The Mughal Empire collapsed apart in the 1750s, and the Successor States arose in its place. Until 1707, the Mughals had direct control over practically all of India. After Aurangzeb's death in 1707 CE, the Mughal Empire began to fall apart quickly. This year is usually used to distinguish the reign of the Great Mughals from the reign of the smaller Mughals, commonly known as the Later Mughals. This article will explain to you about the Decline of Mughal Empire which will be helpful in Modern Indian History preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.

Mughal Empire

• The Mughal Empire, sometimes known as the Mogul Empire, was a South Asian early modern empire.
• The empire spanned two centuries, from the western outskirts of the Indus basin, northern Afghanistan in the northwest, and Kashmir in the north, to the highlands of modern-day Assam and Bangladesh in the east, and the Deccan plateau uplands in south India.
• Babur founded the Mughal empire in 1526 after defeating Ibrahim Lodi in the first battle of Panipat.
• Thus started a new age and empire in India, which lasted over three centuries, from 1526 to 1857.
• The "Great Mughals," Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb, were six prominent rulers of this dynasty who made their mark on Indian history.
• The Mughal courts grew even wealthier as the European presence in the Indian Ocean grew, as did the demand for Indian raw and finished goods.
• The Mughal aristocracy engaged in more ostentatious expenditure, resulting in increased sponsorship of painting, literary forms, textiles, and architecture, particularly during Shah Jahan's rule.
• After Aurangzeb's death in 1707, the empire began to crumble.

Challenges before the Mughals

• In the absence of internal strength, the Mughals were unable to mount a strong defence against external threats, which included multiple invasions from the north-west.
• The northern frontiers were disregarded by the later Mughals, and little effort was invested to preserve them.
• The Persian ruler Nadir Shah invaded India in 1738–39, conquering Lahore and defeating the Mughal army at Karnal on February 13, 1739.
• Muhammad Shah was later apprehended, and Delhi was plundered and destroyed.
• Apart from the Peacock Throne and the Kohinoor diamond, an estimated seventy crore rupees were gathered from the government treasury and the safes of the wealthy nobility.
• Nadir Shah took control of the strategically crucial Mughal area west of the Indus, including Kabul.
• As a result, India became exposed to assaults from the north-west once more.
• Between 1748 and 1767, Ahmad Shah Abdali (or Ahmad Shah Durrani), who was elected as Nadir Shah's successor following the latter's death in 1747, invaded India many times.
• He relentlessly pursued the Mughals, who attempted to purchase peace in 1751–52 by giving Punjab to him. In 1757, Abdali seized Delhi and left an Afghan caretaker to keep an eye on the Mughal emperor.
• Before his return, Abdali had recognised Alamgir II as Mughal emperor and the Rohilla commander, Najib-ud-Daula, as the empire's Mir Bakhshi.

Later Mughals

• The era from 1707 CE and 1761 CE saw the return of regional identities and revealed a sad state of affairs for the once-mighty Mughals.
• The Mughal court became a hotbed of feuds amongst nobility.
• In c. 1739 CE, Nadir Shah imprisoned the Mughal Emperor and ravaged Delhi, exposing the empire's fragility.
• Aurangzeb was the Mughal Empire's final great monarch.
• Later Mughals were the Mughal rulers who succeeded him.
• Despite the fact that the Mughals were still the undisputed rulers of the region, their influence was diminishing, especially following the death of Aurangazeb.

Bahadur shah (ruled 1707–12)

• At the age of 63, Muazzam ascended the throne and acquired the title of Bahadur Shah.
• He had a liberal approach toward the nobles, granting them their preferred domains and promoting them.
• As a result, the state's finances have deteriorated. The true authority, according to legend, was held by the wazir, Zulfiqar Khan.
• He was accommodating of Hindus, however he never eliminated the jizya tax.
• The independence of Marwar was recognised during his rule.
• The settlement, however, was unable to return these nations to their former status as completely devoted combatants for the Mughal cause.
• He had a half-hearted reconciliation programme with the Marathas as well. He didn't see Shahu (whom he freed) as the legitimate Maratha monarch.
• He gave Maratha the Deccan sardeshmukhi, but not the Chauth, and hence could not completely please them.
• As a result, the Marathas continued to battle one other as well as the Mughals.
• In his war against the Sikhs, he was assisted by Jat chief Charuman and Bundella chief Chattrasal.
• Guru Gobind Singh, the eleventh Sikh Guru, was given high mansab.
• He did, however, have to deal with Banda Bahadur's insurrection, and it was during his war against Banda Bahadur that he died (in c. 1712 CE).
• Mughal historians such as Khafi Khan gave him the title "Shah-i-Bekhabar."

Jahandar Shah (ruled 1712–13)

• Following Bahadur Shah's death, a new type of politics evolved in the Mughals' political arena, in which nobles were 'king makers,' and monarchs were only 'puppets' in their hands.
• Jahandar Shah was Mughal India's first puppet king. Zulfiqar Khan (wazir), who had the executive reins in his hands, backed him up.
• Zulfiqar Khan developed cordial relationships with the Marathas, Rajputs, and various Hindu chieftains.
• He abolished jizya and bestowed the titles of "Maharaja'' and "Mirza Raja Sawai" on Ajit Singh (Marwar) and Jai Singh of Amber, respectively.
• Shahu was also given the Deccan Chauth and Sardeshmukhi by him. However, Banda Bahadur and the Sikhs were subjected to the same oppressive policies as before.
• Zulfiqar also attempted to improve the empire's financial status by scrutinising rash jagir and office allocations. He also required mansabdars to maintain the official army quota.
• However, he is remembered for instituting the heinous practice of Ijarah (revenue farming).
• The court was ruled by Jahandar Shah's favourite woman, Lal Kanwar (a dancing girl).

Farruk Siyar (ruled 1713–1719)

• In 1713 CE, Farrukh Siyar defeated his brother Jahandar Shah in Agra.
• With the help of the Sayyid brothers (kingmakers) - Saiyyad Abdullah Khan (Wazir) and Hussain Ali Khan (Mir Bakshi) – he came to the throne .
• The Sayyid brothers assassinated Zulfiqar Khan and ascended to positions of power.
• The Sayyid brothers attempted to make peace with the Marathas, Jats, and Rajputs, as well as crushing the Sikh rebellion. Banda Bahadur, the Sikh leader, was assassinated during this period.
• Farrukh Siyar granted the East India Company several commercial rights and waived customs charges for its trade via Bengal in 1717 CE.
• Jizya was abolished altogether by the Sayyid brothers, as was pilgrimage tax in a number of areas.
• Farukh Siyar and the Sayyid brothers drifted apart as a result of the Sayyid brothers' overwhelming authority. The emperor planned against the brothers three times but was unable to defeat them.
• The Sayyid brothers formed an alliance with Balaji Vishwanath (the Maratha emperor) in 1719 CE, and with the support of Maratha forces, assassinated Farrukh Siyar.

Rafi-us-Darajat (ruled 1719)

• Rafi-us-Darajat was crowned by the Sayyid brothers. In fact, the Sayyid brothers elevated three young princes to the throne in less than eight months.
• He died four months later as a result of his excessive drinking.
• Nikusiyar, Aurangzeb's grandson, revolted during his reign and seized the throne of Agra with the help of Mitrasen (a Nagar Brahmin).

Rafi-us-Daula (ruled 1719)

• Nikusiyar was imprisoned at Agra by Hussain Ali Khan (the Saiyyad brother).
• Rafi-us- Shah Jahan II was the title given to Daula.
• He was only in power for a brief time before succumbing to consumption of opium (Tuberculosis).

Muhammad Shah (ruled 1719–48)

• Jahan Shah has a brother who loved to dance and was an accomplished Kathak dancer.
• With the support of Nizam-ul-Mulk, Chin Qilich Khan, and his father's cousin Muhammad Amin Khan, he successfully removed the Saiyyad brothers in 1720.
• Under the title of Itmad-ud-Daula, he named Muhammad Amir Khan, the man who assassinated Hussain Ali Khan, as wazir.
• During his reign, however, autonomous nations emerged: Nizam-ul-Mulk ruled the Deccan, Saadat Khan ruled Awadh, and Murshid Quli Khan ruled Bihar, Bengal, and Orissa.
• In 1739 CE, Nadir Shah invaded India, Battle of Karnal, imprisoned the Mughal emperor, and devastated Delhi, exposing the Mughal empire's fragility.

Ahamad shah (ruled 1748–1754)

• Ahmad Shah was an inept emperor who delegated state matters to Udham Bai, the 'Queen Mother.'
• Udham Bai, given the title Qibla-i-Alam, was a poor-intellectual lady who governed with the assistance of her paramour, Javid Khan (a infamous eunuch).
• Ahmad Shah Abdali (ruler of Afghanistan) repeatedly assaulted Delhi, and Punjab, along with Multan, were given to him.
• Malwa and Bundelkhand were taken over by the Marathas.
• Imad-ul-Mulk, his wazir, blinded him and imprisoned him in Salimgarh.

Alamgir II (ruled 1754–59)

• Alamgir II was Emperor Jahandar Shah's son. In January 1757, the Iranian invader Ahmed Shah Abdali arrived in Delhi.
• In June 1757, under his rule, the Battle of Plassey was fought. Alamgir II was murdered.
• He was Jahandar Shah's second son, and he was elevated to the throne by Imad-ul-Mulk when he toppled Ahmad Shah.
• Ahmad Shah Abdali's recurrent invasions had to be faced. Imad-ul-Mulk, his wazir, also assassinated him.

Shah Jahan III (ruled 1759–60)

• Also known as Muhiul-millat, he ascended to the throne as a consequence of Delhi intrigues, but was ousted later by Maratha interference.
• During his reign, Mughal authority was so diminished that a Persian proverb arose: "Sultanat-e-Shah Alam, Az Dili ta Palam," which means "The kingdom of Shah Alam is from Delhi to Palam," Palam being a Delhi suburb.

Shah Alam II (ruled 1760-1788; 1788-806)

• During his reign, two significant conflicts occurred: the Third Battle of Panipat (1761) and the Battle of Buxar (1762).
• He escaped to Awadh (1761 – 1764 CE) as a result of his struggle with the wazir. When the Marathas re-established their authority over Delhi and welcomed him to the capital, he returned.
• According to the stipulations of the Treaty of Allahabad (August 1765), he was brought under the protection of the East India Company and stayed in Allahabad in 1765.
• He also issued a farman awarding the Company the Diwani (right to collect income) of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa in perpetuity.
• The Marathas transported him to Delhi in 1772, where he remained until 1803. After the defeat of Daulat Rao Scindia by the English in 1803, he embraced the English's protection once more.
• Following it, the Mughal emperor became an English pensioner.

Akbar Shah II (ruled 1806–37)

• Rammohan Roy was given the title of 'Raja' by him.
• During his reign, in 1835, the East India Company stopped referring to itself as a subject of the Mughal emperor and stopped striking coinage in his honour.
• He was a brilliant poet who is credited with establishing the Hindu-Muslim unification festival Phool Walon Ki Sair.

Bahadur Shah II (ruled 1837–57)

• Bahadur Shah II, often known as Bahadur Shah Zafar (his surname was Zafar), was the final Mughal emperor.
• The Revolt of 1857 had failed in its effort to crown him Emperor of India.
• He was apprehended by the English and sent to Rangoon, where he died in 1862.
• The Mughal Empire officially ended on November 1, 1858, with Queen Victoria's pronouncement.

Cause of Decline

Religious Policies of Aurangzeb

• Aurangzeb's religious and Deccan policies contributed to the empire's downfall.
• The endeavour to extend the Mughal government over Golconda, Bijapur, and Karnataka strained the Mughal administration to its limits.
• It also left Mughal lines of communication vulnerable to Maratha raids, making it difficult for Mughal nobility in the area to collect their dues from the jagirs entrusted to them and forcing them to make secret pacts with the Marathas.
• His failure to respect the sensitivities of his non-Muslim subjects on numerous occasions, his enunciation of a policy that resulted in the destruction of many temples and the re-imposition of jizya.
• This alienated the Hindus and strengthened the hands of those who were opposed to the Mughal Empire for political or other reasons, alienated the Hindus and strengthened the hands of those who were opposed to the Mughal Empire for political or other reasons.
• Aurangzeb's successors were weak and unable to properly retain the administration.

Influence of Nobles

• The majority of them were pawns in the hands of strong nobility. The succession struggle that afflicted Delhi from 1707 to 1719 CE eventually damaged the empire.
• Following Aurangzeb's death, the nobles took a great deal of authority, and the path of politics and governmental activity was led by their own interests.
• The Turanis, Iranis, Afghans, and Indian-born Muslims comprised the Mughal court's four aristocratic groups.
• These factions were continuously fighting for more power, jagirs, and high posts, which finally contributed to the empire's demise.
• The formation of several autonomous nations reduced tax resources, and the ongoing battles further impoverished the treasury.

Ineffective army

• In addition, the foreign invasions of Nadir Shah and Ahmad Shah Abdali were costly to the royal budget.
• After losing multiple wars, the Mughal army progressively grew ineffective and unmotivated.
• The Mughals' disregard of naval power also paid them dearly.
• The entry of British and other European colonial powers in India was the final nail in the coffin of the Mughal empire's chances of survival.
• Western colonial powers were militarily and financially superior, as well as politically aware of Indian realities.

Rise of Regional Aspirations

• Regional groups like the Jats, Sikhs, and Marathas revolted under Aurangzeb's rule.
• They challenged the Mughal state's authority in order to establish their own kingdoms.
• They did not succeed, but they had an impact on the future course of political events in their respective regions.
• Their constant fight for political dominance against the later mughals, damaged the empire significantly.
• By seeking to control the Rajputs, Aurangzeb, and later Bahadur Shah I, incited them to fight the Mughals.
• Later Mughals attempted to pursue a policy of reconciliation with the Rajputs, but it was too late: the Rajputs no longer trusted the Mughals enough to cooperate with them for the sake of the empire.
• The Marathas were also proving to be a tough foe.
• Their goal was first restricted to reclaiming control of the Maharashtra area, but it quickly expanded to encompass obtaining legal permission from the Mughal emperor to collect sardeshmukhi and chauth across India.
• They pushed northward and, by 1740, had established control over the provinces of Gujarat, Malwa, and Bundelkhand.
• The Rajput battle against the empire, as well as the Marathas' rising ambition and might, harmed the Mughal might.

Economic and Administrative Problems

• The number of amirs and their ranks, or mansabs, had grown dramatically over time, and there was little territory remaining to be dispersed among them as jagirs.
• Aurangzeb attempted to alleviate the acute shortage of jagirs or bejagiri by demonstrating increased revenue from the jagirs on record.
• However, this was a short-sighted solution since the amirs attempted to retrieve the reported revenue from their jagirs by putting pressure on the peasantry.
• As a result, both the amirs and the peasants were at odds.
• Then there were the battles, the emperors' and amirs' lavish lives, and the loss in khalisa land, all of which weighed heavily on the state.
• As a result, the state's expenditure much outweighed its revenue.
• Furthermore, there was no big scientific or technical advancement that may have helped a stagnant economy.
• Even when European traders made advances along with coastal India, the once-thriving commerce did not enhance the empire's coffers.
• Following Aurangzeb's death, these economic and administrative issues only grew worse.
• When the emperors were weak and inept, the empire had become too large to be successfully controlled by a centralised administration.

Jagirdari Crisis

• The nobility consisted of those who were either allotted huge jagirs and mansabs or appointed subahdars of Mughal subas and tasked with preserving these.
• Many Rajput kings, subahdars, and mansabdars belonged to this class.
• Mughal reign has been referred to as "the rule of the aristocracy" because nobility played an important part in empire administration.
• Although Akbar had supplied them with a well-knit organisation, there remained division among the nobles based on religion, country, and tribe, and each category created its own group.
• Mutual competition, envy, and power struggles among the numerous parties during the rule of the later Mughals (in the lack of a strong central leadership) not only lowered the emperor's reputation but also led to the empire's demise.

Rise of Regional States

• The states that arose as a result of the Mughal Empire's fall may be divided into three basic categories:
  • Successor States
  • Independent Kingdoms
  • The New States
• Successor States - These were the Mughal provinces that became states after seceding from the empire.
• Though they did not dispute the Mughal ruler's sovereignty, their governors' installation of essentially independent and hereditary power demonstrated the rise of autonomous polity in these provinces. Awadh, Bengal, and Hyderabad are a few instances.
• Independent Kingdoms - These nations arose mostly as a result of the destabilisation of Mughal sovereignty over the provinces, with Mysore and the Rajput states serving as examples.
• The New States - These were the states established by rebels against the Mughal empire, such as the Maratha, Sikh, and Jat states.

Conclusion

After Aurangzeb's death in c. 1707 CE, the Mughal Empire began to fall apart quickly. This year is usually used to distinguish the reign of the Great Mughals from the reign of the smaller Mughals, commonly known as the Later Mughals. Social, economic, political, and institutional issues all had a role in the collapse of the Mughal Empire. By 1813, the British government had stripped the East India Company of its monopolistic authority, and the company began to operate on behalf of the government. The Indian Rebellion took place in 1857, prompting the British colonial administration to exile the last monarch, Bahadur Shah II, and seize control of the Indian subcontinent.

FAQs 

Q1: What were the primary causes of the decline of the Mughal Empire?

Q2: How did Aurangzeb's policies contribute to the empire's downfall?

Q3: What role did regional powers play in the decline of the Mughal Empire?

Q4: How did the invasion of Nadir Shah impact the Mughal Empire?

Q5: What was the impact of the decline on Indian politics?

MCQs

1. Who was the last effective Mughal ruler?

A) Jahangir

B) Aurangzeb

C) Shah Jahan

D) Bahadur Shah Zafar

2. Which regional power played a major role in weakening Mughal control?

A) Rajputs

B) Marathas

C) Sikhs

D) All of the above

3. When did Nadir Shah invade India?

A) 1707

B) 1720

C) 1739

D) 1761

4. What was the significance of the Treaty of Allahabad (1765)?

A) It ended the Maratha-Mughal conflict.

B) It marked the beginning of British control over Bengal.

C) It restored Mughal authority in Delhi.

D) It secured Mughal alliances with Rajputs.

5. Which event symbolized the official end of the Mughal Empire?

A) Aurangzeb’s death

B) The 1857 Revolt

C) Nadir Shah’s invasion

D) Treaty of Allahabad

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1. Evaluate the internal factors responsible for the decline of the Mughal Empire.

Answer: The decline of the Mughal Empire was significantly influenced by internal factors. Weak successors after Aurangzeb were unable to maintain the empire’s stability. Administrative inefficiency, corruption, and a lack of competent leadership further weakened the empire. Additionally, the burden of excessive taxation and religious intolerance alienated important groups, including the Rajputs and the Jats. The prolonged wars in the Deccan drained the imperial treasury, leaving the empire vulnerable to rebellions. Factionalism within the nobility and succession disputes among Mughal princes led to political instability. As central authority weakened, provincial governors and regional leaders began asserting independence, reducing the Mughal hold over India. These internal weaknesses provided opportunities for external powers like the Marathas and the British to rise.

Q2. Analyze the impact of external invasions on the decline of the Mughal Empire.

Answer: The Mughal Empire suffered greatly from external invasions, which accelerated its decline. Nadir Shah’s invasion in 1739 devastated the empire financially, as immense wealth was looted from Delhi. This invasion exposed the empire’s vulnerability, inspiring future aggressions from regional and foreign powers. Ahmad Shah Abdali’s invasions further destabilized the Mughal authority, especially after the Third Battle of Panipat (1761), where Abdali defeated the Marathas, leading to chaos in northern India. These invasions not only weakened the Mughal military but also eroded public confidence in the empire’s ability to defend its territories. As the empire crumbled, regional powers and the British began consolidating control over different parts of India.

Q3. Discuss how the decline of the Mughal Empire facilitated the rise of British power in India.

Answer: The decline of the Mughal Empire created a political vacuum, paving the way for the British to establish their dominance in India. With the weakening of central authority, regional powers like the Marathas, Sikhs, and Nawabs emerged, resulting in political fragmentation. The East India Company exploited this disunity by forging alliances and engaging in warfare with regional rulers. The Treaty of Allahabad (1765) granted the British control over Bengal, which became a crucial economic and administrative base for further expansion. Additionally, the company’s victory in the Battle of Plassey (1757) and the Battle of Buxar (1764) enabled it to consolidate power in eastern India. Over time, the British systematically dismantled remaining Mughal authority, culminating in the exile of Bahadur Shah Zafar after the 1857 Revolt.

Previous Year Questions on  Decline of Mughal Empire

1. UPSC CSE 2017

Question. "The decline of the Mughal Empire paved the way for the rise of regional powers in India." Analyze.

Answer: The decline of the Mughal Empire led to the emergence of several regional powers such as the Marathas, Sikhs, and Nawabs of Bengal, Hyderabad, and Awadh. As the central authority weakened, provincial governors asserted independence and created autonomous states. These regional powers filled the political vacuum left by the crumbling empire. However, the rise of these powers also fragmented India, making it vulnerable to external threats. The rivalry among these states and their lack of coordination made it easier for the British to expand their influence. The British adopted a policy of divide-and-rule, forming alliances with some regional rulers while defeating others. Thus, the decline of the Mughal Empire not only gave rise to regional powers but also facilitated the British conquest of India.

2. UPSC CSE 2018

Question. "Assess the role of Aurangzeb’s policies in the disintegration of the Mughal Empire."

Answer: Aurangzeb’s reign is often regarded as a turning point in the decline of the Mughal Empire. His religious policies, including the reimposition of the jizya tax on non-Muslims, alienated Hindu communities like the Rajputs and Marathas. This led to rebellions and strained relationships with previously loyal allies.
Aurangzeb’s prolonged military campaigns in the Deccan further drained the empire’s resources, weakening the central administration. His inability to effectively delegate power resulted in administrative inefficiency and corruption. The empire became overstretched, making it difficult to maintain control over distant provinces. The internal instability and financial crisis caused by his policies provided an opportunity for regional leaders to assert independence. After Aurangzeb’s death, weak successors struggled to keep the empire intact, accelerating the process of decline and disintegration.