Decline of Mughals & The Rise of Regional Powers
Political Causes of the decline
- Aurengzeb's expansionist military campaign against Bijapur, Golconda and Maratha are believed to have sapped the vitality of Mughal empire.
- After the death of Aurengzeb, there was no clear line of succession. In between 1707 to 1720 near about 6 rulers were appointed to the Mughal throne.
- Bitter factionalism in the Mughal precipitated, whereby Irani, Turrani, Hindustani and Afghani groups started to increase their influence and later on many carved out semi-independent autonomous territories for themselves.
- Moreover, many of the nobles were not respectful towards the Mughal emperor. For example - Sayyid Brothers killed Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar.
Economic Causes of the decline
- Jagirdari crises - The Mughal state has been described as a war state in its core. It's vitality depended on military might of the Mughals. The Jagirdari crises involved emergence of too many Jagirdars chasing for very few Jagirs coupled with unequal sizes of Jagirs, which triggered intense competition within the nobilities. Moreover, Aurengzeb converted large part of Deccan land into Khalisa land (Royal land) and thus even expansion into Deccan did not significantly increased the number of available Jagirs.
- Attempt to increase revenue by increasing tax rates often resulted in peasants revolts against the ruler.
Socio-religious Causes of the decline
- It is believed that divisive religious policy of the Aurengzeb was one of the most important factor of decline which included persecution of Hindus, forcible conversion, destruction of Hindu temples and re-imposition of Jaziya tax.
Military Causes of the decline
- There was no fresh technological input in the Mughal army during the 18th century and thus when faced with superior opponent, i.e., Britishers, the Mughal army proved to be inferior.
Question -
To what extent Jagirdari crises was responsible for the decline of Mughals
Discuss the factors that led to the decline of Mughal empire in India.
Difference between Jagirdari and Zamindari
Jagirdars
- They were granted land by the emperor for their military sercice or for providing military support to the Mughal emperor.
- Land granted was for a temporary period.
- Land granted was not hereditary in nature.
Zamindars
- They were the hereditary feudal lords and owner of the land.
- They collected revenue and also maintain law and order in their area.
Emergence of Regional Powers in the 18th century
Successor States -
- The rulers of these states were erstwhile members of the Mughal nobility. They went on to carve out their own autonomous semi-independent states but they respected the nominal rule of the Mughals.
- For example - Friday prayers were raised in the name of Mughal monarch, coins were minted with the name of Mughal emperor and also annual tributes were paid to the Mughal emperor.
- Example of Successor States - Bengal, Awadh, Hyderabad and Carnatic
Rebellious States -
- These were the areas which were brought under the Mughal rule during the regime of Aurengzeb. After the death of Aurengzeb, Mughal power stated to weaken and rulers from these areas asserted their autonomy. Further, these rulers were not part of the Mughal nobility and they did not accepted the nominal rule of the Mughals.
- Example of Rebellious States - Punjab, Marathas and Mysore
Previous Article - Later Mughals
Next Article - Carnatic Wars
Notes on other subjects
Optional Notes
Note - This is my Vision IAS Notes (Vision IAS Class Notes) and Ashutosh Pandey Sir's Public Administration Class notes. I've also added some of the information on my own.
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