DOWNFALL OF MUGHAL EMPIRE-CAUSES

DOWNFALL OF MUGHAL EMPIRE

Q       'Aurangzeb's successors failed to live up to his courageous and

determined personality.' Was this the most important reason for the decline of the Mughal Empire? Give reasons for your answer. [14-N.03-N.01]

Q       Were the weak and greedy characteristics of Aurangzeb's

successors the most important reasons for the collapse of the Mughal Empire? Explain your answer.                                [14-N.05]   

Q       'The coming of the British was the main reason for the decline of

the Mughal Empire'. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer.                                                                         [14-J.07]

Q       ‘The spread of Maratha power was the main reason for the

decline of the Mughal Empire.’ Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer.                                                                [14.J.11]

This is a detailed answer dealing with the downfall of Mughals. Students should choose any three reasons according to the need of the exam.

Aurangzeb’s powerful, determined and brave personality kept the Mughals united and strong. He had a vast experience of fighting in north-west frontier and south India. He was very disciplined, religious and far away from luxuries and un-Islamic practices. He was determined brave and active throughout his life. His descendants lacked these qualities. Succession wars made the situation even worse. Auranzebs three sons fought with each other and became greedy. They did not listen to the advice of Aurangzeb who had divided the Empire into three of his sons. The sons of Muazzam also fought with each other. Only within ten years of Aurangzeb’s death, more than twelve people were claiming as kings. These wars made Mughals financially bankrupt and they lost their prestige.

Weak administration was another cause of the decline. Until the death of Aurangzeb, the Mughals possessed the largest territory in the history of India. The descendants of Aurangzeb could not control such a vast Empire. Gradually, the nobles and local leaders became powerful. The rebellions broke out and the tax income to the government almost stopped. The large and important provinces like Bengal and Oudh became independent of Mughal authority by 1720. Mughals lost their authority, power, wealth and above all their prestige.

Invasions on Delhi also made the Mughals weak. Marathas were the major opponents of Mughals. They were from central and south India. Auranzeb fought with them but could not control them. Until 1750, they had become a major threat for the Mughals. However, Marathas were defeated in 1761 in the battle of Panipat and powerless Mughals got some more time to rule India. Besides Marathas, two more invasions took place from Afghanistan and Persia. In 1738, Persian General nadir shah invaded Delhi and looted their wealth. Between 1747 and 1769, Afghan General Ahmed Shah invaded India ten times. Even in Punjab, Sikhs were also a major threat for the Mughals. All these invasions made the Mughals virtually bankrupt and they lost their power completely. 

Strength of the British became another reason of the downfall. Until 1750, The East India Company did not involve in active politics and concentrated on making more wealth and more power. They defeated their European rivals, the French in 1752. Their major occupation was in 1757 of Bengal Within hundred years, the entire India was in their control. The British were organized and disciplined. They had national spirit. Due to industrial revolution, they were producing best weapons in large quantity. EIC was supported by the rich British Government. The British understood the weaknesses of Indians. They bribed them and played the game of diplomacy. On the other hand, Mughals were lacking these qualities and they could not resist the British.

Due to unlimited power and wealth, the Mughals had become lazy and pleasure seeking. They used to spend huge amounts on their clothes, food, jewellery and other spendings. They broke the Islamic principles of simple life and involved in immoral activities. The Mughals thought that they were invincible. They fought with the outdated weapons and old war techniques. Due to this, they had to suffer in their wars against Marathas, Nadir Shah, Ahmed Shah and the British. The power and wealth made the nobility so strong that they went out of the control of the Emperor. They stopped giving income to the Emperor. The attacks of Marathas, Nadir Shah and Ahmed Shah made the Mughals virtually bankrupt.

Evaluation

The weak and greedy characteristics and luxurious life of Mughals seem to be the most important reason of the down fall of Mughals. This is because in-fighting between the princes is common in dynasties. The coming of the British is also not a genuine reason because the British were a weak minority. It was the Indian nobility who betrayed their own people. Mughals had become luxurious and they had no realization of the enemies around them. Luxuries had also made them lazy and they were not strong and active. They did not pay attention to improve their weapons and war techniques. Any strong enemy could defeat them easily. They were greedy because instead of creating unity among themselves, they fought with each other which disunited them and made them financially and morally bankrupt.