The Mughal Empire and Its Downfall

The article ‘The Mughal Empire and Its Downfall contains the historical backdrop of how the Mughal came into power in the subcontinent in the first quarter of 16th century. Moreover, it also encompasses that what traits of the Mughal led to the downfall of such a splendid empire that was once spread over the entire sub-continent .

It had been the largest empire in the subcontinent once, founded by Zahiruddin Muhammad Babur after defeating Ibrahim Lodhi on first battle of Panipat on April 21, 1526. The empire was extended from Bengal to Baluchistan and from Kashmir to the Kaveri Basin. After the establishment of the kingdom Babur was not able to rejoice the fruit of his arduous triumphs. He died in 1530 and succeeded by his son Humayun (1530-1556).

Humayun did not have the characteristics of decisive statesmanship and was forced by the rebel chief Sher Shah Suri. He left India and sought asylum in Persia. After the demise of Suri, he took back his father’s territory and his rule lasted just after seven months. He was followed by his son Akbar (1556-1605) in the age of fourteen.

Akbar extended the frontiers to the Bay of Bengal in the east and the Persian border in the north-west. His gigantic military conquests and the way he encouraged artistic and cultural endeavours were the traits which made him remarkable.

After Akbar’s demise in 1605, his descendent Jahangir (1605-1627) took the throne. He was the stunning character amongst the Mughals and was reputed as a just king.  He died in 1628 leaving two heirs_ Shah Jehan, and stepson Shahryar. Shah Jehan (1628-1658), pathetically killed Shahryar and got the throne. It was a bloody start but despite, he got a name as a good ruler. As a significant patron of the art, he built the Red Fort in Delhi and in the memory of his wife, the Taj Mahal, in Agra.

He was overthrown by his own descendants for the lust of power. The next great Mughals king was Aurangzeb (1658-1707) who was amongst the top six ruler. He ruled the empire with an iron hand and continued to strengthen the regime. He came closest to achieve the paradigm and true Islamic state in India. He passed away in 1707 and soon after his demise, the Mughals empire de-facto derailed from its way and crept into the internal conflicts and collisions. Various provinces declared its liberty and Marathas strengthened their hold too.

The Mughals empire was measured by the fact that in the century following the death of Aurangzeb no less than fifteen ruler ascended the Mughal throne as against six great Mughals of the previous 181 years. The last Mughal’s ruler Bahadur Shah Zafar (1837-1857) was deported to Rangoon_ capital of Burma_ after the rebellion of 1857 (war of independence) where he died and the prestige of Mughal Empire extinguish. In the era of Shah Jehan the empire was reached to the climax and zenith then how its decline began just after Aurangzeb? 

“No nation can make progression if they are intellectually 2nd-rate. The Indian Muslims failed to meet this need once again in the 18th century and therefore were overthrown and enslaved by a foreign colonial power“

Here are some of the tangible causes that led to the downfall of the great Mughal Empire.

The death of every emperor led to a war of succession among his heirs. Every ruler had to meet the challenge to ascend to the throne. Hamayun competed with his brothers; Akbar faced Mirza Hakim; Jahangir was challenged by his son and so on.

Due to the carelessness donations and endowments of the last Mughal emperors, the financial position of the state was miserable. They conciliated with Rajput and with the others tribes of that time.

The last monarchs were indulged into pleasure and luxurious kind of a life. They were so much busy in their lavishness that they have left behind the state affairs. Consequently, the colonial powers and the then Nawabs took ample advantage of that. 

An ease and extravagance loving person who led a life of debauchery. Shah had the last chance to gain back the renaissance and stature of the Mughal Empire but he too was failed due to his indifferent attributes. 

Many independent dukes arose in various parts of the country to establish their own states. Vazir Nizam-ul-Mulk left for Deccan and, acquired for himself the state of Hyderabad. 

Nadir Shah a Persian king gave a fast and furious blow to the Mughal Empire in 1738-39

and without any obstacle, he reached Lahore. A hurried and unsuccessful endeavor was made by Mughals but they were defeated at Karnal leaving the north western border vulnerable. It led to the raids of Ahmad Shah Abdali that caused havoc in the subcontinent. The perpetual struggle by the lust for power between Ahmad Shah and Marathas led to the third battle of Panipat in 1761. Marathas defeat and Shah’s death freed the empire_ confined to the outskirt of Delhi_ from the menace of the Afghans and Marathas. 

Dr Majumdar writes “the deterioration in the character of the nobility during the eighteenth century had a large share in hastening the decline of the Mughal Empire.” Once the empire was flourished not only by the bestowed rulers but also by its intellectual nobility which faced lacking in the era of later rulers. They were incompetent and if there was proficient one, then he was not loyal to the empire. 

To thrive an educational system, the Great Mughals had been unable, that’s why the Indians faced the music to make any progress in any field of life. The 18th century remained devoid of any cognitive growth at all. It’s the fact that no nation can make progression if they are intellectually 2nd-rate. The Indian Muslims failed to meet this need once again in the 18th century and therefore were overthrown and enslaved by a foreign colonial power. 

The first Europeans expedition set sail from Portugal, led by Vasco da Gama, and disembarked on the southwest coast of Calicut in 1498. Then, Portuguese possessed Goa in 1510. To challenge the monopoly of Portuguese, Dutch and British made private trading companies at the turn of 17th century. The Europeans, especially the British, played a crucial role in the dethronement of the Mughal Empire.

They came for the purpose of trade and at last, they began intrusion in the State Affairs and cautiously framed up a British Rule in the subcontinent that lasted for almost 200 years. Today, historian consider the Robert Clive’s victory with the help of defector Mir Jaffar at the battle of Plassey, in 1757 as being the effective inauguration of the British Raj in India.