REASONS FOR THE DECLINE OF THE MUGHAL EMPIRE

 Aurangzeb’s responsibility: Aurangzeb was largely responsible for the downfall of the Mughal Empire. Aurangzeb could not tolerate the non-Muslims. He imposed jaziya and forbade the celebrations of Hindu Festivals. He lost friendship and loyalty with the Rajputs. His execution of the Sikh guru and his enmity with the Marathas forced them to raise forces against him. His excessive obsession with the Deccan destroyed Mughal army, treasure and also affected his health. Aurangzeb could not even tolerate the Shias. He laid too much of stress on simplicity and was against singing, dancing and drinking which were common habits of the Muslim nobles.

Administration: The Empire was huge and difficult to administer. Emperors didn’t know what was happening in their empire. It was why Aurangzeb encouraged mansabdars(detail in upcoming posts).

Military cost: The empire was huge and it had a variety of people and religion in it so there were continues rebellions. The cost to fight them was high like the one against Nadir Shah from Persia.

Succession: When an emperor died there were huge succession disputes and the empire continued to erode.

Decline military expertise: When an empire is in power for long time it leads the army expertise decline until it was not effective fighting force. When the decline is obvious discontent groups in an empire were quick to act.

Pleasure Seeking: Due to the wealth Mughals had they betrayed the principles of Islam and they became extravagant.

Weak Control: As the influence of nobles grew they became powerful at court and then the emperor was unable to control them.

Arrival of British: EIC tried to take wanted to take advantage by the wealth gained by them in India. Behind them was a powerful country England. Gradually, the started interfering with Indian politics, gradually the established a British Empire in India which lasted for about 200 years. The weaknesses of mughals and strengths of British leaded to the fall of empire.

Moral Degradation of Soldiers: The Mughal soldiers had wealth and luxury, which made them lazy, corrupt and inefficient. They were pleasure-giving and easygoing. Often they were also disloyal. They sometimes fought only for money and easily got succumbed to bribes.

Rise of New Powers: New Powers such as the Sikhs, the Jhats and the Marathas came onto the scene. They broke off from the Mughal domination and established their independent states.