Rise of Bengal As An Autonomous States During Mughal Empire (1717-1884)

PWOnlyIAS July 22, 2023 03:06 8727 0

INTRODUCTION

The rise of Bengal as a significant power can be traced back to the ascension of Murshid Quli Khan as the Nawab of Bengal. His reign brought about a significant rise in Bengal’s prominence and prosperity. He implemented astute administrative and economic policies that fostered growth and stability.

THE MUGHAL CONQUEST OF BENGAL

220

The Mughal conquest of Bengal occurred in several stages:

Babur’s Conquests: During the reign of Babur, the first Mughal emperor, the absorption of Bengal began. In the Battle of Ghaghra in 1529, Babur defeated Bengal Sultan Nasiruddin Nasrat Shah and annexed parts of Bengal.
Humayun’s Reign: Humayun, Babur’s son and successor, briefly captured the Bengali capital, Gaur. However, he was later forced to seek asylum in Persia due to the conquests of Sher Shah Suri.
Rule of Sher Shah Suri: Sher Shah Suri temporarily overthrew both the Mughals and the Bengal Sultans, asserting his authority over the region.
Akbar’s Conquest: The Mughal conquest of Bengal officially began on March 3, 1575, when Emperor Akbar’s army defeated the independent ruler of Bengal, Sultan Daud Khan Karrani, in the Battle of Tukaroi.
Establishment of Bengal Subah: After Sultan Daud Karrani’s defeat at the Battle of Rajmahal the following year, Akbar established Bengal as one of the original twelve Subahs (provinces) of the Mughal Empire. It bordered Bihar and Orissa Subahs as well as Burma.

These conquests marked the incorporation of Bengal into the Mughal Empire as an important province, shaping its political and administrative structure.

Enroll now for UPSC Online Course

BENGAL UNDER MUGHALS

Bengal was the biggest subdivision of the Mughal Empire, spanning present-day Bangladesh and West Bengal.

Prosperity and Trade: Bengal was the richest region in the Indian subcontinent, known for its proto-industrial economy and significant trade. It was referred to as the “Golden Age of Bengal” and the “Paradise of Nations.”
Key Exporter: Bengal accounted for 40% of Asian imports into the Netherlands and excelled in industries like textile production, shipbuilding, and the export of silk, cotton textiles, steel, and saltpetre.
Anglo-Mughal War: The region was also a battleground during the Anglo-Mughal War.
Proto-Industrialization: Mughal Bengal witnessed proto-industrialization and made significant contributions to the first Industrial Revolution, especially in textile manufacturing.

Following the British East India Company’s victory at the Battle of Plassey in 1757, Bengal underwent a deindustrialization process.

RISE OF BENGAL AS AN AUTONOMOUS STATE

The rise of the autonomous state of Bengal marks a significant period in the region’s history. Here is an overview of the key events:

Granting of Permissions: The last Mughal viceroy of Bengal granted permissions to European colonial powers, including the British East India Company, the French East India Company, and the Dutch East India Company, to establish their respective forts in the region.
Rise of Murshid Quli Khan: A prominent figure during the reign of the Mughal viceroy, Murshid Quli Khan, rose to power as Prime Minister, gaining significant influence and control over imperial finances.
Elevation to Nawab of Bengal: In 1717, the Mughal Court elevated the Prime Minister’s rank to that of the hereditary Nawab of Bengal, granting the region greater autonomy.
Establishment of an Independent State: Under the leadership of the Nawab of Bengal, the region established itself as an independent state, leading to increased prosperity. Murshid Quli Khan died in 1727, and his son-in-law Shuja-ud-din ruled Bengal till 1739.
Nasiri Dynasty: The dynasty established by the ancestors of the Nawab continued to rule Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa.
Alivardi Khan’s Overthrow: In 1740, Alivardi Khan, a capable military commander and governor of Bihar, seized control and established a new dynasty after overthrowing the previous rulers, significantly shaping Bengal’s political landscape.
Sarfaraz Khan’s Assassination: He was assassinated in 1740 by Alivardi Khan, leading him to declare independence from the Mughal emperor and pay yearly tribute instead of recognizing direct Mughal authority.

ADMINISTRATION IN BENGAL

Under Murshid Quli Khan’s administration, the Nawab of Bengal held considerable power and authority. He established a centralised administrative structure that aimed to streamline governance and increase revenue for the state. Some key features of the administrative system during his time included:

Administration and Reforms: These three Nawabs gave Bengal a long period of peace and orderly administration and promoted its trade and industry. All three Nawabs recognised that expansion of trade benefited the people and the government and, therefore, encouraged all merchants, Indian or foreign.
Revenue Settlement: Murshid Quli Khan changed the administrative economies and reorganised Bengal’s finances by converting significant portions of jagir lands into Khalisa lands, carrying out a new revenue settlement, and instituting the revenue farming system.
Farm loans: He also granted agricultural loans (Taccavi) to the poor cultivators to relieve their distress as well as to enable them to pay land revenue in time.
Law and Order: By establishing regular thanas and Chowkies, they ensured that roads and rivers were protected from thieves and robbers. The officials checked private trade and prevented abuses in the customs administration.
Secular Administration: Hindus and Muslims had equal access to employment under Murshid Quli Khan and the succeeding Nawabs. They appointed Bengalis, the majority of whom were Hindus, to the highest civil positions as well as many military positions.
Landed Aristocracy: In choosing revenue farmers, Murshid Quli Khan gave preference to local zamindars and Mahajan (moneylenders), who were mainly Hindus. In Bengal, a new landed aristocracy was thus founded as a result of his actions.

The administrative system evolved over time, and subsequent rulers and administrators made further changes and additions to the governance structure in Bengal.

#PWOnlyIAS Edge

Malzamini System And The Rise Of New Landed Aristocracy

In 1722, Murshid Quli Khan introduced an improved income agreement, assessing land productivity through revenue officials, which bolstered imperial revenues.
He created new zamindaries, exploiting Hindu zamindars for revenue collection, and adopted a two-pronged approach:
1. Converting officers’ jagirs into Khalisa and
2. Granting contracts (Ijara system) to collect land revenue, thus establishing a new landed aristocracy with zamindars receiving titles like Raja and Maharaja.
He organised the land into thirteen Chaklas, further divided into 13 tracts for Jagirdar collection and 25 portions reserved as khalisa for contractors.

ECONOMIC CONDITION

This era witnessed the flourishing of trade, agriculture, and art, elevating Bengal to a position of considerable influence in the Indian subcontinent. Murshid Quli Khan’s leadership laid the groundwork for Bengal’s subsequent emergence as a formidable power in the region.

Foreign Trade: During the reign of Murshid Quli Khan, Bengal’s domestic and foreign trade developed significantly. Bengal was a highly active trading centre for traders from the Persian, Arab, and Armenian cultures. Murshid Quli Khan understood the value of commerce and supported it.
Export and Bullion Inflow: Beginning in the 17th century, European businesses were eager to purchase any quantity of Bengali goods, particularly cotton, silk, and their byproducts. The nation made substantial earnings as a result of its imports of gold and silver bullion.
Moneylenders: Along with coin and goods traders, moneylenders, Sahus or money changers, and banians, or brokers, business was brisk for all of these individuals. These moneylenders were numerous, but Jagat Sheth rose to the top of the list.
Replacement by Revenue Farmers: Thus, he was able to increase the resources of the Bengal Government, but the system of revenue farming led to increased economic pressure on the peasants. His reforms led to the ruthless extraction of revenue from both zamindars and peasants while displacing established zamindars and empowering new revenue farmers.

Murshid Quli Khan’s economic policies and administrative reforms played a crucial role in improving the economic condition of Bengal during his reign. The focus on revenue collection, trade promotion, agricultural development, and infrastructure contributed to the prosperity of the region and set the foundation for future economic growth.

Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes

CONFRONTATION WITH THE BRITISH

The confrontation between the British and the Nawabs of Bengal played a significant role in the history of Bengal during the 18th century. It led to a shift in power dynamics and ultimately paved the way for British dominance in the region.

Strict Control over the Foreign Trading Company: The Foreign trading companies and their employees were subject to strict oversight at all times, and they were not allowed to abuse their privileges. They made it mandatory for the English East India Company’s employees to abide by local laws and pay the same customs fees as other traders.
- The English and the French were not allowed by Alivardi Khan to fortify their factories in Chandranagar and Calcutta.
Reasons for their defeat at the hands of the British:
- Underestimating the true nature of the British: The Bengal Nawabs underestimated the British East India Company as a trading entity and failed to anticipate its aggressive territorial ambitions and military capabilities, failing to take decisive action to counter its growing influence.
- Neglecting the development of a strong army: The Bengal Nawabs’ neglect of building a strong military force, relying on inadequate and under-equipped armies, exposed their vulnerability to external threats from the Marathas and the British, ultimately leading to their defeat.
- Corruption among officials: Widespread corruption among Bengal Nawabs’ officials, including qazis and muftis, weakened the legal system, allowing the British East India Company to exploit loopholes and manipulate policies to their advantage.
- Frequent Maratha raids: The Bengal Nawabs confronted frequent Maratha invasions, resulting in the loss of Orissa and payment of tribute. These conflicts disrupted crucial trade routes, particularly with North and West India, impacting Bengal’s revenue streams.
- Battle of Plassey: When the English East India Company declared war on Siraj-ud-Daulah, the successor of Alivardi Khan, in 1756-57, the absence of a strong army and internal disarray contributed significantly to the British victory. This marked a turning point in the British consolidation of power in Bengal, paving the way for their subsequent dominance in the region.

CONCLUSION

The 18th century saw substantial political, economic, and cultural changes in Bengal province. It was colonised by the British, which resulted in exploitative practices and the demise of indigenous businesses. This era saw the beginning of Bengal’s incorporation into the British Empire, laying the groundwork for future independence efforts.