The Mauryan empire declined on account of the following reasons:
(i) Incapable Inheritors: After Asoka, the reign went in the hands of rulers like Dasrath, Samprati and Brahdrath. All these rulers were incompetent.
(ii) Vast Empire: The Mauryan empire had witnessed a phenomenal expansion during the reign of Asoka. However those who inherited his legacy proved to be very weak rulers. They failed to rule it properly.
(iii) Lack of Law of Succession: There was no specific law of succession in the Mauryan dynasty. So as and when a ruler died, the princes started fighting against each other to get the way to throne. The Mauryan power became very weak due to such civil wars.
(iv) Internal Incohesion: After the death of Asoka, there was an internal rebellion in the empire. Many provincial governors had declared themselves as independent. Consequently the Mauryan empire started crumbling.
(v) Lack of Money: Money is very important in the governance of a state. But Asoka spent generously in preaching and spreading Buddhism. He also spent a lot on public welfare activities. As a result, there was no money in the royal treasury. It loosened the grip on the administration. The subsequent rulers failed to nip the rebellion because of lack of money in the treasury.

 I. Akbar : Many people considered Jalaluddin Akbar (1556-1605) the greatest of all the Mughal emperors, for he not only expanded but also consolidated his empire, making it the largest, strongest and richest kingdom of his time.

II. Territorial Conquests of Akbar:
1. Victory over Delhi and Agra : Akbar defeated Hemu, the minister of Adil Shah in the Battle of Panipat in 1556 A. D. On recapturing Delhi and Agra, the foundation stone of the Mughal Empire was laid again since the same had been dug out.
2 . Victories over Gwalior, Jaunpur and Ajmer : Akbar merged Gwalior, Jaunpur and Ajmer in his empire during 1556-60 A. D.
3. Victory over Malwa : Akbar defeated Baz Bahadur, the ruler of Malwa in 1562 A. D. Akbar got puffed up when he accepted his suzerainty.
4. Victory over Gondwana : Quern Durgawati was ruling over Gondwana as patron of her minor son. A steady battle took place between the Rajput soldiers and the Mughals. Both the queen and her son got killed in the battle. Hence Gondwana fell in the hands of the Mughals.
5. Victory over Chittor : Udai Singh, the arrogant ruler of Mewar did not accept his suzerainty. Hence, Akbar himself led the army and conquered Chittor, the capital of Mewar.

LIST OF MAPS

Book 1

1. P-2. Mature Harappan sites: Harappa, Banawali, Kalibangan, Balakot, Rakhigarhi, Dholavira, Nageshwar, Lothal, Mohenjodaro, Chanhudaro, Kot Diji.
2. P-30. Mahajanapada and cities : Vajji, Magadha, Kosala, Kuru, Panchala, Gandhara, Avanti, Rajgir, Ujjain, Taxila, Varanasi.
3. P-33. Distribution of Ashokan inscriptions:
   1. Kushanas, Shakas, Satavahanas, Vakatakas, Guptas
   2. Cities/towns: Mathura, Kannauj, Puhar, Braghukachchha
   3. Pillar inscriptions – Sanchi, Topra, Meerut Pillar and Kaushambi.
   4. Kingdom of Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas.
4. P-43. Important kingdoms and towns:
   1. Kushanas, Shakas, Satavahanas, Vakatakas, Guptas
   2. Cities/towns: Mathura, Kanauj, Puhar, Braghukachchha, Shravasti, Rajgir, Vaishali, Varanasi, Vidisha
5. P-95. Major Buddhist Sites: Nagarjunakonda, Sanchi, Amaravati, Lumbini, Nasik, Bharhut, BodhGaya, Shravasti

Book 2

1. P-174. Bidar, Golconda, Bijapur, Vijayanagar, Chandragiri, Kanchipuram, Mysore, Thanjavur, Kolar, Tirunelveli, Quilon
2. P-214. Territories under Babur, Akbar and Aurangzeb: Delhi, Agra, Panipat, Amber, Ajmer, Lahore, Goa.279

Book 3

1. P-297. Territories/cities under British Control in 1857:
   Punjab, Sindh, Bombay, Madras Fort St. David, Masulipatam, Berar, Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, Avadh, Surat, Calcutta, Daccan, Chitagong, Patna, Benaras, Allahabad and Lucknow.
2. P-305. Main centres of the Revolt of 1857:
   Delhi, Meerut, Jhansi, Lucknow, Kanpur, Azamgarh, Calcutta, Benaras, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Agra, Avadh.
3. P-305. Important centres of the National Movement:
   Champaran, Kheda, Ahmedabad, Benaras, Amritsar, Chauri Chaura, Lahore, Bardoli, Dandi, Bombay (Quit India Resolution), Karachi

Akbar was a great and able ruler. He laid special emphasis on land revenue system. For this purpose he followed the policy initiated by Sher Shah Suri. But this policy had certain defects in it. That’s why Akbar began works from the start. Main features of his land revenue system are given below:
(i) Following policy initiated by Sher Shah : In the beginning, Akbar followed the policy of land revenue initiated by Sher Shah. During the reign of Sher Shah, average value was determined by measuring agricultural land. It was determined on the average production of produce. Later on Akbar felt that it needed a lot of time to fix market price. It was also a cause of worry for peasants. That’s why Akbar again started policy of yearly assumption.
(a) Zabti System : This policy was the creation of Raja Todar Mal. Under this system of revenue, tax was fixed by measuring the land. This system was implemented in Gujarat, Lahore, Malwa, Allahabad etc.
(b) Ten Years System : This system was a developed form of Zabti system. According to this, average of last ten years of production of crops and their value was taken out. One third of that average produce was taken as revenue. This revenue could have been taken in the form of cash or produce.
(c) Batai or Galla Bakshi System: In this system whole of the total produce was divided in the definite proportion among peasant and the state. Honest officials were required for the success of this system.
(d) Nasak or Kankut System : Record of agriculture tax was kept in this system.
(ii) Measurement of Land : During the reign of Akbar, land was measured with a proper method. With this state the peasant came to know about how much they will have to pay and how much revenue will be collected for the state.
(iii) Keeping in mind the fertility of the soil : Fertility of the soil was always kept in mind while determining land revenue. That land was called as ‘Polaj’ which was cultivated every year and that land was called as ‘Parauti’ which was not cultivated every year. All in all tax was fixed on the basis of the fertility and the produce.
 

The Indus Valley civilisation is also known as the Harappan civilisation because the first site of the archaeological remains of the Indus Valley civilisation was found at the modern site of Harappa, West Punjab, Pakistan.