Who was Robert Clive?

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2015). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [4] Reward each correct statement with 1 mark. 2 marks can be awarded for a developed statement. Candidates might refer to:
2. Became a general in EIC armed forces in India, defeated the French, Plassey 1757 showed qualities as a soldier and leader by defeating Nawab of Bengal. Made Governor of Bengal and enabled British supremacy there, increased power of merchants and established Oudh as a buffer state between Bengal and the Marathas. Introduced a number of reforms – dual system government, civil reforms, abolition of private trade system, Society of Trade, military reforms etc. Made Lord Clive, accused ‘plundering India' but found not guilty. Became addicted to opium and in 1773 committed suicide
3. LEVEL 1: Simplistic statement [1]
4. He was well known
5. LEVEL 2: Identifies reasons [2-4]
6. He wanted to stop the Muslim decline
7. LEVEL 3: Explains reasons [5-7]
8. Muslims had deteriorated into being a helpless and disorganised group of people and if they were to regain their power then strong leadership was required. He believed they were ignorant about Islam and the teachings of the Holy Quran. Therefore an emphasis on Quranic teachings would not only improve their knowledge but produce a feeling of solidarity. He also believed that Muslims' knowledge of Islam was difficult to gain and so he felt that by translating the Holy Quran into Persian would enable more people read it. Books written influenced the revival of Islam (examples).
9. LEVEL 1: Simplistic statement. [1-2]
10. They were too strong
11. LEVEL 2: Description /identification of reasons [3-6]
12. Aurangzeb's successors had a decadent lifestyle and the invaders were able to defeat the Mughal soldiers
13. LEVEL 3: Explains the invasions of the Persians and Afghans OR other reasons [7-10]
14. LEVEL 4: Explains the invasions of the Persians and Afghans AND other reasons [9-13]
15. There were a number of reasons for the Empire's decline. As the Empire started to decline; it found itself at risk from invasion. The Afghans under the leadership of Ahmad Shah Abdali defeated the Marathas at Panipat. They had been in control of much of the Empire for some time. The Afghans however were unable to make the most of their victory and returned to Kabul. However they were able to invade the Empire a number of times during the 18th Century. The Persians under Nadir Shah captured much of the Empire's wealth and returned home with gold, jewels and the Peacock throne from Delhi.
16. LEVEL 5: As Level 4 – also produces a judgement or evaluation. [14]
17. However there were other reasons for the decline. Auranzeb had an intolerant attitude to non-Muslims. He introduced a tax on non-Muslims called the Jizya. He destroyed Hindu temples and tried to ban Hindu practices. Taxation was high as he had to pay for the cost of military campaigns such as the Deccan Wars and he spent highly on luxurious palaces. Because of these he became an unpopular rule.
18. After his death Mughal Emperors were renowned for living an extravagant lifestyle and spending money with little thought to the effect it had on the economy of the Empire. This led to inefficiencies and a lack of interest in the running of the Empire. The absence of a definite line of succession led to a significant amount of in-fighting amongst his successors which, also led to instability and the downfall of the Empire. The Marathas were skilful Hindu guerrilla fighters who defeated a Mughal army in 1737 and took control of Delhi and eastwards towards Bengal. By 1760 they were the most powerful people in India and nothing could the Mughals do to stop it. The British expansion into the sub-continent was rapid and their forces and equipment was no match for the Mughals who fell into rapid decline as a result.