Part of: Miscellaneous Indian Gk set 144

Which Mughal emperor granted farman to trade in Bengal, Bihar and Orissa and which year?

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Hint: Consider the timeline of Mughal emperors and their interactions with European traders.

Correct Answer: A) Farrukhsiyar in 1717.

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, Bank PO, Civil Services

Difficulty: Easy

Explanations:

The Mughal Empire, which ruled much of the Indian subcontinent from the 16th to the 19th century, had a significant impact on the economic and political landscape of the region. One of the key events in the history of the Mughal Empire and its interactions with European powers was the issuance of a farman (royal decree) by the Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar in 1717. This farman granted the British East India Company significant trading rights in the regions of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa.

Farrukhsiyar, who ruled from 1713 to 1719, was the Mughal emperor at the time of this farman. The farman was a crucial document that allowed the British East India Company to establish a strong foothold in these regions, which were rich in resources and had a thriving economy. The farman granted the company the right to trade freely, exempted them from paying customs duties, and allowed them to establish factories and warehouses in these regions.

The issuance of this farman was a significant moment in the history of British trade in India. It marked the beginning of the British East India Company's expansion in the region and laid the groundwork for their eventual control over large parts of the Indian subcontinent. The farman was a result of the political and economic dynamics of the time, where the Mughal Empire was facing internal challenges and external pressures, and the British East India Company was seeking to expand its influence and trade.

Understanding the context of this farman is essential for comprehending the broader historical narrative of the Mughal Empire and the rise of British colonialism in India. The farman issued by Farrukhsiyar in 1717 was a pivotal event that had long-lasting implications for the economic and political landscape of the region.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: This option is correct. Farrukhsiyar, the Mughal emperor, granted a farman to the British East India Company in 1717, allowing them to trade in Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa. This farman was a significant event in the history of British trade in India.
  • Option B: This option is incorrect. Aurangzeb was a Mughal emperor, but he did not grant the farman in 1717. Aurangzeb ruled from 1658 to 1707, and the farman was issued after his reign.
  • Option C: This option is incorrect. Badadur Shah Zafar was the last Mughal emperor, ruling from 1837 to 1857. The farman in question was issued much earlier, in 1717, by Farrukhsiyar.
  • Option D: This option is incorrect. The correct answer is provided in Option A, as Farrukhsiyar did indeed grant the farman in 1717.

Mnemonic: Farrukhsiyar Farman: F for Farman, F for Farrukhsiyar

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