Nature of regional states that rose in the midst of 18th Century in India
Along with the decline of the Mughal empire, the 18th Century witnessed the emergence of regional polities. It signified a decentralization of power and not a power vacuum or political chaos. Broadly there were three kinds of states which came into prominence: the states which broke away from the Mughal empire; the new states set up by the rebels against the Mughal, and the independent states.
Nature of the Regional States:
Successor States: Muhammad Shah’s reign witnessed the establishment of the independent states of Awadh, Bengal, Hyderabad and Punjab. Though they did not challenge the sovereignty of the Mughal ruler, the establishment of virtually independent and hereditary authority by their governors showed the emergence of autonomous polity in these territories.
States Established by the Rebels: Insurgent and rebel states were set up by the Marathas, Sikhs. Jaats and Afghans. There was a continuous struggle among the Mughals, Marathas and Afghans which eventually led to the third battle of Panipat.
Independent Kingdoms: These states came into existence primarily due to the destabilization of the Mughal control over the provinces, examples being Mysore, Kerala and the Rajput states.
Therefore, the major characteristic of eighteenth-century India was the weakening of the centralized Mughal empire and a dispersal of political power across the regions. In other words, it was a transformation of the polity, rather than complete collapse and eventually the considerable amounts of resources, attracted the English and other European traders and triggered off a competition among them for mastery over the subcontinent.