Later Mughal Empire (1707–1857)

1. Decline of the Mughal Empire

• Aurangzeb’s Death (1707): Marked the beginning of the empire's decline.
  • Aurangzeb's policies, such as the enforcement of jizya and religious intolerance, alienated many groups.
  • Extended empire to its largest geographical extent but at the cost of weakening administration.
• Weak Successors:
  • After Aurangzeb, a series of weak rulers (e.g., Bahadur Shah I, Jahandar Shah, Farrukhsiyar) failed to maintain centralized control.
  • Frequent court intrigues, assassinations, and power struggles among nobles and military commanders.

Mughal Rulers Post-Aurangzeb (Key Features)
Bahadur Shah I (1707–1712)
Jahandar Shah (1712–1713)
Farrukhsiyar (1713–1719)

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2. Role of the Sayyid Brothers

• Known as the "Kingmakers", they played a significant role in controlling the Mughal throne.
• Manipulated rulers for their benefit but faced opposition from other nobles.
• Their assassination in 1724 marked a decline in the central authority of the Mughals.

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3. Invasions and Fragmentation

• Nadir Shah’s Invasion (1739):
  • Looted Delhi; famous for taking the Peacock Throne and the Koh-i-Noor diamond.
  • Exposed the empire’s vulnerability.
• Ahmad Shah Abdali/Durrani (1747–1761):
  • Repeated invasions weakened Mughal authority further.
  • Third Battle of Panipat (1761): A major defeat for Indian forces under Marathas against Abdali.

Key Invasions Impact
Nadir Shah (1739)
Abdali (1761)

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4. Emergence of Regional States

• Mughal authority became nominal as regional states gained autonomy.
  • Awadh (1722): Established by Saadat Khan, with Lucknow as the capital.
  • Hyderabad (1724): Founded by Nizam-ul-Mulk.
  • Bengal (1717): Murshid Quli Khan became the de facto ruler.
• Decline led to the rise of powerful regional powers like the Marathas, Rajputs, and Sikhs.

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5. Mughal Emperors and the Loss of Power

• Muhammad Shah (1719–1748):

  • Known as Muhammad Shah Rangila due to his indulgence in luxuries.
  • His reign witnessed the decline of the Mughal Empire's prestige.
  • Failed to check the invasions of Nadir Shah and the growing influence of regional powers.

• Ahmed Shah (1748–1754):

  • Incompetent ruler; control further eroded during his reign.
  • Marathas and Rohillas dominated Delhi politics.

• Shah Alam II (1759–1806):

  • Sought protection from the Marathas after being ousted by Afghan invaders.
  • Lost Bihar, Bengal, and Orissa to the British after the Battle of Buxar (1764).
  • Signed the Treaty of Allahabad (1765), becoming a pensioner of the British.

Important Mughal Rulers (Post-Aurangzeb) and Their Contributions
Muhammad Shah (1719–1748)
Ahmed Shah (1748–1754)
Shah Alam II (1759–1806)

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6. Influence of the British and Other Powers

• Battle of Plassey (1757):
  • Marked the beginning of British dominance in Bengal under Robert Clive.
• Battle of Buxar (1764):
  • British defeated the combined forces of the Nawab of Bengal, Nawab of Awadh, and Shah Alam II.
  • Established the British East India Company as a major political power in India.
• Subsidiary Alliance (1798):
  • Introduced by Lord Wellesley to control Indian states.
  • Mughals became increasingly irrelevant in administrative and military matters.

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7. The Role of Regional Powers in the Decline

• Marathas:

  • Emerged as the strongest power challenging Mughal supremacy.
  • Expanded control over large parts of central and northern India.
  • Defeated Mughals in several battles and even controlled Delhi temporarily.

• Sikhs:

  • Under leaders like Maharaja Ranjit Singh, created a strong empire in Punjab.
  • Maintained independence from both Mughals and British until annexation in 1849.

• Jats:

  • Established control over areas like Bharatpur and Agra, weakening Mughal influence further.

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8. The Final Phase: Bahadur Shah II (1837–1857)

• Known as Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal emperor.
• Served as a symbolic leader during the Revolt of 1857:
  • Declared the leader of the rebellion but lacked real power or resources.
  • After the British suppressed the revolt, he was captured, tried, and exiled to Rangoon (Myanmar).

Revolt of 1857 and Bahadur Shah Zafar
Role
British Response
Exile

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9. Key Factors in the Decline

Factor	Description
Weak Leadership	Incompetent rulers after Aurangzeb.
Internal Conflicts	Nobility’s power struggles and corruption eroded central authority.
Regional Fragmentation	Emergence of regional states reduced Mughal influence.
Foreign Invasions	Devastating invasions by Nadir Shah and Ahmad Shah Abdali.
Economic Exploitation	Continuous wars and mismanagement led to a financial crisis.
Rise of European Powers	British East India Company’s growing influence and military dominance.

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10. The British Takeover of Mughal Territories

• Gradual Expansion of British Rule:

  • The British East India Company began consolidating power post Battle of Buxar (1764).
  • By exploiting the Mughal emperor’s weakened position, the British established control over Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa.

• Doctrine of Lapse:

  • Introduced by Lord Dalhousie (1848–1856).
  • Annexed Indian princely states if the ruler died without a direct heir.
  • States like Jhansi, Satara, and Nagpur were annexed under this policy, further reducing the Mughal sphere of influence.

• Delhi as a British Administrative Center:

  • In 1803, the British captured Delhi after defeating the Marathas in the Second Anglo-Maratha War.
  • The Mughal emperor was retained as a titular head but held no real power.

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11. Revolt of 1857 and the End of the Mughal Empire

• Background of the Revolt:

  • Widespread resentment against British policies, including land revenue systems, social reforms, and military practices.
  • The sepoys saw Bahadur Shah Zafar as a unifying symbol of resistance against the British.

• Role of Bahadur Shah Zafar:

  • Proclaimed the leader of the revolt, though his involvement was mostly ceremonial.
  • The rebellion was eventually crushed by the British due to:
    • Lack of coordination among rebels.
    • Superior British military and resources.

• End of the Mughal Dynasty:

  • After suppressing the revolt, the British formally ended the Mughal Empire.
  • Bahadur Shah Zafar was exiled to Rangoon in 1858, where he lived the rest of his life.

Key Dates of the Revolt of 1857
May 10, 1857
September 1857
June 1858

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12. Cultural and Administrative Decline

• Cultural Contribution:

  • Despite political decline, Mughal art, architecture, and culture continued to flourish during the early 18th century.
  • Patronage of Urdu poetry, music, and painting persisted under rulers like Muhammad Shah Rangila.

• Loss of Administrative Control:

  • Revenue systems became ineffective as nobles took control of provinces.
  • Corruption and inefficiency in the centralized administration further weakened governance.

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13. Legacy of the Later Mughals

• Symbol of Indian Unity:

  • The Mughal dynasty, despite its decline, remained a symbol of Indian cultural and political heritage.
  • The association of Bahadur Shah Zafar with the Revolt of 1857 reflects the dynasty’s lasting emotional and symbolic significance.

• Influence on Modern Indian Society:

  • Many traditions and administrative systems of the Mughal era influenced later governance structures.
  • Examples include the revenue systems and architectural practices.

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Later Mughal Empire (Key Highlights)

Aspect	Description
Decline Phase	Began after Aurangzeb’s death in 1707.
Regional Powers	Emerged as the Mughals lost control (e.g., Marathas, Sikhs, Jats, Rajputs).
British Dominance	Solidified after victories in Battle of Plassey (1757) and Buxar (1764).
Final Blow	Revolt of 1857 and exile of Bahadur Shah Zafar marked the end of the empire.
Legacy	Symbolic significance and cultural contributions continue to influence India.

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