
Decline of the Mughals
Decline of the Mughals
The period of the Great Mughals, which began in 1526 with Babur’s accession to the throne, ended with the death of Aurangzeb in 1707. Aurangzeb’s death marked the end of an era in Indian history. When Aurangzeb died, the empire of the Mughals was the largest in India. Yet, within about fifty years of his death, the Mughal Empire disintegrated.
Aurangzeb’s death was followed by a war of succession among his three sons. It ended in the victory of the eldest brother, Prince Muazzam. The sixty five-year-old prince ascended the throne under the name of Bahadur Shah. Further the tactics followed by the later mughals led to the decline of Mughal Empire.
Bahadur Shah (1707 A.D.-1712 A.D.):
Bahadur Shah followed a policy of compromise and conciliation and tried to conciliate the Rajputs, the Marathas, the Bundelas, the Jats and the Sikhs. During his reign the Marathas and the Sikhs became more powerful. He had also to face revolt from the Sikhs. Bahadur Shah died in 1712.
Wars of Succession, which had been a regular feature among the Mughals, had become more acute after the death of Bahadur Shah. This was specially so because the nobles had become very powerful. Different factions of nobles supported rival claimants to the throne in order to occupy high posts.
Jahandar Shah (1712 A.D.-1713 A.D.):
Jahandar Shah who succeeded Bahadur Shah was weak and incompetent. He was controlled by nobles and could manage to rule only for one year.
In the war of succession, Jahandar Shah's three brothers, namely Azim-ush-shan, Rafi-ush-Shah, and Jahan Shah lost their lives. Jithandar Shah's success was due to the efforts of Zulfiqar Khan, son of Asad Khan, who, as the new emperor's minister, became supreme in the state. The new reign, says the historian Khafi Khan, "was a fine time for minstrels and singers and all the tribes of dancers and actors". Utterly depraved in his morals, Jahandar Shah was dominated by his mistress Lal Kunwar.
Farukshiyar (1713 A.D.-1719 A.D.):
Farukshiyar made way for British East India Company to increase their hold in the country. He gave the Magna Carta in 1717 to the Britishers. This was the first biggest success of British East India Company. The Royal Farman included:
- The Company was permitted to carry on trade in Bengal, Bombay and Madras free of customs duty.
- The Company was also permitted to mint its own coins.
- The Nawab of Bengal, however, showed scant regard for the imperial Farman.
- Granted the Company the freedom to export and import their goods in Bengal without paying taxes.
- Right to issue passes or dastaksfor the movements of such goods.
- The Company servants were also permitted to trade but were not covered by this Farman.
- They were required to pay the same taxes as Indian merchants.
This whole idea of giving Farman to Britishers led to:
- This Farman was a perpetual source of conflict between the Company and the Nawab of Bengal.
- All the Nawabs of Bengal from Murshid Quli Khan to Alivardi Khan had objected to the English interpretation of the Farman of 1717.
- They had compelled the Company to pay lumps sums to their treasury, and firmly suppressed the Misuse of dastaks.
Farukshiyar ascended the throne with the help of the Sayyid brothers who were popularly called the ‘king makers’. He was controlled by the Sayyid brothers who were the real authority behind Mughal power. When he tried to free himself from their control, he was killed by them.
Rafi-ud-darjat (28th Feb.1719– 4th June 1719 AD)
The Sayyid brothers conspired against Farrukhsiyar and strangled him to death on April 28, 1719. This was the first instance of the assassination of Mughal emperor by and amir in the history of Mughal Empire. After the Sayyid brothers Rafi-ud-darjatput on the throne.Rafi-ud-darjat was the shortest reigining Mughal emperor.
The notable event of its period was the revold of Nekusiyar, who was declared emperor by the opponents and place on the thron of Agara. Nekusiyar was the son of Akbar II. Rafi-ud-Darjat died of tuberculosis.
Rafi-ud-Daulah (June 6 to Sep 18, 1719)
After the death of Rafi-ud-Darjat, the throne, he ammend the title of Shah Jahan Shani, Shah Jahan II, it was the second shortest reigning Mughal emperor he was an incompetent ruler who had become a toy in hands of Sayyid Brother
Mohammad Shah (1719 A.D.-1748 A.D.):
The Sayyids helped Mohammad Shah, ascend the 18-year-old grandson of Bahadur Shah, to the throne. Taking advantage of the weak rule of Mohammad Shah and the constant rivalry among the various factions of the nobility, some powerful and ambitious nobles established virtually independent states. Hyderabad, Bengal, Awadh and Rohilkhand offered but nominal loyalty to the Mughal Emperor. The Mughal Empire practically broke up.
Mohammad Shah’s long reign of nearly 30 years (1719-1748 A.D.) was the last chance of saving the empire. When his reign began, Mughal prestige among the people was still an important political force. A strong ruler could have saved the dynasty. But Mohammad Shah was not equal to the task. He neglected the affairs of the state and never gave full support to able wazirs.
The condition of India with its incompetent rulers, weak administration and poor military strength attracted foreign invaders. Nadir Shah, the ruler of Persia, attacked Punjab in 1739. Mohammad Shah was easily defeated and imprisoned. Nadir Shah marched towards Delhi. Nadir Shah was a ferocious invader.
He massacred thousands of people in Delhi. Delhi looked deserted for days. Mohammad Shah, however, was reinstated on the throne. Nadir Shah carried with him the Kohinoor diamond and the Peacock throne of Shah Jahan. By plundering a big city like Delhi, he got enormous wealth.
Nadir Shah’s invasion gave a crushing blow to the already tottering Mughal Empire and hastened the process of its disintegration. Mohammad Shah’s kingdom was practically confined to Delhi and its neighborhood. He died in 1748.
Shah Alam II (1759 - 1806):
Mohammad Shah was succeeded by a number of inefficient rulers Ahmad Shah (1748-1754), Alamgir II (1754-1759), Shah Alam II (1759-1806), Akbar II (1806-1837) and Bahadur Shah II (1837-1857). During the rule of Alamgir II, the East India Company fought the Battle of Plassey in 1757 and defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal. They thus got a foothold in Bengal.
In 1761, during the reign of Shah Alam II, Ahmad Shah Abdali, the independent ruler of Afghanistan, invaded India. He conquered Punjab and marched towards Delhi. By this time, the Marathas had extended their influence up to Delhi. Hence a war between the Marathas and Ahmad Shah Abdali was inevitable. Ahmad Shah Abdali’s invasion further weakened the Mughal Empire.
After battle of Panipat, Battle of Buxar was fought between Shah Alam II and British East India Company. The battle is said to be the most important milestone of success for the British East India Company. The Battle was concluded with a treaty, called as Treaty of Allahabad in 1765.
Treaty of Allahabad:
- Granted the East India Company Diwani rights, or the right to collect taxes on behalf of the Emperor from the eastern province of Bengal-Bihar-Orissa.
- In return, the Company paid an annual tribute of twenty-six lakhs while securing for Shah Alam II the districts of Kara and Allahabad.
- A provision of 53 lacs to the company in return for the Nizamat functions of the said provinces.
Mughal rule formally came to an end when Bahadur Shah was deposed and deported to Rangoon by the East India Company (1857).
Bahadur Shah II (1837 - 1857):
As the Indian rebellion of 1857 spread, the Indian regiments seized Delhi and acclaimed Zafar their nominal leader, despite his own reservations. Zafar was viewed as a figure that could unite all Indians, Hindu and Muslim alike, and someone who would be acceptable to the Indian princes as sovereign. Zafar was the least threatening and least ambitious of monarchs and the restoration of the Mughal Empire would presumably be more acceptable as a uniting force to these rulers than the domination of any other Indian kingdom.
War of independence is a more appropriate description, although because the war began with soldiers in the employment of the British, rebelling against their officers, it was called a “mutiny.” Whatever description is preferred, it was a war in which the people of India rebelled against rule by a foreign, colonial power and in allowing his name to be used Shah Bahadur II did so as the legal sovereign of, in theory, a large part of India. Sadly, he then saw what had been a thriving city of culture, and a city at peace, transformed into a bloodbath of death and destruction.
When the victory of the British became certain, Zafar took refuge at Humayun's Tomb, in an area that was then at the outskirts of Delhi, and hid there. British forces led by Major Hodson surrounded the tomb and compelled his surrender.
Bahadur Shah died in exile on November 7, 1862. He was buried near the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, at the site that later became known as Bahadur Shah Zafar Dargah. Modern India views him as one of its first nationalists, someone who actively opposed British rule in India. In 1959, the All India Bahadur Shah Zafar Academy was founded expressly to spread awareness about his contribution to the first national freedom movement of India.
Causes of decline of Mughals:
- Wars of Succession: The Mughals did not follow any law of succession like the law of primogeniture. Consequently, each time a ruler died, a war of succession between the brothers for the throne started. This weakened the Mughal Empire, especially after Aurangzeb. The nobles, by siding with one contender or the other, increased their own power.
- Aurangzeb’s Policies: Aurangzeb failed to realise that the vast Mughal Empire depended on the willing support of the people. He lost the support of the Rajputs who had contributed greatly to the strength of the Empire. They had acted as pillars of support, but Aurangzeb’s policy turned them to bitter foes. The wars with the Sikhs, the Marathas, the Jats and the Rajputs had drained the resources of the Mughal Empire.
- Weak Successors of Aurangzeb: The successors of Aurangzeb were weak and became victims of the intrigues and conspiracies of the faction-ridden nobles. They were inefficient generals and incapable of suppressing revolts. The absence of a strong ruler, an efficient bureaucracy and a capable army had made the Mughal Empire weak.
- Empty Treasury: Shah Jahan’s zeal for construction had depleted the treasury. Aurangzeb’s long wars in the south had further drained the exchequer.
- Invasions: Foreign invasions sapped the remaining strength of the Mughals and hastened the process of disintegration. The invasions of Nadir Shah and Ahmad Shah Abdali resulted in further drainage of wealth. These invasions shook the very stability of the empire.
- Size of the Empire and Challenge from Regional Powers: The Mughal Empire had become too large to be controlled by any ruler from one centre i.e., Delhi. The Great Mughals were efficient and exercised control over ministers and army, but the later Mughals were poor administrators. As a result, the distant provinces became independent. The rise of independent states led to the disintegration of the Mughal Empire.
- Inefficient Administration: Mughal administration was the best during the rule of Akbar. The administration by the rulers after Aurangzeb was inefficient. During Akbar, mansabdari system was very popular and effective with limited number of Mansabdars. Later the number of Mansabdars grew more than three times. Moreover the Mansabdars were not honest about the collected revenue or the number of troops they maintained for the emperor. Akbar insisted in transfer of the Mansabdars to prevent them from becoming powerful in particular area. But after Akbar Mansabdars were rarely transferred and hence they started to behave like local rulers.
- Weak Military Forces: Artillery arm of the military which was outstanding became outdated compared to other armies.Latest models of guns were developed in other parts of the world but the guns used in the military were outdated. Mughals did not pay much interest to the sea power, and thus the navy was underdeveloped. As Mughals could not estimate the upcoming threat from European trading companies, they never concentrated on the developing Mughal navy.
- No Scientific Development: Mughals had little interest in encouraging scientific discoveries. On the other hand Europeans could reveal great scientific knowledge. The advancement of knowledge had no value for Mughal emperors. Wealthy traders were satisfied just with their wealth and luxury.
- Luxurious life of Mughal Emperors:The habit of Mughal emperors to lead luxurious life consumed lot of income from land and trades. Unlimited access to money enabled the Mughals to live in magnificence and glory. All the rich class competed and compared with each other to lead an elegant life. They used rich clothes, costly jewels with number of courtiers to add enjoyment to life. These things acted as the symbols of high status. This kind of luxury brought about moral decay in the society of eighteenth century.
With the decline of the Mughal Empire a number of provinces seceded from the empire and several independent states came into existence: Bengal, Awadh, Maratha and Mysore.