppressive zamindari system. His fierce rebellion severely shook the foundations of the Mughal Empire until his eventual capture and horrific execution in Delhi in 1716.

📌 Regional States • Sikhs

Q.26) In 1784, Kapur Singh Faizullapuria organized the Sikhs into the Dal Khalsa, forming two sections. What was the army of the veterans called?

Ans > Budha Dal

Survival through Guerrilla Tactics: Following the horrific execution of Banda Bahadur, the Sikhs faced decades of severe persecution and near-annihilation at the hands of the Mughal governors of Lahore and, later, the invading Afghan armies of Ahmad Shah Durrani. To survive this brutal suppression, the Sikhs organized themselves into highly mobile, guerrilla warfare bands known as ‘jathas’.
Formation of the Dal Khalsa: Recognizing the urgent need for a unified military structure to coordinate their resistance, the legendary Sikh leader Kapur Singh Faizullapuria (Nawab Kapur Singh) undertook a massive reorganization of the Sikh forces in 1784 (some sources say 1733/34 for the initial split). He amalgamated the scattered jathas into a single, formidable, centralized army called the Dal Khalsa, which operated on democratic principles.
The Division of Labor (Taruna and Budha Dal): To maximize operational efficiency, Nawab Kapur Singh divided the Dal Khalsa into two distinct sections based on age and role. The ‘Taruna Dal’ (Army of the Youth) consisted of the young, aggressive, and highly mobile fighters responsible for offensive raids and combat. The ‘Budha Dal’ (Army of the Veterans) comprised the older, experienced warriors. The Budha Dal was strictly tasked with defending the holy shrines (Gurdwaras), managing community affairs, and ensuring the ideological purity of the Khalsa.

📌 Regional States • Sikhs

Q.27) Maharaja Ranjit Singh was appointed as the governor of Lahore in 1799 by which ruler of Afghanistan?

Ans > Zaman Shah

Chaos in 18th Century Punjab: In the late 18th century, Punjab was a chaotic patchwork of independent, fiercely competitive Sikh confederacies known as ‘misls’. During this period, the region was subjected to repeated, devastating invasions by the Afghan ruler Zaman Shah (the grandson of Ahmad Shah Durrani). However, these Afghan invasions ultimately failed to establish permanent control due to fierce Sikh resistance and internal rebellions in Kabul.
A Diplomatic Masterstroke: Ranjit Singh, the young, highly ambitious, and brilliantly tactical leader of the Sukerchakia Misl, saw an opportunity amidst this chaos. When Zaman Shah invaded Punjab in 1798 but was forced to hastily retreat to Kabul due to a rebellion, he lost several of his heavy artillery cannons in the flooded Jhelum River. Ranjit Singh recovered these cannons and courteously forwarded them to Zaman Shah in Kabul.
Legitimizing the Sikh Empire: Highly impressed by this diplomatic gesture and recognizing Ranjit Singh’s emerging dominance over the other Sikh chiefs, Zaman Shah issued a royal decree (firman) in 1799 officially appointing Ranjit Singh as the Governor of Lahore. Ranjit Singh brilliantly utilized this Afghan legal sanction to legitimize his massive capture of Lahore from the rival Bhangi Misl, laying the foundational cornerstone for the mighty Sikh Empire.

📌 Sikh Wars • First Anglo-Sikh War

Q.28) During the First Anglo-Sikh War, the Sikhs suffered a successive defeat at Aliwal. On what date did the Battle of Aliwal take place?

Ans > January 28, 1846

Outbreak of the War: The First Anglo-Sikh War (1845-1846) erupted after the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, plunging the powerful Sikh Empire into severe political chaos, factional assassinations, and military mutinies. The highly aggressive Sikh Khalsa Army, suspicious of British maneuvers on the Sutlej frontier, crossed the river, sparking a full-scale, devastating conflict with the British East India Company.
The Strategic Importance of Aliwal: The Battle of Aliwal, fought on January 28, 1846, was a highly critical turning point in the war. The British forces, commanded by the brilliant tactician Major General Sir Harry Smith, faced a formidable Sikh army led by Ranjodh Singh Majithia, who had previously caused significant problems for the British supply lines.
The Decisive British Maneuver: Sir Harry Smith executed a flawless, textbook military maneuver at Aliwal. The British infantry and cavalry decisively broke the Sikh lines, completely overran their defensive positions, and drove the Sikh forces into the Sutlej River with catastrophic losses. The spectacular victory at Aliwal removed the threat to the British rear, captured massive amounts of Sikh artillery, and set the stage for the final, decisive British victory at the bloody Battle of Sobraon weeks later.

📌 British Expansion • Awadh

Q.29) The first Indian state to sign a treaty anticipating the Subsidiary Alliance system, pledging to defray the expenses of British border defense, was Awadh. In what year did this occur?

Ans > 1765

Origins of the Subsidiary System: The Subsidiary Alliance system, famously institutionalized and aggressively weaponized by Lord Wellesley in 1798 to expand the British Empire, actually had its practical origins much earlier. The fundamental concept—forcing an Indian state to pay for the maintenance of British troops stationed within its borders for its “protection”—was first applied to the strategic state of Awadh (Oudh).
The Aftermath of Buxar: Following the decisive British victory at the Battle of Buxar in 1764 against the combined forces of Awadh, Bengal, and the Mughal Emperor, the British completely held Awadh at their mercy. However, Robert Clive astutely decided against directly annexing Awadh, preferring to use it as a highly fortified “buffer state” against the formidable Marathas and Afghans.
The Treaty of Allahabad (1765): Under the Treaty of Allahabad in 1765, the Nawab of Awadh, Shuja-ud-Daula, was forced into a highly unequal treaty. He was made to pay massive war indemnities and explicitly pledged to defray the total financial expenses of British troops stationed on Awadh’s borders for defense. This insidious arrangement fatally eroded Awadh’s sovereignty, crippled its economy with massive troop subsidies, and established the prototype for the formal Subsidiary Alliance system.

📌 Civil Uprisings • Midnapore

Q.30) Damodar Singh and Jagannath Dhal were important leaders in which civil uprising that took place between 1766 and 1774?

Ans > Revolt in Midnapore and Dhalbhum

Impact of Early British Revenue Policies: Following the acquisition of the Diwani of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa in 1765, the British East India Company aggressively implemented ruthless, highly extractive revenue policies. In the forested, tribal-dominated regions of Midnapore and Dhalbhum (often called the Jungle Mahals), these oppressive policies completely disrupted the traditional, localized agrarian economy and the socio-political autonomy of local chieftains.
Economic Ruin and Confiscation: The British arbitrarily introduced heavy cash assessments on lands that had traditionally paid nominal tribute. When the local zamindars and tribal chieftains failed to meet these exorbitant demands, their estates were ruthlessly confiscated and auctioned off to outsider speculators. This profound economic ruin and loss of ancestral prestige triggered a massive, violent armed uprising against British authority.
The Uprising (1766-1774): Prominent local chieftains, notably Damodar Singh and Jagannath Dhal, emerged as the primary leaders of this fierce rebellion, which raged from 1766 to 1774. They brilliantly mobilized the local Chuars (tribal peasants and disbanded militia) to launch devastating guerrilla attacks, completely paralyzing revenue collection and terrifying Company officials. The British were forced to launch massive, highly expensive military campaigns and construct strings of forts to finally pacify the region.

📌 Quick Summary — Modern History Set 41

Imports: India imported luxury items like pearls and dates from the Persian Gulf.
Arabia: Imports from Arabia included coffee, gold, drugs, and honey.
Tibet: Tibet supplied gold, musk, and woollen cloth to India.
Kunjali Maraikkars: The Kunjali Maraikkars served as the naval chiefs of the Zamorin of Calicut.
Language: Persian was the official court language during the 18th century.
Social Hierarchy: ‘Ajlaf’ referred to lower-class Muslims in 18th-century society.
Slavery: Offspring of slave marriages were generally considered free citizens.
Slave Trade: Abyssinian slaves were sold in major hubs, including Surat.
Mughal Decline: Satish Chandra argued the Mughal decline was rooted in the medieval economy.
Mughal Economy: The Mughal financial crisis manifested as a crisis in the Jagirdari system.
Aurangzeb: Sidney Owen noted the reimposition of jizya turned Rajputs into deadly enemies.
Bengal: Murshid Kuli Khan ruled independent Bengal until his death in 1727.
Bengal: Alivardi Khan was previously the Deputy Governor of Bihar.
Bengal: Siraj-ud-Daulah divested his hostile aunt, Ghasiti Begum, of her wealth.
French East India Company: Francois Caron led the expedition to establish the first French factory in Surat in 1667.
Dutch East India Company: The Dutch established a factory at Karaikal in 1645.
English East India Company: Thomas Roe secured permission for factories at Agra, Broach, and Ahmedabad.
First Anglo-Maratha War: Colonel Goddard captured Ahmedabad in February 1780.
First Anglo-Maratha War: General Camac defeated Mahadji Sindhia at Sipri in February 1781.
Treaties: Fateh Singh Gaekwad retained his Gujarat territories under the Treaty of Salbai.
Third Anglo-Maratha War: Tulsi Bai took the helm of Holkar affairs after Jaswantrao’s death.
Sindh: Ghulam Shah Kallora granted the parwana to build a factory at Thatta.
Sindh: The Talpuras settled in the plains of Sindh during the 1770s.
Sindh: The 1832 treaty prohibited warships and military materials on the Indus.
Sikhs: Banda Bahadur assumed leadership of the Sikhs in 1708.
Sikhs: The veteran section of the Dal Khalsa was named the Budha Dal.
Sikhs: Zaman Shah of Afghanistan appointed Ranjit Singh as governor of Lahore.
First Anglo-Sikh War: The Battle of Aliwal took place on January 28, 1846.
Awadh: Awadh signed an early form of the subsidiary alliance in 1765.
Midnapore: They led the revolt in Midnapore and Dhalbhum (1766-1774).

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Modern History Set 41

Q.1) During the 18th century, India imported pearls, raw silk, dates, dried fruits, and rose water primarily from which region?

Q.2) Which of the following sets of items was imported into India from Arabia during the 18th century?

Q.3) In 18th-century India, which items were primarily imported from Tibet?

Q.4) The Muslim Kunjali Maraikkars, who were well known for their seafaring ability, were utilized for the navy of which Indian ruler?

Q.5) In 18th-century India, which language was the court language and thus learned by both Muslims and Hindus in institutions of higher learning?

Q.6) Within the Muslim society of 18th-century India, the term ‘ajlaf’ was used to refer to which group of people?

Q.7) According to the text, what was the status of the offspring of marriages that took place among slaves in India?

Q.8) During the colonial era, Abyssinian slaves were brought to India by European trading companies and sold at Madras, Calcutta, and which other major market?

Q.9) Which historian stated that ‘The roots of the disintegration of the Mughal empire may be found in the Medieval Indian economy…’ in his work Parties and Politics at the Mughal Court, 1707-40?

Q.10) Historian Satish Chandra argued that the growing financial crisis of the Mughal Empire took the form of a crisis in which specific system?

Q.11) Which historian wrote that Aurangzeb struck a mortal blow to the empire by reimposing the jizya, thereby turning the Rajputs into ‘deadly and persistent enemies’?

Q.12) Murshid Kuli Khan, the founder of the independent state of Bengal, was a capable ruler who ruled until his death in which year?

Q.13) Alivardi Khan, who assumed power in Bengal in 1740 by killing Sarfaraz Khan, previously held which position?

Q.14) Prior to the Battle of Plassey, Siraj-ud-Daulah felt insecure and divested which hostile, childless widowed aunt of her treasures?

Q.15) The French East India Company established its first factory in Surat in 1667 under an expedition headed by whom?

Q.16) The Dutch established a factory on the eastern coast at Karaikal in which year?

Q.17) Sir Thomas Roe, the ambassador of King James I, secured permission from Jahangir to set up English factories at Agra, Broach, and which other city?

Q.18) Following the rejection of the Treaty of Wadgaon (1779), Warren Hastings sent a large force under Colonel Goddard. Goddard captured which city in February 1780?

Q.19) During the First Anglo-Maratha War, the English forces under General Camac finally defeated Mahadji Sindhia in February 1781 at which location?

Q.20) Under the Treaty of Salbai (1782), which Maratha leader was to remain in possession of his territory in Gujarat and serve the Peshwa as before?

Q.21) During the Third Anglo-Maratha War, who was the favorite mistress of the late Jaswantrao Holkar who took the helm of affairs in Poona?

Q.22) In 1758, an English factory was built at Thatta in Sindh due to a parwana (order) given by which Kallora prince?

Q.23) The Talpuras, who established a complete hold over Sindh in 1783, originally descended from the hills and settled in the plains of Sindh during which decade?

Q.24) In 1832, William Bentinck sent Colonel Pottinger to Sindh to sign a treaty. This treaty allowed free passage to English traders but explicitly prohibited what from plying on the Indus?

Q.25) After the murder of the last Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh, who assumed leadership of the Sikhs in 1708 and revolted against the Mughals?

Q.26) In 1784, Kapur Singh Faizullapuria organized the Sikhs into the Dal Khalsa, forming two sections. What was the army of the veterans called?

Q.27) Maharaja Ranjit Singh was appointed as the governor of Lahore in 1799 by which ruler of Afghanistan?

Q.28) During the First Anglo-Sikh War, the Sikhs suffered a successive defeat at Aliwal. On what date did the Battle of Aliwal take place?

Q.29) The first Indian state to sign a treaty anticipating the Subsidiary Alliance system, pledging to defray the expenses of British border defense, was Awadh. In what year did this occur?

Q.30) Damodar Singh and Jagannath Dhal were important leaders in which civil uprising that took place between 1766 and 1774?

📌 Quick Summary — Modern History Set 41

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Q.1) During the 18th century, India imported pearls, raw silk, dates, dried fruits, and rose water primarily from which region?

Q.2) Which of the following sets of items was imported into India from Arabia during the 18th century?

Q.3) In 18th-century India, which items were primarily imported from Tibet?

Q.4) The Muslim Kunjali Maraikkars, who were well known for their seafaring ability, were utilized for the navy of which Indian ruler?

Q.5) In 18th-century India, which language was the court language and thus learned by both Muslims and Hindus in institutions of higher learning?

Q.6) Within the Muslim society of 18th-century India, the term ‘ajlaf’ was used to refer to which group of people?

Q.7) According to the text, what was the status of the offspring of marriages that took place among slaves in India?

Q.8) During the colonial era, Abyssinian slaves were brought to India by European trading companies and sold at Madras, Calcutta, and which other major market?

Q.9) Which historian stated that ‘The roots of the disintegration of the Mughal empire may be found in the Medieval Indian economy…’ in his work Parties and Politics at the Mughal Court, 1707-40?

Q.10) Historian Satish Chandra argued that the growing financial crisis of the Mughal Empire took the form of a crisis in which specific system?

Q.11) Which historian wrote that Aurangzeb struck a mortal blow to the empire by reimposing the jizya, thereby turning the Rajputs into ‘deadly and persistent enemies’?

Q.12) Murshid Kuli Khan, the founder of the independent state of Bengal, was a capable ruler who ruled until his death in which year?

Q.13) Alivardi Khan, who assumed power in Bengal in 1740 by killing Sarfaraz Khan, previously held which position?

Q.14) Prior to the Battle of Plassey, Siraj-ud-Daulah felt insecure and divested which hostile, childless widowed aunt of her treasures?

Q.15) The French East India Company established its first factory in Surat in 1667 under an expedition headed by whom?

Q.16) The Dutch established a factory on the eastern coast at Karaikal in which year?

Q.17) Sir Thomas Roe, the ambassador of King James I, secured permission from Jahangir to set up English factories at Agra, Broach, and which other city?

Q.18) Following the rejection of the Treaty of Wadgaon (1779), Warren Hastings sent a large force under Colonel Goddard. Goddard captured which city in February 1780?

Q.19) During the First Anglo-Maratha War, the English forces under General Camac finally defeated Mahadji Sindhia in February 1781 at which location?

Q.20) Under the Treaty of Salbai (1782), which Maratha leader was to remain in possession of his territory in Gujarat and serve the Peshwa as before?

Q.21) During the Third Anglo-Maratha War, who was the favorite mistress of the late Jaswantrao Holkar who took the helm of affairs in Poona?

Q.22) In 1758, an English factory was built at Thatta in Sindh due to a parwana (order) given by which Kallora prince?

Q.23) The Talpuras, who established a complete hold over Sindh in 1783, originally descended from the hills and settled in the plains of Sindh during which decade?

Q.24) In 1832, William Bentinck sent Colonel Pottinger to Sindh to sign a treaty. This treaty allowed free passage to English traders but explicitly prohibited what from plying on the Indus?

Q.25) After the murder of the last Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh, who assumed leadership of the Sikhs in 1708 and revolted against the Mughals?

Q.26) In 1784, Kapur Singh Faizullapuria organized the Sikhs into the Dal Khalsa, forming two sections. What was the army of the veterans called?

Q.27) Maharaja Ranjit Singh was appointed as the governor of Lahore in 1799 by which ruler of Afghanistan?

Q.28) During the First Anglo-Sikh War, the Sikhs suffered a successive defeat at Aliwal. On what date did the Battle of Aliwal take place?

Q.29) The first Indian state to sign a treaty anticipating the Subsidiary Alliance system, pledging to defray the expenses of British border defense, was Awadh. In what year did this occur?

Q.30) Damodar Singh and Jagannath Dhal were important leaders in which civil uprising that took place between 1766 and 1774?

📌 Quick Summary — Modern History Set 41

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