Mughal Empire did not see an abrupt end, rather a larger political system replaced it.

Mughal Empire ( Centralisation) -> Regional States (Decentralisation)

Reasons for Decline

1. Aurangzeb’s Policies

• Extending empire despite lack of war resources – men & materials
  • The Empire suffered economically
  • Resulted in loss of prestige and decline of central authority

• Failed Statesmanship
  • Continuous conflict with Marathas unlike Akbar
  • Deccan Campaigns (Bijapur, Golconda, Marathas) ruined trade & industry
  • He could not efficiently assimilate( Deccan) – Marathas, Bedar, Gond and Telugu Warrior chiefs, in a manner Akbar assimilated Rajputs

• Aurangzeb spent the last 25 years of his reign in the Deccan,as a result of which
  • Central Administration was badly hurt
  • North West Frontier was neglected, thus making it vulnerable for Invasions

• He lacked Political, Social and Economic insight
  • Resulted in weak central authority
  • This happened under certain conditions like – weak communication systems , declining economy & uncertain political structure

2. Lack of Control over Bankers

• Independent actions and increasing involvement of Bankers in revenue collections brought bankers into positions of political power and great prestige
• They also extended loans to Dutch and British
• Their alliance with Empire was very important which was now uncertain

3. Conflict with Rajputs

• Resulted in conflict and hatred among Hindu Muslim upper classes
• Aurangzeb followed policies which were against Hindu interests
  • “Jizyah” imposition
  • Destruction of many Hindu temples in North
  • Various restrictions for Hindus

4. Peasant Oppression

• Reasons
  • Feudal oppression by Revenue farmers, Talukdars, Zamindars, Nobles and state
  • Ijarah & Revenue farming
• Results
  • Multiple peasant uprisings – Satnamis, Jats & Sikhs
  • Mostly led by Zamindars, supported by Peasants

5. Inefficient Agriculture

• Agricultural Prodcutivity Declined, hence could not meet the demands of
  • Constant wars
  • Luxury living of ruling class
• Oppressive Jagirdars
  • were frequently transferred
  • hence they had no attachment to estate and tried to extract maximum profit in minimum time

6. Wars of Succession

• Happened due to multiple conspiracies and plots amongst princes for power, supported by Nobility
• Resulted in lack of political stability and poor economy

7. Nature of Ruler-Aristocrat Relationship

• Aristocrats
  • included –  Turani, Irani, Indian Muslims, Hindus
  • appointed , promoted and posted by Rulers
  • Impersonal Loyalty among Aristocrats was an very important pillar for stable central authority, but this was taken over by personal loyalities and greed for power
• Effectiveness of Ruler-Aristocrat relationship depended on
  • personal qualities or ruler/emperor
  • Flourishing economic resources of Empire
• But due to Wars and Ruin of Economy
  • resources suffered
  • central authority weakned
  • Ruler Aristocrat Relationship became weak

8. Weak Character of Nobility

• Their Character was strength of Empire
• Corrupt and profit minded Nobility
  • lived extravagantly
  • carried faction Politics and plotted conspiracies
  • promoted own interests over that of state’s

9. Jagardari Crises

• Unlike Akbar and Shahjahan, Aurangzeb opted for Jagirs and Paibaqi for official salaries
  • Jagir – Temporary land allotment for services
  • Paibaqi – Revenue from reserved lands , sent to central treasury
  • 4/5^th of Land revenue – was under Mansabdars, but unevenly distributed, which caused jealousy
• Thus a major cause of growing selfishness among Nobles was
  • paucity of Jagirs (more mansabdars & few Jagirs)  
  • reduced income of existing Jagirs
• This led to Jagirdari crisis
  • Khalisa Lands were converted to Jagirs but couldn’t help solve the problem (Khalisa land – lands  administered directly by imperial Revenue Department )
  • Nobles
    • tried to extract as much possible from a Jagir
    • made heavy demands on peasants, oppressed them
    • tried to transform their existing Jagirs into hereditary ones
  • All this intensified financial crises

10. Stagnant Trade & Industry

• Unlike Europe, Indian Industry did not make new advances in Science &Technology
• Emphasis on land as a source of wealth & Govt revenue, led to neglect of overseas trade & navy
• Lack of modernization and new weapons

11. Absence of Political Nationalism among people

• People were loyal to castes ,persons, tribes & religious sects
• They were loyal to villages and community

12. Decline in Efficiency of Administration during 1700 AD

• Corruption , indiscipline, inefficiency, disloyalty
  • prevailed on a large scale among officials at all levels
• Weak Military
  • Corruption existed in expenditure on Army
  • Soldiers – lacked morale, not paid consistently , lacked discipline, no new tech/innovation
  • Army, the ultimate pride of Mughals, could no longer defend an foreign invasion

13. Invasions by Nadir Shah & Ahmed Shah Abdali

• Ruined trade, industry, wealth, military
• Weakened Central Authority

14. Emergence of Regional Powers

• Reasons
  • Availability of more resources with Zamindars and local chiefs, due to rising agricultural Production and good economy
  • Powerful local rulers asserted autonomy
  • Throughout Mughal Period, there was constant process of reconciliation and conflicts between central and regional powers