- Weak successors
- Absence of a fixed succession law
- Mansabdari and Jagirdari crises
- Financial exhaustion due to prolonged wars
- Noble factionalism
- Regional and peasant revolts
- Religious and political tensions
- Military stagnation
- Foreign invasions
SMART NOTES FOR UPSC (MID-18TH CENTURY INDIA)
The death of Aurangzeb in 1707 marked the beginning of the rapid decline of the Mughal Empire. Although the empire had reached its maximum territorial extent under Aurangzeb, it was internally weakened by prolonged wars, financial exhaustion, administrative decay, and growing regional discontent. By the mid-18th century, Mughal authority had largely become nominal, and several regional powers emerged across India. This political fragmentation created the conditions that enabled the British East India Company to establish its dominance.
Empire-Centric View (Satish Chandra, Irfan Habib): Attributes decline to structural crises like Jagirdari/Agrarian failure.
Region-Centric View (Muzaffar Alam, C.A. Bayly): Sees the 18th century as a period of regional economic growth and decentralization rather than total dark chaos.
After Aurangzeb, no emperor possessed the political or military ability to maintain the vast empire.
| Emperor | Reign | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Bahadur Shah I | 1707–1712 | Tried reconciliation but failed to restore imperial authority. |
| Jahandar Shah | 1712–1713 | Controlled by nobles. |
| Farrukhsiyar | 1713–1719 | Dependent on the Sayyid Brothers. |
| Muhammad Shah 'Rangeela' | 1719–1748 | Witnessed Nadir Shah's invasion. |
| Ahmad Shah Bahadur | 1748–1754 | Empire weakened further. |
| Shah Alam II | 1759–1806 | Became a pensioner of the British after 1765. |
The Mughals followed no fixed law of succession. Each emperor's death resulted in a civil war among princes.
The Mansabdari System became inefficient because:
Result: Administrative machinery gradually collapsed.
Jagirdars attempted to extract maximum revenue from peasants.
Consequences:
Aurangzeb fought the Deccan Wars (1681–1707) for nearly 27 years — often called the "Deccan Ulcer."
Effects:
Aurangzeb's orthodox policies created resentment among several communities.
Examples:
These policies weakened political integration.
The Mughal military failed to modernize.
Problems:
Meanwhile, European powers developed superior military organization and technology.
Several powerful groups dominated court politics instead of supporting the emperor, competing for power among themselves.
Led by Churaman, later Suraj Mal.
Led by Guru Gobind Singh and Banda Singh Bahadur.
Expanded rapidly after Shivaji.
Resisted Mughal authority in Bundelkhand.
Peasant community that revolted against Mughal officials.
Battle of Karnal (1739): Muhammad Shah was defeated.
Consequences:
Invaded India multiple times between 1748 and 1767.
Most important event — Third Battle of Panipat (1761): Maratha expansion temporarily halted.
As Mughal authority weakened, provincial governors and local rulers became independent. Regional states are classified into three categories.
Mughal provinces that gradually became independent while retaining Mughal administrative practices.
Founder: Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah (1724)
Founder: Saadat Khan Burhan-ul-Mulk (1722)
Later rulers: Safdar Jang, Shuja-ud-Daula, Asaf-ud-Daula
Founder: Murshid Quli Khan
Important rulers: Shuja-ud-Din, Alivardi Khan, Siraj-ud-Daulah
Important rulers: Haider Ali, Tipu Sultan
Founder of modern state: Marthanda Varma
Rise of Sikh Confederacy (Misls), unified later by Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1799).
Founder: Shivaji (1674)
Expansion under: Balaji Vishwanath, Baji Rao I, Balaji Baji Rao
Major houses: Scindia, Holkar, Gaekwad, Bhonsle
Decline: Third Battle of Panipat (1761)
Founder: Churaman | Greatest ruler: Suraj Mal | Capital: Bharatpur
Founder: Ali Muhammad Khan | Population: Afghan settlers (Rohillas)
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1707 | Death of Aurangzeb |
| 1713 | Farrukhsiyar becomes emperor |
| 1722 | Awadh founded |
| 1724 | Hyderabad founded |
| 1739 | Nadir Shah invades India |
| 1741 | Battle of Colachel |
| 1748 | Abdali's first invasion |
| 1757 | Battle of Plassey |
| 1761 | Third Battle of Panipat |
| 1764 | Battle of Buxar |
| 1765 | Diwani granted to the East India Company |
🐦 FINAL REVISION FLOW
Aurangzeb Death (1707) ➔ Jagirdari & Mansabdari Crisis ➔ Weak Successors & Noble Factions ➔ Nadir Shah Sacks Delhi (1739) ➔ Rise of Autonomous States (Hyderabad/Bengal/Awadh) ➔ Independent & Warrior States (Mysore/Marathas/Sikhs) ➔ Panipat III (1761) ➔ Power Vacuum filled by the British (Plassey 1757, Buxar 1764, Diwani 1765).