Mains Practice Questions

Introduction

The decline of the Mughal Empire has often been attributed to Aurangzeb’s policies, particularly his religious orthodoxy and prolonged military campaigns.

• While Aurangzeb’s reign certainly contributed to the empire’s weakening, several structural, economic, and external factors also played a crucial role in its eventual disintegration.

Body

Aurangzeb’s Policies Leading to the Decline of Mughal Empire

• Religious Intolerance and Alienation of Allies
  • Aurangzeb reversed the religious tolerance policies of Akbar, leading to discontent among Hindus and Sikhs.
  • He re-imposed the jizya tax on non-Muslims, destroyed temples, and forced conversions, which alienated Rajputs, Marathas, Jats, and Sikhs.
• Deccan Policy and Military Overstretch
  • Aurangzeb’s aggressive expansion in the Deccan led to the annexation of Bijapur and Golconda, which previously acted as buffer states against the Marathas.
    • His 25-year-long war against the Marathas (1680–1707) drained the Mughal treasury, weakened the central administration, and led to an overextension of resources.
• Weakening of the Mughal Nobility and Mansabdari System
  • Aurangzeb’s strict control over the nobility created resentment, and factionalism increased.
  • The Jagirdari crisis emerged as there was a shortage of fertile lands to be granted as jagirs, leading to discontent among nobles and weakening military effectiveness.

Other Factors Contributing to Mughal Decline:

• Weak Successors and War of Succession
  • After Aurangzeb’s death (1707), the empire suffered from repeated wars of succession among his weak and inefficient successors.
    • Nobles and regional governors took advantage of this instability to assert their independence.
• Degeneration of the Mughal Nobility
  • The nobility became corrupt, luxurious, and inefficient, prioritizing personal pleasures over governance.
    • Political factionalism among Turanis, Persians, Afghans, and Hindustanis weakened the central authority.
• Decline of the Mughal Army
  • The Mughal army became undisciplined and disloyal due to:
    • The mansabdari system’s inefficiency, where soldiers owed loyalty to their immediate commanders rather than the emperor.
    • Frequent betrayals and treachery, where nobles often corresponded with the enemy for personal gain.
• Economic Crisis and Agrarian Decline
  • High taxation and revenue demands caused peasant revolts and economic distress.
    • The decline in trade and commerce due to European competition and disruption of trade routes weakened the economy further.
• Foreign Invasions and External Pressures
  • Nadir Shah’s invasion (1739) and Ahmad Shah Abdali’s repeated invasions in the mid-18th century severely weakened the empire, exposing its military weaknesses.
    • The Third Battle of Panipat (1761) marked the final nail in the Mughal coffin, as the empire lost its military supremacy to the Marathas.

Conclusion

The Mughal Empire’s decline was a result of Aurangzeb’s policies, administrative failures, economic crises, and relentless external invasions. A weakened center and rising regional powers sealed its fate, leading to its eventual disintegration.