Decline of Mughal Empire

By Mujtaba Aamir
 Birth of Dynasty
Babur’s Unchallenged Establishment
 Babur or Zahir-ud-din Muhammad was from a Ruling
family of central Asia, particularly Turkmenistan. He
was keen to expand his empire and so in 1526, he
invaded Delhi and challenged the Sultan, Ibrahim Lodi
at the First Battle of Panipat. After winning the battle
and securing victories against other local Chiefs and
Rulers of Northern India, he established the
unchallenged Rule over Northern India. And so he
established The Mughal Empire.
 The Era of Instability
Humayun's Rule
 Babur could only harvest the fruit of his victory against
the Delhi Sultanate for long for 4 years and died. After his
death empire was in the hands of Humayun, his son.
 Humayun was not only challenged by a Afghan ruler
named, Sher Shah Suri but also his own siblings who
were looking forward for the throne. At one point in
history, Sher Shah Suri took control of Humayun's
Empire however after a struggle Humayun regained the
throne. His rule was with no achievements or major
turning points as he only lost and conquered the lands that
his father left him.
 The Golden times
Akbar sits on Throne
 Undoubtedly the golden time of the Empire was
during Akbar’s Reign. Being only 13 years old when
he succeeded the throne, Akbar was interested in
Sufi beliefs, and in 1581 announced his own
religion, Din-e-illahi (a mixture of all religions), this
religion did not take roots died out after Akbar’s
death.
 After his 50 year reign, he died in 1605, leaving
behind a strong foundation for future rulers to
expand and rule over new lands.
 The Era of Stability
Jahangir and Shah Jahan pass time
 Jahangir is considered to be a just ruler, who didn’t
expand but Administrate the land already left by
Akbar. He was the one who signed a treaty with East
India company in 1615.
 His Son Khurram took the throne under the name,
Shah Jahan, he also didn’t have some major military
achievements however he launched unsuccessful
campaigns against Uzbeks. One achievement that he
had that he defeated Portuguese who tried to convert
Muslims girls to Christianity.
The End
Starts
Aurangzeb's Rule
 Aurangzeb Himself
 Aurangzeb was the third son of Shah Jehan and
excelled his elder brother Dara Shikok in
competence and character. He was a fearless
soldier, skillful general and diplomat.
Aurangzeb was known for his devotion to
Islam.
 He was interested in expansion rather that then
the family’s interests of Administration going
on for more than 2 generations.
 Aurangzeb struggles to sit on throne
 In 1657, Shah Jahan fell on death bed, leaving 4 sons, all
of whom were governors of important provinces of India,
had huge armies and wanted to be the next King. Two of
the sons, even struck coins in there names, Murad and
Shah Shuja. However its is said that Shah Jahan's
preferred choice was another son, Dara Shikoh but he
could not (later) succeed in securing victory against
Aurangzeb as Aurangzeb had shook hands with his
brother Murad whom he betrayed after they won against
the imperial army led by Shah Jahan and Dara Shikoh
 Reasons of Decline:
 As soon as he ascended the throne, he started the introduction
of reforms which made his dominion a truly Islamic state, and
which pleased the orthodox Muslims.
 He appointed censors of public morals in all-important cities to
enforce Islamic laws and to put down un-Islamic practices
such as drinking, gambling and prostitution.
 Forbade cultivation of “bhang” throughout the country.
 In A.D. 1664 forbade Sati, the Hindu custom.
 Imposed high taxes on farmers.
 Abolished inland transport duty on goods etc.
 Reasons of Decline:
 In 1668, he forbade music at the court with exemption of
Royal band.
 Pensioned off state mushaikhs and singers.
 In course of time, festivities held on emperor’s birthday were
abolished and Mansabdars
 Mansabdars were forbidden to present gifts to the emperor.
 He demolished many Hindu temples, as he wanted Islam to
spread far and wide.
 Absence of proper Administration led to corrupt departments
 Reasons of Decline:
 The size of the Empire was huge. The decisions made, used to
take long to be implemented leading into a chaotic situation in
the emergency area.
 Luxurious living made rulers lazy and negligent of their duties.
 Rulers were busy in expanding the empire, so they got little
time in consolidating their hold in all
 The Mughal armies were very huge and difficult to discipline
and maintain.
 Foreign Invasions took place.
 Foreign Invasions
 In 1738, Persians invaded Mughal Empire’s prestigious
capital, Delhi. Persian forces were led by Nadir Shah
and they met face to face with the Mughal’s army led
by Muhammad Shah himself at the battle of Karnal in
1739. After winning the battle, Nadir Shah who had
came not to rule India but to robe India came to Delhi
and gathered as much booty as possible taking with
him, the peacock throne. Having a major effect to the
already falling economy of Mughals and also it showed
the rebel’s that empire was weakened.
 Foreign Invasions
 Similarly in 1747, a Afghan general Ahmad
Shah Durrani or Ahmad Shah Abdali attacked
Peshawar, Punjab even adding Multan and
Lahore to his conquest. Further he was the one
who stopped Maratha’s expansion in the 3 rd
battle of Panipat. This conquest showed how
weakened the once globally recognized Empire
had become.