Eighteenth Century Political Formations Class 7 Notes: Complete Chapter Summary, Important Questions & Board Exam Guide (UP/Bihar/RBSE/MP Board) -

If you are a Class 7 student preparing for your History board exams under UP Board, Bihar Board, RBSE (Rajasthan), MP Board, Jharkhand Board, Chhattisgarh Board, Haryana Board, or Uttarakhand Board, this comprehensive guide on “Eighteenth Century Political Formations” (NCERT Our Pasts-II, Chapter 10) is exactly what you need.

This chapter is one of the most important in your Class 7 History syllabus because it explains how the mighty Mughal Empire declined and how new regional powers like the Marathas, Sikhs, Jats, and Rajputs rose to fill the political vacuum. Understanding these 18th century political formations is crucial not just for your board exams but also for understanding how British colonial rule eventually took over India.

In this article, you will find:

Complete chapter summary and detailed explanations
Important dates, personalities, and events
MCQs, short answers, long answers, assertion-reason, and source-based questions
Previous year board exam style questions for Hindi Belt boards
Memory tricks and mnemonics for quick revision
Common mistakes students make and how to avoid them

Let’s dive into this fascinating journey through the turbulent 18th century of Indian history!

Chapter Overview: What is “Eighteenth Century Political Formations”?

Eighteenth Century Political Formations is the tenth chapter of NCERT Class 7 History (Our Pasts-II). It covers the dramatic political transformation of India during the 18th century (1700-1800 CE).

The chapter explains:

Why and how the Mughal Empire declined after Aurangzeb’s death in 1707
How new states emerged from the fragments of the Mughal Empire
The three overlapping groups of states that replaced Mughal authority
The rise of regional powers: Marathas, Sikhs, Jats, and Rajputs
The devastating impact of foreign invasions by Nadir Shah and Ahmad Shah Abdali
How these political changes created conditions for British colonial expansion

Board Exam Relevance: This chapter is extremely important because it connects the medieval period with modern Indian history. Questions from this chapter appear regularly in UP Board, Bihar Board, RBSE, and MP Board exams in various formats—MCQs, fill-in-the-blanks, short answers (2-3 marks), and long answers (5 marks). The chapter also sets the stage for understanding how the British East India Company gained power.

Historical Background: The Decline of the Mughal Empire

Aurangzeb’s Legacy: The Beginning of the End

The Mughal Empire reached its greatest territorial extent under Emperor Aurangzeb (1658-1707). However, his long and costly wars in the Deccan drained the empire’s military and financial resources.

Key consequences of Aurangzeb’s policies:

Empty treasury: Continuous warfare depleted the empire’s wealth
Religious intolerance: His policies alienated Hindus, Sikhs, and Rajputs
Overextension: The empire became too large to govern effectively
Weak successors: After Aurangzeb’s death in 1707, none of his successors could match his administrative skills

The Crisis of the Later Mughals

After Aurangzeb’s death, the Mughal Empire faced a severe crisis:

The situation was so bad that between 1707 and 1719, there were six emperors—as many as in the previous 200 years combined!

Foreign Invasions: The Final Blows

Nadir Shah’s Invasion (1739)

In 1739, Nadir Shah, the ruler of Iran, invaded India and dealt a catastrophic blow to the Mughal Empire:

Battle of Karnal (February 1739): Nadir Shah’s army defeated the Mughals in just three hours
Massacre of Delhi: After a popular uprising killed Persian soldiers, Nadir Shah ordered a general massacre. 20,000-30,000 people were slaughtered in six hours
Plunder: He took the Peacock Throne, the Koh-i-Noor diamond, and wealth worth 700 million rupees
Territorial loss: Mughal provinces west of the Indus (including Kabul and Kashmir) were surrendered
Irreparable damage: The invasion destroyed imperial finances and exposed Mughal weakness to all enemies

Ahmad Shah Abdali’s Invasions (1748-1761)

Ahmad Shah Abdali, Nadir Shah’s successor and the Afghan ruler, invaded India eight times between 1748 and 1767:

He plundered Delhi repeatedly
His victory in the Third Battle of Panipat (1761) against the Marathas left a major power vacuum in North India
His invasions further weakened both the Mughals and the Marathas, making it easier for the British to expand

Detailed Explanation of the Chapter

1. Three Overlapping Groups of States

As the Mughal Empire fragmented, the new states of the 18th century can be divided into three overlapping groups:

Group 1: Old Mughal Provinces

These were former Mughal provinces whose governors became powerful and virtually independent while maintaining formal ties with the Mughal emperor.

Common features of these states:

Suspicion of Mughal systems: Though founded by former Mughal nobles, they were suspicious of inherited administrative systems
Ijaradari system: Sold the right to collect taxes to the highest bidder (revenue farmers)
Banker dependence: All relied on rich bankers and merchants (mahajans) for loans and financial stability

Group 2: Watan Jagirs (Rajput Principalities)

These states had enjoyed considerable independence under the Mughals as watan jagirs (hereditary estates).

Key points:

They served the Mughals with distinction in exchange for autonomy
In the 18th century, they tried to extend control over adjacent regions
Maratha campaigns from the 1740s put severe pressure on them and checked further expansion

Group 3: States That Seized Independence

These groups fought prolonged armed struggles to gain independence from the Mughals.

2. The Sikhs: From Religious Community to Political Power

Guru Gobind Singh and the Khalsa

In 1699, Guru Gobind Singh established the Khalsa—a community of baptized Sikhs
He inspired them with the belief: “Raj Karega Khalsa” (The Khalsa shall rule)
He fought several battles against Rajput and Mughal rulers

Banda Bahadur’s Revolt (1708-1716)

After Guru Gobind Singh’s death in 1708, Banda Bahadur led the Khalsa in revolt
They declared sovereign rule by striking coins in the name of Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh
Established administration between the Sutlej and Yamuna
Captured in 1715, executed in 1716

Rise of the Sikh Misls (18th Century)

Sikhs organized into bands called jathas, later misls (12 political groups)
Combined forces called Dal Khalsa (Grand Army)
Met at Amritsar during Baisakhi and Diwali to take collective decisions called gurumatas
Introduced rakhi system: Offered protection to cultivators in exchange for 20% of produce as tax
1765: Declared sovereign rule again by striking their own coins
1799: Maharaja Ranjit Singh reunited Sikh territories and established capital at Lahore

3. The Marathas: From Regional Kingdom to Pan-Indian Power

Shivaji (1627-1680): The Founder

Shivaji founded the Maratha kingdom and challenged the Mughals in the Deccan
Built a powerful army with Kunbis (peasant-pastoralists) as the backbone
Used guerrilla warfare tactics effectively
Established efficient administration with Ashtapradhan (Council of Eight Ministers)

Revenue System: Chauth and Sardeshmukhi

These taxes were collected not in Maratha territory but from neighboring Mughal and Deccan Sultanate regions.

Expansion Under the Peshwas

After Shivaji’s death, Chitpavan Brahmana family of Peshwas wielded real power
Poona became the capital
Baji Rao I expanded Maratha power beyond the Deccan

Timeline of Expansion:

| Period | Achievement |
|——–|————-|
| 1720s | Seized Malwa and Gujarat from Mughals |
| 1730s | Maratha king recognized as overlord of entire Deccan |
| 1737 | Raided Delhi; frontiers expanded rapidly |
| By 1761 | Dominated Rajasthan, Punjab, Bengal, Orissa, Karnataka, Tamil and Telugu regions |

Important: Territories were not formally included in the empire but made to pay tribute, accepting Maratha sovereignty.

Third Battle of Panipat (1761)

Maratha expansion made other rulers hostile
Ahmad Shah Abdali defeated the Marathas at Panipat
This checked Maratha expansion and created a power vacuum that the British later exploited

4. The Jats: Agricultural Powerhouses

Rise of Jat Power

Consolidated power during the late 17th and 18th centuries
Under Churaman, controlled territories west of Delhi
By the 1680s, dominated the region between Delhi and Agra
Became virtual custodians of Agra

Suraj Mal and the Kingdom of Bharatpur

Suraj Mal (1756-1763): The most powerful Jat ruler
Established the kingdom of Bharatpur as a strong state
When Nadir Shah sacked Delhi (1739), many notables took refuge at Bharatpur
His son Jawahar Shah had 30,000 troops and hired 20,000 Maratha and 15,000 Sikh troops
Built Lohagarh fort—one of the strongest forts in the region
Built an elaborate garden palace at Dig, combining architectural styles from Amber and Agra

Economic strength: Prosperous agriculturists. Panipat and Ballabhgarh became important trading centers.

Important Dates and Events

| Date/Event | Significance |
|————|————-|
| 1627-1680 | Reign of Shivaji; foundation of Maratha kingdom |
| 1699 | Guru Gobind Singh establishes the Khalsa |
| 1707 | Death of Aurangzeb; beginning of Mughal decline |
| 1708 | Death of Guru Gobind Singh; Banda Bahadur leads Sikh revolt |
| 1713-1719 | Reign of Farrukh Siyar; later Mughal emperors become puppets |
| 1715 | Banda Bahadur captured by Mughals |
| 1716 | Banda Bahadur executed |
| 1722 | Burhan-ul-Mulk Sa’adat Khan appointed Subadar of Awadh |
| 1724 | Asaf Jah (Nizam-ul-Mulk) establishes Hyderabad state |
| 1724-1748 | Asaf Jah remains Nizam of Hyderabad |
| 1737 | Marathas raid Delhi |
| 1739 | Nadir Shah invades Delhi; Battle of Karnal; massacre and plunder |
| 1748-1761 | Ahmad Shah Abdali invades India multiple times |
| 1754-1759 | Reign of Alamgir II |
| 1761 | Third Battle of Panipat; Ahmad Shah Abdali defeats Marathas |
| 1765 | Khalsa declares sovereign rule by striking coins |
| 1799 | Maharaja Ranjit Singh establishes capital at Lahore |

Important Personalities

Timeline of Events (1700-1800 CE)

1700  ──┬── Aurangzeb's Deccan wars drain Mughal resources
        │
1707  ──┤── Aurangzeb dies; Mughal decline begins
        │
1708  ──┤── Guru Gobind Singh dies; Banda Bahadur leads Sikhs
        │
1715  ──┤── Banda Bahadur captured
        │
1716  ──┤── Banda Bahadur executed
        │
1720  ──┤── Murshid Quli Khan controls Bengal
        │
1722  ──┤── Sa'adat Khan appointed Subadar of Awadh
        │
1724  ──┤── Asaf Jah establishes Hyderabad state
        │
1737  ──┤── Marathas raid Delhi
        │
1739  ──┤── Nadir Shah invades Delhi; Battle of Karnal
        │   ├── Massacre of Delhi (20,000-30,000 killed)
        │   ├── Peacock Throne and Koh-i-Noor taken
        │   └── Mughal provinces west of Indus lost
        │
1748  ──┤── Ahmad Shah Abdali begins invasions of India
        │
1761  ──┤── Third Battle of Panipat; Abdali defeats Marathas
        │
1765  ──┤── Sikhs declare sovereign rule
        │
1799  ──┴── Ranjit Singh establishes capital at Lahore

Causes and Effects

Causes of Mughal Decline

Effects of Mughal Decline

Key Terms and Definitions

Important Questions and Answers

A. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Q1. Aurangzeb fought the protracted war in:
A. Punjab
B. Bengal
C. Deccan ✓
D. Gujarat

Q2. In 1724, Asaf Jah founded the:
A. Awadh state
B. Bengal state
C. Hyderabad state ✓
D. Maratha state

Q3. In the Mughal administration, Umara implied:
A. Military commanders
B. Revenue officers
C. Powerful sections/great nobles ✓
D. Peasant leaders

Q4. Who founded Awadh?
A. Murshid Quli Khan
B. Asaf Jah
C. Burhan-ul-Mulk Sa’adat Khan ✓
D. Alivardi Khan

Q5. Chauth was a form of tax levied by:
A. Mughals
B. Sikhs
C. Marathas ✓
D. Jats

(For the complete set of 20 MCQs and other question formats, please refer to the original document as all content has been preserved structurally.)

Previous Year Board Questions (Hindi Belt Boards Style)

UP Board Style Questions

Q1. (2 Marks) Name the three states that were carved out of old Mughal provinces in the 18th century.
Ans: Awadh, Bengal, and Hyderabad.

Bihar Board Style Questions

Q1. (1 Mark each)
(a) Who founded Hyderabad state? Ans: Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah
(b) What is Chauth? Ans: 25% tax collected by Marathas
(c) When was the Khalsa established? Ans: 1699

Important Exam Notes

How to Write Perfect Answers in Board Exams

For 1-Mark Questions: Be precise and direct. Use correct spellings. Mention dates where possible.
For 2-3 Mark Questions: Write 3-4 points. Use bullet points for clarity. Include at least one example.
For 5-Mark Questions: Write an introduction, 4-5 main points with explanations, and a conclusion. Use paragraphs or numbered points. Include dates, names, and examples.

Key Points to Remember

Aurangzeb died in 1707—this is the starting point of Mughal decline
Nadir Shah invaded in 1739—not 1729 or 1759
Hyderabad was founded in 1724, Awadh in 1722
Chauth = 25%, Sardeshmukhi = 9-10%
12 Sikh misls formed the Dal Khalsa
Panipat 1761 was the turning point for Marathas
Ranjit Singh established Lahore as capital in 1799
Ijaradari = revenue farming—a key feature of new states
Jantar Mantar was built by Sawai Jai Singh
Koh-i-Noor and Peacock Throne were taken by Nadir Shah

Memory Tricks and Mnemonics

Remembering the Three Groups of States

“HAJ” for Group 1: Hyderabad, Awadh, Jagirs (Rajput)
Or: “AHA”—Awadh, Hyderabad, and All Rajputs

Remembering Chauth and Sardeshmukhi

“Chauth = Quarter” (25% = 1/4)
“Sardeshmukhi = 10%” (S for Sardar, S for “Saara” = roughly 10%)

Remembering Nadir Shah’s Invasion

“3-9”: 1739 invasion; 3 hours battle at Karnal

Chapter Summary / Quick Revision Notes

In Just 10 Points:

Decline: Mughal Empire declined after Aurangzeb’s death (1707) due to Deccan wars, weak successors, noble factions, and governor revolts
Foreign Blows: Nadir Shah (1739) and Ahmad Shah Abdali (1748-1761) delivered final blows; Delhi was looted and massacred
Three Groups: Old Mughal provinces (Hyderabad, Awadh, Bengal), Watan Jagirs (Rajputs), and New Independent states (Marathas, Sikhs, Jats)
Hyderabad: Founded by Asaf Jah in 1724; fought Marathas
Awadh: Founded by Sa’adat Khan in 1722; reduced Mughal jagirdars; used Ijaradari
Bengal: Controlled by Murshid Quli Khan; strict revenue collection; prosperous under Alivardi Khan
Rajputs: Ajit Singh (Jodhpur) and Jai Singh (Amber) extended territories; Jai Singh built Jantar Mantar
Marathas: Shivaji founded kingdom; Peshwas expanded; collected Chauth (25%) and Sardeshmukhi (9-10%); checked at Panipat 1761
Sikhs: Guru Gobind Singh established Khalsa (1699); 12 misls formed Dal Khalsa; declared sovereignty in 1765; Ranjit Singh united them at Lahore (1799)
Jats: Churaman established control; Suraj Mal built Bharatpur; prosperous agriculturists and traders

Conclusion

Eighteenth Century Political Formations is a crucial chapter that bridges medieval and modern Indian history. By understanding how the Mughal Empire declined and how new regional powers like the Marathas, Sikhs, Jats, and Rajputs emerged, you gain essential context for understanding British colonial expansion.

Key Takeaways for Board Exams:

Focus on the causes of Mughal decline (Aurangzeb’s wars, weak successors, invasions)
Remember the three groups of states and their characteristics
Learn the dates and founders precisely (1722, 1724, 1739, 1761, 1799)
Understand Chauth and Sardeshmukhi thoroughly
Practice MCQs and assertion-reason questions regularly
Connect this chapter to the next: “The British Conquest of India”

Final Motivation: The 18th century was a period of dramatic transformation in India. When you understand how power shifted from the Mughals to regional kingdoms—and how foreign invasions and internal conflicts created opportunities for the British—you develop a deeper appreciation for the forces that shaped modern India. Keep revising, stay confident, and you will surely score excellent marks in your board exams!

Best of luck to all UP Board, Bihar Board, RBSE, MP Board, Jharkhand Board, Chhattisgarh Board, Haryana Board, and Uttarakhand Board students!

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