Awadh


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Awadh

Awadh: Awadh was known as the granary of India and was important strategically for the control of the Doab, the fertile plain between the Ganges and the Yamuna rivers. It was a wealthy kingdom, able to maintain its independence against threats from the Marathas, the British and the Afghans.

  •  Around 1722,Burhan-ul-Mulk Sa ‘adat Khan was appointed as the governor of Awadh  by Muhammad Shah to suppres the rebellious Zamindars of Awadhs who refused to pay taxes on time.
  • Sa'adat Khan suppressed the rebellion and reformed the revenue collection system.
  • Awadh was a prosperous region, controlling the rich alluvial Ganga plain and the main trade route between north india and Bengal.
  • Burhan-ul-Mulk combined the subadari, diwani, and the faujdari, and he also reduced the number of officers appointed by the Mughals. This reduced the Mughal influence in Awadh. He reduced the number of jagirs, and maintained accounts of the jagirdars to stop cheating and corruption.
  • He also seized a number of Rajput jagirs and the fertile lands owned by the Afghans of Rohilkhand.The state at that time depended on ijaradars (mahajans or local revenue bankers who were sold rights to collect revenue from the people). This system allowed rich people such as money-lenders and bankers to influence the management of money in the state.
  • Sa'adat Khan sold the right to collect tax to those mahajans who were the highest bidders . They were called the revenue farmers or Ijardars.
  • They would collect taxes and pay the state a fixed sum of money. In turn,they were given considerable freedom in assesment and collection of taxes.
  • This system allowed the money lenders and the bankers to influence the revenue system of the state which was unheard in the past.
  • Sa'adat Khan and his successors ruled Awadh as independent rulers. They developed Lucknowi culture and Lucknow became a center of art and Litreature.
  • A new form of architecture based on the Mughal style developed which can still be seen in Bara Imambara at Lucknow.
  • Sample Questions
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    Question : 1

    Who were the founders of Awadh, Bengal and Hyderabad respectively ?

    Right Option : A
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    Explanation
    Question : 2

    Who founded Awadh?

    Right Option : C
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    Explanation
    Question : 3

    Why were Ijaradars appointed by Nawab in Awadh?

    Right Option : C
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    Explanation
     
     


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