Decline of Mughal Empire

Pak.Studies
Causes of the Fall of Mughal Empire
In the 10 years after Aurangzeb’s death 12 different
people claimed to be emperor at one time. The stable
Mughal empire had become weak and divided.
Political Reasons
In reality, the existing means of communication and
the economic and political structure of the country
made it difficult to establish a stable centralized
administration over all parts of the country
Aurangzeb campaign against Marathas. It drained the
resources of Empire
Aurangzeb conflict with the Rajput states
He distrusted the Rajputs and thus deprived himself of
the services of these people whose loyalty had been a
boon to the empire earlier
Religious Causes
Aurangzeb's religious orthodoxy and his policy
towards the Hindu rulers seriously damaged the
stability of the Mughal Empire.
Aurangzeb made an attempt to reverse the secular
policy by imposing the jizyah (tax imposed on non-
Muslim people), destroying many of the Hindu
temples in the north, and putting certain restrictions on
the Hindus.
Both the Hindu and the Muslim nobles, zamindars,
and chiefs ruthlessly oppressed and exploited the
common people irrespective of their religion.
Cont....
Aurangzeb turned against the Shias with as much
bitterness as the Hindus. He not only discriminated
against the Shias in the matter of state employment,
but even tried to put down their teachings, their
schools and religious practices.
The Persian Shias were gifted scholars and
administrators of outstanding quality from among
whom the ancestors of Aurangzeb recruited some of
their ablest administrators. Sadly, Aurangzeb lost the
support of a very efficient professional class. This is
one of the potent causes of the downfall of the Mughal
empire.
 Civil Wars
The wars of succession became extremely fierce and
destructive during the 18th century and resulted in great loss of
life and property. Thousands of trained soldiers and hundreds of
capable military commanders and efficient and tried officials
were killed. Moreover, these civil wars loosened the
administrative fabric of the Empire.
Many nobles lived extravagantly and beyond their means.
Many of them became ease-loving and fond of excessive
luxury.
Many of the emperors neglected even the art of fighting.
Selfishness and lack of devotion to the state and this, in turn,
gave birth to corruption in administration and mutual bickering.
Cont...
During the 18th century, the Mughal army lacked
discipline and fighting morale.
Lack of finance made it difficult to maintain a large
number of army. Its soldiers and officers were not paid
for many months.
Aurangzeb undermined the great empire of his
forefathers not because he lacked character or ability
but because he lacked political, social, and economic
insight. It was not his personality, but his policies that
were out of joint.
Pleasure Seeking
Wealth
Betrayed principles of Islam and enjoyed the pleasure
brought by the wealth .
Nobles had the finest clothes, jewellery and food.
One friend of Akbar is said to have ordered at least
100 courses at each meal.
Fine buildings were the sign of power and culture but
they were too expensive that I showed the sign of
luxury.
 The Arrival of the British
At the time of Jahangir The East India Company (EIC)
tried to take advantage of wealth to be gained by trade in
India.
It was a private trading company but behind it was a very
powerful government.
England had been the first country to experience the
Industrial Revolution.
They were producing cheap manufactures which was sold
through out the country .
With this wealth they created affordable military strength
which Mughals cannot match.