DECLINE OF MUGHALS

Published on 01 Oct 2025

Once a powerful dynasty that ruled almost the entirety of the Indian subcontinent, the Mughal Empire fell from paramountcy to ruin due to several reasons that included internal strife, economic hardship, foreign invasions, religious policy and the expansion of British imperial power. This decline, which began in the late 17th century, eventually led to the empire's demise in the nineteenth century.

Reasons behind the Decline of the Mughal Empire

• Internal Factors:

• Weak successors: The successors of the Aurangazeb were not strong and were pleasure-loving and careless.

• Example: Successors such as Muhammed Shah Rangeela were proved to be the weakest link during the foreign invasions of 1739.

• Wars of succession: The absence of definite rules of succession led to frequent conflicts among princes and caused division among nobles. This created a period of uncertainty which weakened the empire.

• Example: The ascension of Aurangazeb was preceded by the killing of his brother Dara Shikoh, as he was more preferred contender and his father's favourite.

• Weaker Nobility: Reflective of the emperor, the Nobles also became incompetent. The division among the nobility also furthered the demise of the empire. 

• Example: Nobility was divided into 3 factions: Irani, Turani and Hindustani group which led to deceit and inefficiency.

• Political factors:

• Rampant expansion: The rapid expansion of political boundaries under Aurangzeb led to large territory, but it was not supplemented with the efforts to consolidate a firm foothold, making its management difficult.

• Example: The largest territorial extent administered by the Mughals under Aurangazeb disintegrated soon after the death of Aurangazeb in 1707.

• Religious policy: The antagonistic attitude towards other religious practitioners and their poor treatment led to discontent among many.

• Example: Imposition of Jizyah, destroying of temples.

• Poor planning and execution of Deccan policy: The Deccan expedition of Aurangzeb put the empire on financial clout and it also strained the relations with the southern powers such as Golconda and Bijapur.

• Rise of regional powers: The rising influence of regional rulers was a constant threat to the seat of the Mughal Empire.

• Example: Marathas under Shivaji and Peshwas, Bengal under Alivardi Khan.

• Economic factors

• Economic decline: Heavy spending on constructions by Shah Jahan followed by the subsequent war expenses by Aurangazeb led to a huge drain on royal exchequer.

• Example: Aurangzeb’s policy of Jagir and the lack of it 

• Jagirdari crisis: The number of jagir land was insufficient (“Bejagirdari”) for the payment of the growing nobility and his action to overvalue the jagirs led to rampant exploitation of the peasantry and discontent among the nobility

• External factors

• The rising influence of the British: The British after the Carnatic war were rendered virtually opponent-less. This led them to increase their influence in the subcontinent. 

• Example: The loss of the British against the Mughals in Childe’s War, was reversed in 1765 primarily due to the consistent strengthening of their military might.

• Foreign invasions: The invasions focussed on the riches of the land exploiting the weak administration in the centre was a critical weakness that led to the decline.

• Example: Invasions of Nadir Shah (1739) and Ahmad Shah Abdali (1750s) 

• Strategic factors

• Poor technological advancement in Warfare: The Mughal army and artillery were largely inferior to the modern artillery of the European powers.

• Examples: The use of modern bayonets and matchlock pistols was critical for British success.

• Souring of relations with other regional powers: Aurangzeb's policy towards the regional powers was inconsistent and overbearing which resulted in animosity among loyalists and built up discontent towards the Mughal rule.

• Example: The attempt on Shivaji, execution of Sambhaji and later imprisonment of his son Shahu Maharaj created animosity among Marathas.

• Unguarded Frontiers: The lack of focus on the Northwest frontier bordering the Khyber Pass led to minimal resistance to the invasions leaving Delhi wide open

• Example: The invasions of Nader Shah did not face any resistance till the fringe towns of Delhi leading to its tremendous success.

Consequences of Decline of the Mughal Empire

• Political factors 

• Rise of colonial rule: The weakening of the Mughal yoke and the absence of a possible successor to take over the vacuum provided a conducive environment for the European powers to thrive.

• Regional fragmentation: The decline of the Mughals was followed by the assertion of autonomy by the regional powers.

• Example: Marathas, Bengal, Hyderabad.

• Zamindar autonomy: The post-Mughal era saw the rise of Zamindars as virtual rulers who enjoyed Individual sovereignty.

• Social factors: 

• Exploitation of Peasantry: The lack of oversight from the Throne and increased expenditure due to war led to the Zamindars exploiting the peasants for greater remuneration.

• Poor social situation: The repeated wars and the famines all pushed people into abject poverty, low life expectancy and malnutrition.

• Economic factors

• Decline in the share of global trade: The share of India in the world's income was reduced due to the British policy of exploitation that started after the decline of the Mughals.

• Example: The share of India in global income reduced from 23% in 1700 to as low as 3.5% in 1952 

• Economic Drain: The large-scale plunder from the Mughal exchequer led to the drain of wealth. The same practice was done by Nader Shah as well as his successor Ahmad Shah Abdali.

• Example: The enormity of plunder by Nader Shah was so huge, that he made his nation tax-free for three years. The plunder even included the peacock throne and Kohinoor diamond.

• Decline of Artisanal class: The ruin of the Mughals also the loss of patronage to the Artisans such as Painters, Musicians, Builders etc

Rise of Autonomous States (Successor states, Independent states, New states)

The weakening of the Mughal empire was used by the regional powers to assert autonomy and to free themselves from the Mughal yoke. The new powers were:

• Hyderabad: Hyderabad was established by Asaf Jah (aka Chin Qilich Khan).  Asaf Jah, who was the Wazir under the Mughal emperor, Muhammed Shah, was distraught due to the evident incapability of the emperor. This led him to displace emperor appointee Mubariz Khan and to establish a kingdom far south in Hyderabad.

• Awadh: It was established by Saadat Khan and it established itself to be a strong contender.

• Bengal: Established by Murshid Quli Khan as a principality under Mughal suzerainty. He stressed Independence soon after the humiliating defeat of the Mughals at the hands of the Invaders.

• Mysore: The ruling Wodeyars were weakening in the 18th century and this was utilised by Haider Ali to take over the kingdom. Haider Ali was succeeded by his son, Tipu Sultan. 

• Sikhs: The transformation of Sikhs as a militant sect under Guru Gobind Singh was followed by the strengthening of their stronghold in the light of the invasions of Delhi. The apt leadership of Ranjit Singh and his consolidation of the empire made it a strong power.

• Marathas: The rise of Balaji Vishwanath and the subsequent array of competent rulers such as Baji Rao I led to the Marathas being a formidable power. The subsequent loss in the Third Battle of Panipat (1761) and the power struggle led to the waning of power and a string of incompetent administrators.

Tags:
History & Culture

Keywords:
DECLINE OF MUGHALS Mughal Empire Reasons behind the Decline of the Mughal Empire Battle of Panipat Baji Rao I Aurangazeb Chin Qilich Khan Asaf Jah Mubariz Khan Awadh Saadat Khan Murshid Quli Khan Mysore Haider Ali Balaji Vishwanath Aurangzeb Muhammed Shah Rangeela Dara Shikoh Irani Turani Jizyah Marathas under Shivaji Peshwas Jagirdari crisis Bejagirdari Childe’s War Nadir Shah Ahmad Shah Abdali Consequences of Decline of the Mughal Empire Bengal Hyderabad Rise

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 1

Topics:
Modern Indian History