Understanding the decline of the Mughal Empire and the rise of British control in India requires a close look at the key historical events between the early 18th and late 19th centuries. From the death of Aurangzeb in 1707 to the establishment of the Durand Line in 1893, this period was marked by significant battles, invasions, and political changes that reshaped the Indian subcontinent. In this note guide, we shall explore these pivotal events, highlighting their impact on the subcontinent's transition from Mughal to British rule.
Pakistan Studies: Key Historical Events from 1700-1900
Events from 1700-1800:
|
Date |
Events |
|
1707 |
Aurangzeb dies, leaving a vast but weakened empire extending from Kashmir to Karnataka and from Ghazni to Chittagong |
|
1719 |
Muhammad Shah becomes emperor, facing internal opposition |
|
1737 |
Marathas defeat the Mughal army, signalling the decline of Mughal power |
|
1738 |
Persian leader Nadir Shah invaded the Mughal Empire, defeating Muhammad Shah at Karnal |
|
1739 |
Nadir Shah captures Delhi, taking territories west of the Indus and leaving with significant loot |
|
1747 |
Afghan general Ahmed Shah Durrani attacks Kabul, Peshawar, and Lahore |
|
1756 |
Siraj-ud-Dawlah, the Nawab of Bengal, attacks the EIC base in Calcutta |
|
1757 |
Battle of Plassey |
|
1761 |
Ahmed Shah Durrani defeats the Marathas at the Battle of Panipat |
|
1764 |
Battle of Buxar |
|
1773 |
Act of Parliament |
|
1782 |
Governor-General Warren Hastings signs a treaty ending the First Maratha War |
|
1784 |
Pitt’s India Act |
|
1799 |
Governor-General Wellesley invades Mysore, killing Tipu Sultan. Nawabs of Oudh were defeated and forced to grant large areas to the British |
Events from 1800-1900:
|
Date |
Events |
|
1803 |
British enter Delhi, forcing Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II to accept rule under ‘British protection’ |
|
1809 |
Ranjit Singh signs a treaty of perpetual friendship with the British |
|
1818 |
Marathas defeated by British, forced to accept British control |
|
1822 |
Bengali freedom fighter Titu Mir goes to pilgrimage in Mecca |
|
1827 |
Titu Mir returns to Bengal, proclaims himself king, builds bamboo fort at Narkela, defeats British forces but dies after 5 days of fighting |
|
1833 |
Charter Act allows Indians to be part of civil service, but little changes in practice |
|
1834 |
English replaces Persian as the official language |
|
1835 |
Education in India decided to be in English |
|
1839 |
Ranjit Singh dies |
|
1841 |
British forces in Afghanistan killed |
|
1843 |
Annexation of Sindh |
|
Jan 1846 |
Battle of Aliwal resulted in the Treaty of Lahore |
|
1848-9: |
Second Sikh War, Sikhs were defeated, and on March 30, 1849, Punjab and North West Frontier became part of the British empire |
|
1852 |
Governor-General Dalhousie applies the Doctrine of Lapse, annexing Satara, Nagpur, and Jhansi |
|
1856 |
Nawab of Oudh dies, and despite natural heirs, the British declare him unfit, taking control of Oudh |
|
1857 |
During the War of Independence, Bahadur Shah, the last Mughal emperor, is expelled, and the British take full control |
|
1875 |
Aligarh Movement founded by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan |
|
1893 |
Durand Line was established, fixing the border between India and Afghanistan based on natural geography |
Conclusion
Each event, from the battles that weakened the Mughals to the strategic moves by the British East India Company, played a crucial role in shaping modern India's history (as well as the IGCSE and O Level Pakistan Studies syllabus). By understanding these key moments, we gain a deeper insight into the complex historical processes that led to the British Raj and the lasting impact it has had on the Indian subcontinent. If you are still struggling, explore the Out-Class Pakistan Studies - History Course and clear all your concepts!
Most Common Repeated Questions:
Unlock the secrets to acing your CAIE IGCSE/O Level exams with a sneak peek into the most frequently asked questions that have graced the past papers!
Why were the British able to replace the Mughals as the dominant force in the Sub-continent by 1850? (7) [Oct/Nov 2004, 2006, 2010] [May/June 2015]
Why did the British Government take control of the affairs of the East India Company in the early nineteenth century? (7) [May/June 2004, 2009]
Explain why the East India Company became involved in the Indian sub-continent during the seventeenth century. (7) [May/June 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2016] [Oct/Nov 2012]
Were the weak and greedy characteristics of Aurangzeb’s successors the most important reasons for the collapse of the Mughal Empire? Explain your answer. (14) [Oct/Nov 2005, 2009] [May/June 2006, 2007]
‘Indian resistance to British attempts to take control of lands in the sub-continent in the hundred years before 1850 was totally unsuccessful.’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer. (14) [May/June 2006, 2011] [Oct/Nov 2010, 2012, 2016]
Explain why the successors of Aurangzeb failed to prevent the decline of the Mughal Empire. (7) [Oct/Nov 2008, 2010 2012, 2013] [May/June 2017]
