Causes of Decline: The Mughal Empire | SSC CGL Tier 2 - Study Material, Online Tests, Previous Year PDF Download

The decline of the Mughal Empire marked the end of a significant era in South Asian history, characterised by its vast territorial reach and cultural achievements. Understanding this decline was crucial as it paved the way for the rise of regional powers and, ultimately, the establishment of British colonial rule in India. This article aims to provide a detailed study of the various factors that contributed to the fall of the Mughal Empire.

The Mughal Empire, a prominent and influential power in South Asia from the early 16th to the 18th century, was characterised by its rich cultural heritage, architectural achievements, and complex administrative structures. Notable examples include:

• The Taj Mahal
• Founded by Babur in 1526 after his victory at the Battle of Panipat
• Expanded under rulers such as Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb

At its zenith, the Mughal Empire stretched across much of the Indian subcontinent, blending Persian, Indian, and Islamic influences. The decline began in the late 17th century, leading to the establishment of British rule by the mid-18th century.

Factors Behind the Decline of the Mughal Empire

The decline of the Mughal Empire can be attributed to various factors, including the legacy of Aurangzeb, weak successors, military weaknesses, and financial crises.

Aurangzeb's Role

• Aurangzeb expanded the Mughal Empire to its greatest size, but this vast expansion made it difficult to govern effectively.
• After his reign, Aurangzeb's successors were weak and struggled to manage the enormous territory, exacerbated by poor communication.
• Aurangzeb's religious policies alienated many groups, leading to revolts from the Sikhs, Jats, and Bundelas.
• His harsh treatment of the Rajputs and aggressive campaigns against the Deccani states and Marathas drained the Empire's resources.

Weak Successors and Nobles

• The Mughal Empire required strong leadership, but Aurangzeb's successors were more interested in luxury than governance.
• This neglect led to uprisings and allowed regional powers, particularly the Marathas, to strengthen their influence.
• Foreign invasions further weakened the Empire and depleted its resources.
• Nobles, mirroring their rulers, either lived extravagantly or established independent states.
• They became embroiled in succession disputes, forming factions that hindered unity during foreign invasions.

Military Weaknesses

• The Mughal army was organised on a feudal basis, with soldiers loyal to their mansabdars rather than the Emperor.
• This loyalty issue worsened in the later period of the Empire.
• The military was disorganised, lacked discipline, and failed to keep pace with European advancements in weaponry.
• Military leaders frequently changed allegiances, and financial difficulties led to soldiers going unpaid.
• A fragmented military with minimal loyalty was ineffective in defending the Empire.

Financial Crisis

• Aurangzeb's campaigns in the Deccan drained the treasury and disrupted trade.
• Continuous warfare devastated crops, resulting in a demoralised peasantry who abandoned farming.
• This decline worsened revenue collection as local powers gained independence.
• The condition of the Empire continued to deteriorate under the later Mughal rulers.

Rise of the Marathas

• The Marathas played a crucial role in the downfall of the Mughal Empire.
• The Peshwas envisioned a Hindu Empire, believing it could only be achieved after the Mughal Empire's decline.
• The Marathas' ambitions were facilitated by the Mughal Empire's inability to unite Hindus and Muslims.
• Some Indian chiefs perceived Mughal rulers as foreign oppressors and adversaries of Hinduism.

Invasions of Nadir Shah and Ahmed Shah Abdali

• The invasions by Nadir Shah and Ahmed Shah Abdali revealed the military weaknesses of the Mughal Empire.
• These invasions also resulted in the plundering of the Empire's financial resources.

European Companies

• The progressive West posed a challenge to the medieval nature of the Mughal Empire.
• In the competition among civilizations, European powers gained an upper hand over Indian states.

Effects of Mughal Rule on Society

The effects of Mughal Rule on Indian Society are as follows:

Political Effects of Mughal Rule

• The Mughals built upon the political unification of India that the Turks had started.
• Their governance, while primarily impacting northern India, also extended its influence to other parts of the country.
• The Mughal administration set up various institutions, including the Diwan-i-ala.
• For more than 200 years, the Mughals effectively safeguarded India's northwest borders from foreign invasions, with breaches becoming more common only in the later period of Mughal rule.
• During the height of the Mughal Empire, European trading companies found it challenging to achieve their territorial ambitions.
• A significant political weakness of the Mughals was their inability to establish a robust naval power.
• This deficiency allowed European companies to gain maritime dominance, paving the way for their political control.
• With the exception of Aurangzeb's reign, the Mughal government was predominantly secular, promoting harmony and tolerance throughout the country.

Social Effects of Mughal Rule

• The secular nature of state affairs under the Mughals fostered social harmony.
• Although Mughal rule initially had a negative impact on women's status, such as the increase in purdah practices, there were periods, particularly under Akbar, when women's rights saw improvements.
• The rise of the nobility during this time contributed to greater social inequality among different classes.
• Despite the challenges posed by Islam, the caste system continued to persist.
• Mughal Emperors, especially Akbar, were patrons of the Sufi movement, promoting mutual harmony and understanding.
• Emperors like Akbar endeavoured to modernise education by introducing secular subjects.
• However, Akbar's educational reforms faced opposition from orthodox factions within society.
• Much of the historical narrative produced during the Mughal era focuses on the lives of kings and nobles, making it difficult to gauge the impact on ordinary people.

Economic Effects of Mughal Rule

• The Indian economy under the Mughals remained feudal in nature, resulting in economic inequalities.
• The conditions for peasants had the potential to improve significantly.
• The introduction of a well-minted silver-based currency and the enhancement of roads and sarais facilitated trade and handicrafts.
• However, due to weaknesses in naval capabilities, Indians could not fully capitalise on international trade opportunities.

Cultural Impact of Mughal Rule

• The Mughal Empire had features of a cultural state because the Mughal Emperors supported art, architecture, and scholars.
• The Mughals constructed impressive forts, palaces, gates, public buildings, mosques, and inns.
• The architecture during this time is well-known for using red sandstone and white marble.
• Important architectural styles included the char-bagh layout and pietra dura, which were key contributions of the Mughals.
• The Mughals greatly influenced painting, particularly under the reign of Jahangir, who made significant advancements in portrait painting.
• Mughal paintings also had an impact on regional art styles such as Rajasthani and Pahadi.
• The Mughal Emperors also supported learned individuals and intellectuals.
• For instance, Akbar provided support to Abul Fazl, a notable scholar.
• There were major advancements in music during the Mughal period.
• Akbar, for example, supported Tansen from Gwalior, who created many ragas.
• Although Aurangzeb prohibited singing in his court, he did not ban the use of musical instruments.
• The reign of Muhammad Shah (1719-48) is particularly recognized for the growth of music.

Conclusion

• The decline of the Mughal Empire illustrates the risks posed by internal divisions and external dangers, demonstrating that even mighty empires can fall.
• The fall of the Mughal Empire transformed India’s political landscape, paving the way for colonial rule to establish itself.
• The empire's rich heritage of culture and governance serves as a reminder of its achievements and the lessons learned from this significant period in history.