Who were zamindars?

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2017). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1-4] Landlords/tax collectors.
2. [1-4] Wealthy and influential, some had private armies.
3. [1-4] After death of Aurangzeb they were increasingly unwilling to accept rule of any new emperor or to make payments to government in Delhi.
4. [1-4] Beard tax imposed which annoyed Muslims.
5. [1-4] Muslims were oppressed by zamindars from the 1800's onwards, especially in East Bengal.
6. [5-7] Clive commanded the British army to victory at the battle of Plassey in 1757 and established relations with Mir Jafar.
7. [5-7] The battle increased Clive's reputation and his importance to the East India Company (EIC) because he became the foremost commander of British forces in India.
8. [5-7] The battle was also a success for the EIC because they now controlled the profitable trade in Bengal.
9. [5-7] As a reward for being considered responsible for the EIC amassing immense fortunes, especially in Bengal
10. [5-7] Clive's reputation and importance was further enhanced by his success at the battle of Buxar in 1764 which increased British control of eastern India.
11. [7-10] The absence of a definite line of succession led to in-fighting, instability and the downfall of the Mughal Empire.
12. [7-10] Led to inefficiencies and a lack of interest in the running of the Mughal Empire.
13. [7-10] As the Mughal Empire started to decline it became at risk from invasion.
14. [7-10] After Aurangzeb's death, Mughal emperors were renowned for living an extravagant lifestyle and spending money without considering the effect on the economy of the Empire.
15. [7-10] The Afghans under the leadership of Ahmad Shah Abdali defeated the Marathas at Paniplat. The Afghans had been in control of much of the Empire for some time but were unable to make the most of their victory and returned to Kabul. However they did invade the Empire a number of times during the 18th Century.
16. [7-10] The Persians under Nadir Shah captured much of the Empire's wealth and returned home with gold, jewels and the Peacock throne from Delhi.
17. [7-10] Aurangzeb often showed intolerance to non-Muslims. He introduced a tax on non-Muslims called the Jizya. During Aurangzeb's reign, some Hindu temples were destroyed and some limits were placed on Hindu practices. Taxation was high as because of the costs of military campaigns such as the Deccan Wars and building luxurious palaces. Because of these he became an unpopular ruler.
18. [7-10] Maratha guerrilla fighters defeated a Mughal army in 1737 and took control of Delhi and eastwards towards Bengal. By 1760 they were the most powerful group in India and the Mughals were unable to limit their expansion.
19. [7-10] The British expansion into the subcontinent was rapid, overwhelming the Mughal forces and equipment.