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Decline of the Mughals

How the mighty Mughal empire decayed in the 18th century — from court rivalries and costly wars to foreign invasions and weak successors.

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What this chapter covers

  1. A Period of Transition

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    • TransitionMughal decline began India's modern transition.
    • Mughal DisintegrationEmpire shrank to around Delhi.
    • Later Mughal RulersWeak rulers after Aurangzeb's death, 1707.

  2. Reasons for the Decline of the Mughal Empire

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    • Politics in the Mughal CourtRival noble groups divided the court.
    • Jagirdari CrisisNobles scrambled for profitable jagirs.
    • Weak Military Organization and AdministrationMansabdari system broke down; corruption.
    • Wars of SuccessionCostly civil wars after each death.
    • Aurangzeb's PoliciesReligious intolerance and numerous wars.
    • Economic BankruptcyMonuments and Deccan campaign drained treasury.
    • Foreign InvasionsNadir Shah and Ahmad Shah Abdali.
    • Weak SuccessorsPleasure-loving puppets of ambitious nobles.

Try a sample question

How many groups of nobles existed in the Mughal court during the period of decline?

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