Fall of Mughal Empire.
The Mughal Empire began to weaken during the reign of Aurangzeb. Although Aurangzeb expanded the empire to a few, territorial extents, but his reign marked the beginning of its decline of Mughal empire.
There were several factors that contributed to the weakening of the Mughal Empire during his rule:
1. Religious policies: Aurangzeb pursued a policy of religious intolerance, particularly towards the hindu & sikh population of India. He imposed strict Islamic laws on them, demolished several hindu temples, and heavily taxed non-muslims.
This led to discontent among the majority hindu population.
2. Economic strain: The constant wars and territorial expansion during Aurangzeb’s reign put a significant strain on mughal empire’s resources. The cost of maintaining a vast empire and funding several military campaigns led to financial difficulties.
3. Rebellions and regional independence: The prolonged wars and harsh policies of Aurangzeb led to several rebellions across the empire. Various regional powers and governors sought independence from the central authority, weakening the empire’s overall control on adjoining regions.
4. Administrative inefficiency: It became increasingly difficult to administer regions adjoining delhi. Corruption and inefficiency within the administration had further weakened the central authority.
5. Marathas, Rajputs, Jats and Sikh resistance: Marathas, Rajputs, Jats and Sikh, emerged as formidable opponents and effectively challenged mughal authority in different regions. The rise of these regional powers further contributed to the disintegration of the empire.
6. Succession disputes: After Aurangzeb’s death in 1707, the empire witnessed a series of succession wars among his sons, leading to instability and weakening of central authority.
Consequently, there was further decline especially during the reign of
Muhammad Shah, also known as Roshan Akhtar, who ruled the Mughal Empire from 1719 to 1748. His reign was marked by a lack of strong leadership, poor governance, and a decline in the empire’s authority. Several factors contributed to his perceived weakness. Muhammad Shah surrounded himself with corrupt and incompetent ministers and officials, who prioritised their personal interests over the welfare of the empire. The empire faced significant financial challenges during his reign, primarily due to extravagant expenditures, court luxuries, and lack of fiscal discipline. This led to economic instability and increased taxation burdens on the common people.
Muhammad Shah’s reign saw a decline in the military strength and effectiveness of the Mughal Empire. The armed forces were poorly equipped and lacked proper training, making it difficult to defend the empire’s borders and suppress internal revolts. The Marathas and the Persians took advantage of the weakened Mughal Empire and launched invasions, further diminishing the empire’s territorial control. In 1739, the powerful Persian ruler, Nadir Shah, invaded the Mughal Empire, leading to the sacking of Delhi and the plundering of its riches. This invasion severely weakened the Mughal Empire’s prestige and authority.
From 1760 to 1860, the Mughal Empire witnessed a significant decline in its political power and territorial control. During this period, the empire faced numerous challenges from both internal and external forces, leading to the fragmentation of its authority. Here are the Mughal emperors who ruled during this time:
1. Shah Alam II (1759-1806): Shah Alam II was the Mughal emperor during the latter half of the 18th century. His reign faced secery challenges, including the invasion of Delhi by the Marathas and later by Ahmad Shah Durrani of Afghanistan. He became a puppet ruler under British suzerainty after the Battle of Buxar in 1764.
Shah Alam II, (ʿAli Gauhar) was born on June 15, 1728, Delhi & died Nov. 10, 1806, at Delhi.
He was a nominal Mughal emperor of India from 1759 to 1806. He was forced to flee Delhi in 1758 by the minister ʿImad al-Mulk, who kept the emperor a virtual prisoner.
2. Akbar Shah II (1806-1837): Akbar Shah II succeeded his father, Shah Alam II, and continued as a titular ruler under British protection. His reign was characterized by British dominance over the Mughal Empire, and he had limited authority over matters of state.
3. Bahadur Shah II (1837-1857): Bahadur Shah Zafar, also known as Bahadur Shah II, was the last Mughal emperor. His reign witnessed the Indian Rebellion of 1857, which sought to overthrow British rule in India. However, the rebellion was ultimately suppressed by the British, and Bahadur Shah II was exiled to Rangoon, where he died in 1862.
It’s important to note that during this period, the Mughal emperors were reduced to symbolic figureheads under the British East India Company’s rule. The real political power lay with the British, who controlled most of the territories and administration in India. The events during this time led to the eventual dissolution of the Mughal Empire as an independent political entity, and India came under direct British colonial rule.
Bahadur Shah Zafar, also known as Bahadur Shah II, was the last Mughal emperor who reigned from 1837 to 1857. He was the son of Akbar Shah II and the great-great-great-grandson of Aurangzeb, the sixth Mughal emperor.
Bahadur Shah Zafar’s reign is a significant and poignant period in Indian history because it coincided with the Indian Rebellion of 1857, also known as the First War of Indian Independence or the Sepoy Mutiny. The rebellion was a widespread uprising against British rule in India.
During the rebellion, Bahadur Shah Zafar became a symbol of resistance and was declared the leader of the revolt by the rebels. However, it is essential to note that his role in the rebellion was largely symbolic, and he did not actively participate in planning or leading military operations.
As the British forces suppressed the rebellion, Bahadur Shah Zafar was captured, and in 1858, he was tried for treason by the British authorities. He was subsequently exiled to Rangoon (present-day Yangon) in Burma (present-day Myanmar), where he spent the rest of his life in captivity.
Bahadur Shah Zafar’s reign marked the end of the Mughal Empire, which had already been weakened and reduced to a symbolic position under the British East India Company’s dominion. With his exile, the direct line of Mughal emperors came to an end.
After his death in 1862, Bahadur Shah Zafar was buried in Rangoon. His legacy as a poet and his association with the Indian Rebellion of 1857 have made him a prominent figure in Indian history and a symbol of the struggle against colonial rule. Mir Jafar (1691-1765) was a prominent figure in Indian history, as he betrayed the empire.
His role in the Battle of Plassey in 1757. This battle was a significant turning point in the history of British rule in India. The British East India Company, under the leadership of Robert Clive, defeated the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-Daulah, with the help of Mir Jafar’s betrayal. Mir Jafar, who was the commander-in-chief of the Nawab’s forces, secretly entered into an alliance with the British and intentionally withheld support during the battle, leading to the defeat of the Nawab’s forces..As a reward for his betrayal, Mir Jafar was installed as the new Nawab of Bengal by the British. However, his rule was marred by corruption and inefficiency, and he soon fell out of favor with the British as well as the people of Bengal..Mir Jafar’s actions at the Battle of Plassey and his subsequent rule as the Nawab of Bengal have been the subject of criticism and controversy. He is often seen as a symbol of betrayal and collaboration with colonial powers by many in India. It is important to note that Mir Jafar is just one figure among many such individuals, who had played significant roles during the period of British colonization in India.
