Aurangzeb’s Legacy: The Decline and Aftermath of the Mughal Empire

India’s Transformative Shifts Post-1707

The era of the Great Mughals commenced in 1526 A.D. when Babur ascended to the throne, and it drew to a close with the passing of Aurangzeb in 1707 A.D. After 1707, India went through big changes. The powerful Mughal Empire got weaker and eventually fell apart. This created a power gap, causing important social and political shifts. These changes set the stage for later colonial rule.

Aurangzeb’s Policies: Seeds of Mughal Decline and Socio-Political Turmoil

• Aurangzeb’s Religious Policies: Aurangzeb’s religious policies towards Hindus were in stark contrast with that of Akbar.
  • Akbar had won over the Hindus by following a policy of religious toleration and opening careers to talent irrespective of caste, race or creed. 
  • Aurangzeb reversed these policies, reinstating the unpopular jizya tax on Hindus, expressing mistrust towards the Rajputs, and making an ill-fated effort to convert the heir of Marwar to Islam.
• Deccan Policy: Aurangzeb’s protracted Deccan campaigns, especially against the Marathas, heavily strained resources. 
  • This led to a significant depletion of the empire’s treasury, causing financial and economic instability.
• Weakened Prestige and Authority: The failure of Aurangzeb to decisively defeat the Marathas and other Deccan powers eroded the aura of invincibility that had surrounded the Mughal Empire. 
  • This diminished the prestige and authority of the Mughal throne in the eyes of both their subjects and neighboring powers.
• Rebellions and Unrest: The strain of continuous warfare and heavy taxation led to widespread discontent among various segments of society, including the peasantry and regional elites. This created fertile ground for rebellions and uprisings.
• Example: Jat and Satnami rebellion
• The Jagirdari Crisis: Towards the end of Aurangzeb’s reign, the number of appointed jagirdars had swelled to such an extent that there was a severe scarcity of available paibaqi land (land set aside for jagir (land) grants).

• Wars of Succession: The Mughals did not follow any law of succession of Aurangzeb thus, each time a ruler died, a war of succession between the brothers started.
• Weak Successors: The successors after Aurangzeb were weak and became victims of the intrigues and conspiracies of the faction-ridden nobles. 
• Challenge from Regional Powers: The weak rulers were incapable of controlling too large an empire from Delhi. As a result, the distant provinces became independent. 
  • The rise of independent states led to the disintegration of the Mughal Empire.
• Role of Mughal Nobility: The Mughal nobility was divided between various factions such as Turani, Irani, Indian Muslims, Rajputs etc.
  • Under weak successors, these nobles started fighting among themselves for the greed of power and placing their favorite candidate on the thorne.
  • Example: Role played by Sayyid Brother in placing Farrukhsiyar, Muhammad Shah Rangeela on throne.
• Economic Bankruptcy: Shah Jahan’s zeal for construction had depleted the treasury. 
  • Example: Construction of Taj Mahal at Agra and city of Shahjahanabad Red Fort at Delhi
  • Aurangzeb’s long wars in the south had further drained the exchequer.
  • Example: Wars with Marathas and Deccani states
• Foreign invasions: The invasions of Nadir Shah and Ahmad Shah Abdali resulted in further drainage of wealth. 
  • These invasions shook the very stability of the empire.
• Decline of Military Strength: The long drawn out war in the Deccan led to a significant reduction in the number of experienced and battle-ready soldiers within the Mughal army. 
  • This weakened the military capacity of the empire. 
• Military technology: The invaders, such as the Afghan and Persian forces, utilized advanced firearms and artillery, giving them a significant advantage over the Mughals. 
  • This technological disparity weakened the Mughal military and made it difficult for them to defend their territories effectively.

Aurangzeb’s Legacy: Mughal Fall & India’s Transformative Shifts

• The fall of the Mughal Empire had far-reaching implications on various aspects of Indian society, culture, and politics. 
• Emergence of Regional States: After the death of Aurangzeb in 1707, the Mughal Empire began to fragment. Provincial governors (Subedars) (Eg: Awadh, Bengal, Hyderabad) and regional leaders (Eg: Marathas, Rohillas, English and FRench Company)  asserted their autonomy, giving rise to a patchwork of independent states across the subcontinent.
• Financial Strain: After the Aurangzeb, the decline of centralized authority resulted in economic instability. 
  • Trade routes were disrupted, and local economies faced challenges. 
  • The imposition of heavy taxes by regional rulers further strained economic resources.
• European Encroachments: European powers, particularly the British and the French, began to establish their presence in India. 
  • Their commercial interests and territorial expansions challenged the authority of the Mughal Empire and contributed to its weakening.
• British Colonial Domination: The power vacuum left by the weakening Mughal Empire allowed the British East India Company to expand its influence and eventually establish colonial rule over India. 
  • This marked the beginning of nearly two centuries of British colonialism, profoundly shaping India’s history and socio-economic landscape.
• Revolt of 1857: The First War of Independence was a watershed moment which marked a significant uprising against British rule and hastened the end of Mughal Empire, symbolizing the transition to full-scale colonial dominance.
• Lasting Impact on Modern India: The fall of the Mughals profoundly influenced the socio-political landscape of India. 
  • It set the stage for the subsequent colonial era, shaping the contours of modern Indian history, and leaving behind a complex legacy that continues to resonate in contemporary India.
• Cultural Renaissance: Despite political upheaval, this period saw a flourishing of arts, culture, and scholarship. 
  • The Mughal courts continued to patronize poets, artists, and scholars, leaving a rich legacy of literature, architecture, and fine arts.
  • Example: Mughal Emperor Bahadaur Shah Zafar II patronized a large number poets and singers at Red fort Delhi
• Transition in Art and Architecture: While Mughal influences continued to resonate, new regional styles emerged in art and architecture. 
• • This period witnessed the flourishing of various schools of art, each with its distinct features and aesthetics.
• Administrative Divergence: With the disintegration of the Mughal Empire, regional powers developed their own administrative systems. 

Conclusion:

• The fall of the Mughal Empire stands as a watershed moment in Indian history. 
  • A confluence of internal strife, external invasions, economic strain, and administrative decline culminated in the disintegration of this once-mighty dynasty.

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