5.7 Decline of the Mughal Empire (Post-1707 CE)

• After Aurangzeb's death (1707 CE), the empire entered rapid political decline due to:
  • Weak/incompetent successors ("Later Mughals") — frequent wars of succession, short and unstable reigns (e.g., Bahadur Shah I, Jahandar Shah, Farrukhsiyar, Muhammad Shah "Rangeela").
  • Rise of powerful regional/provincial kingdoms asserting virtual independence while nominally acknowledging Mughal suzerainty — Bengal (under Murshid Quli Khan and successors), Awadh (under Saadat Khan/Burhan-ul-Mulk), Hyderabad (under Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah I) — the so-called "Successor States."
  • Financial crisis: Continuous warfare (especially Aurangzeb's Deccan wars), an overburdened Jagirdari system ("Jagirdari crisis" — more claimants than available Jagir land), and administrative corruption weakened central finances.
  • Invasion of Nadir Shah of Persia (1739 CE): Defeated Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah at the Battle of Karnal; sacked Delhi, massacred thousands, and looted immense wealth including the Peacock Throne and the Kohinoor diamond — a devastating blow to Mughal prestige and treasury.
  • Invasions of Ahmad Shah Abdali (Durrani) of Afghanistan — multiple invasions from 1748 CE onward, further weakening Delhi and culminating in the Third Battle of Panipat (1761 CE) (against the Marathas — beyond this note's 1757 cut-off but relevant context for decline).
  • Rise of regional powers — Marathas, Sikhs, Jats, Rohillas (Part 6) — progressively carved out independent/autonomous territories from a weakening Mughal centre.
  • By the mid-18th century, Mughal authority was largely nominal, confined to Delhi and its immediate surroundings — famously described as the empire shrinking to "Az Dilli ta Palam" (from Delhi to Palam).

Key Facts / Quick Revision Points — Decline of Mughals

• Nadir Shah's invasion (1739) — Battle of Karnal; looted Peacock Throne & Kohinoor.
• Ahmad Shah Abdali's invasions (from 1748) — set the stage for Third Battle of Panipat (1761, against Marathas).
• Successor states: Bengal, Awadh, Hyderabad (Nizam) — nominal Mughal loyalty, actual autonomy.
• Jagirdari crisis and continuous Deccan wars = major financial/administrative causes of decline.

PART 6: RISE OF REGIONAL POWERS (17th–18th Century)