India in the Eighteenth Century — Important Questions

It shifted real power from the Maratha king to the Peshwa's family, making the king a figurehead

Step 1: Initially, the Peshwa was a Chief Minister appointed by the Maratha king Sahu. Step 2: When Balaji Vishwanath made the post hereditary, it meant the Peshwaship would pass within his family automatically, not by royal appointment. Step 3: Over time, as successive Peshwas like Baji Rao I proved more capable than the king, the king became merely a symbolic ruler. Step 4: The actual governance, military, and diplomatic decisions were made by the Peshwa — a classic shift to a 'titular head' situation. Step 5: Option A is incorrect — it actually reduced the king's control. Option C is incorr

The Nawabs failed to build a strong army and did not check the Company's expansionist tendencies in time

Step 1: The Nawabs of Bengal — Murshid Quli Khan, Shuja-ud-din, and Alivardi Khan — did bring peace and encouraged trade, making Bengal prosperous. Step 2: However, prosperity alone cannot protect a kingdom. Step 3: Despite recognising the Company's growing power and hostile behaviour, these Nawabs did not take firm military action to limit the Company's activities. Step 4: The absence of a strong, well-equipped army meant that when confrontation finally came, Bengal was militarily unprepared. Step 5: Option A is wrong — the Nawabs had no alliance with Nadir Shah against the British. Option C

To oppose the wrongdoings of the Mughals and protect the Sikh community

Step 1: Guru Gobind Singh was the tenth and last human Guru of the Sikhs. Step 2: The Mughals under Aurangzeb were particularly hostile towards the Sikhs, persecuting them and their Gurus. Step 3: To protect the community and resist Mughal oppression, Guru Gobind Singh transformed the Sikhs from a primarily spiritual community into a disciplined military force — the Khalsa. Step 4: The Khalsa's primary function, as stated in the textbook, was to 'oppose the wrongdoings of Mughals.' Step 5: Option A is incorrect — the Khalsa was a military brotherhood, not a missionary organisation. Option C is

It confirmed Ranjit Singh's sovereignty over territory west of the river Sutlej

Step 1: Maharaja Ranjit Singh had been expanding the Sikh kingdom and brought the entire area west of the river Sutlej under his control. Step 2: The Treaty of Amritsar in 1809 formalised this arrangement with the British. Step 3: The treaty confirmed Ranjit Singh's conquests and his sovereignty specifically over the territory west of the Sutlej River. Step 4: This also implied that east of the Sutlej would remain under British influence — a boundary of sorts was established. Step 5: Option A is wrong — the British did not get Punjab from this treaty; Ranjit Singh retained his kingdom. Option