The Decline of the Mughal Empire
1.2: Describe the role of later Mughals in the downfall of the empire;(K,
U)
Explanation
The teacher Talk about how the Mughal Empire ran into trouble at the hands of
not only rivals and rebels but also because of the incompetence of their own
rulers. As a result, they were either killed or became puppets in the hands of their
enemies and opportunists. This gave a chance to Sikhs, Marathas, Rajputs, and
others to seize the day and weaken the empire.
Events happened in 17
th
and 18
th
century influenced the destiny of the
Mughals. The shape of empire had totally changed and by the middle of 19
th
century this glorious rule finally ended.
In 1615 CE Emperor Jahangir gave the British permission to trade with India
and it was actually the stage for the end of Mughal rule in India.
Jahangir’s son Shahjahan had prosperous rule but in the reign of Aurangzeb
cracks had begun to appear.
❖
The Sikh rebellions in Punjab
❖
The Maratha uprising
❖
Tussles for power and constant wars worsened the Mughals
situations
❖
Influential effect of Sayyid brothers
❖
Nadir Shah and Ahmed Shah Abdali invasion
All these factors were the flashpoint of the downfall of the Empire
