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Decline of the Mughal Empire

Posted on March 5, 2025 by Enlite Team

When does it begin?

  • The decline of the Mughal empire began with the death of Mughal emperor Aurangazeb (1707) leading to the war of succession and Bahadur Shah coming to power.

Later Mughal Rulers

Ruler Features
Bahadur Shah (1707 – 12)
  • Adopted a policy of pacifism with Rajputs, Marathas, and Jats.
  • Release of Maratha leader Sahu.
  • Granted sardeshmukhi to Marathas but not Chauth.
  • Continuation of jizya.
  • War with Sikh leader Banda Bahadur at Battle of Lohgarh.
  • Balaji Vishwanath (1713-20) was his contemporary.
  • Worsening financial conditions of the Mughals.
Jahandar Shah (1712 – 13)
  • Noble Zulfiqar Khan (the first kingmaker) ruled by making Jahandar Shah a puppet.
  • Abolished jizya.
  • Granted both Sardeshmukhi and Chauth.
  • Introduced ijaradari system of revenue farming.
Farrukhsiyar (1713 – 19)
  • Rise of Sayyid brothers (king makers).
  • Followed the policy of religious tolerance.
  • Issued firman to the British East India Company for free trade leading to the Battle of Plassey and Buxar.
Muhammad Shah (Rangeela) (1719 – 48)
  • Death of Sayyid brothers.
  • The invasion of Nadir Shah led to the Battle of Karnal leading to the plunder of Kohinoor and the peacock throne.
  • Series of Invasions by Ahmad Shah Abdali.
  • The policy of religious tolerance and abolishing of jizya.
  • The rise of regional kingdoms like
  • Hyderabad – By Nizam ul Mulk
  • Awadh – By Saadat Khan
  • Bengal – Murshid Quli Khan
Ahmad Shah Bahadur (1748 – 54)
  • Invasion of Delhi and Punjab by Nadir Shah.
Alamgir II (1754 – 58)
  • Battle of Plassey (1757)
Shah Alam II (1759 – 1803)
  • Third Battle of Panipat (1761) – Marathas (fought for Mughals) against Ahmed Shah Abdali who was supported by Awadh, Rohillas and Afghans of Doab.
  • Battle of Buxar (1764) – Between combined forces of Mughals, Awadh, Bengal and English.
  • 1765 – Shah Alam II signed the Treaty of Allahabad
  • 1803 – Shah Alam II signed a subsidiary alliance.
Akbar II (1806 – 37)
  • Gave the title “Raja” to Rammohan Roy.
Bahadur Shah (1837 – 57)
  • Last Mughal ruler and part of the 1857 revolt.Causes for the downfall of the MughalsCauses for the downfall of the Mughals

Causes for the Downfall of the Mughals

  • Weak Rulers
  • Intolerant policy by Aurangazeb towards Maratha, Rajputs, Jats.
  • Shifting allegiance of zamindars
  • The jagirdaris crisis led to a fall in revenue.
  • Economic and administrative problems.
  • Ineffective army and neglected navy.
  • Rise of regional kingdoms
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