Question

The Mughal empire became stronger in the eighteenth century.

Answer 1

Answer: No, it is false. Mughal empire started to decline in the eighteenth century.

• After the Battle of Plassey in 1757, the British power started increasing in India.
• The British did not use direct military methods to gain control, rather they used a variety of approaches like diplomacy, economy and politics to increase their influence over the Indian kingdoms before annexing them.
• The East India Company was appointed as the Diwan of the provinces in Bengal in 1765 by the Mughal emperor.
• As a result, vast resources of Bengal were utilised by the Company.
• From the early 18th century, the East India Company trade with India started expanding.
• Britain did not have goods to sell in India, hence most of the goods had to be purchased from India using silver and gold imported from Britain.
• Once British East India company took the power of Diwani after the Battle of Plassey, the outflow of silver and gold from Britain slowed down.
• Now the East India company started meeting its expenses from the revenues it earned from India.
• As the East India company was given the Diwani, it helped them to maintain its offices, forts, buildings, company troops, and was able to purchase silk textiles and cotton in India.