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Question
“The decline of the Mughal Empire was inevitable.” Substantiate this statement.
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Solution
Instructions:
- Write about the Mughal Empire briefly.
- State the various reasons for the decline of the Mughal Empire.
Solution: The Mughal Empire was known for its administrative measures, military capabilities and
cultural achievements. However, it started declining towards the first half of the 18th century. The reasons for its decline were as follows:
- The weak successors of Aurangzeb: The successors of Aurangzeb were incompetent rulers and lacked knowledge in the matters of administration and diplomacy. They heavily depended on their nobles and governors.
- The defective law of succession: The Mughals didn’t follow the law of primogeniture, according to which, the eldest son would be the next successor. A war of succession broke out after the death of a ruler. During the Early Mughal era, the deserving son got the throne, but because of the increasing influence of the nobles, the weaker rulers started ascending the throne in the Later Mughal period.
- Rivalry among the nobles: The conflict among the three factions of nobles namely Iranis, Turanis and the Hindustanis led to a frequent change of the rulers, which caused major political instability. The constant fights among the nobles and the lack of unity left the empire vulnerable and exposed to foreign invasions and attacks.
- Foreign invasions and attacks: Nadir Shah looted Delhi and took several valuable things such as the Kohinoor Diamond and the Peacock Throne of Shah Jahan. Ahmad Shah Abdali, who was a general of Nadir Shah, also invaded India five times between the period 1748 and 1761.
- Economic conditions: Aurangzeb’s long-drawn war with the Deccan affected agriculture. The jagirdari crisis made matters worse. Several famines broke out and high taxes were imposed on the common people. The handicraft industries, trade and commerce also suffered due to a lack of finances and raw materials.The fiscal management of the rulers was also inefficient.
- Write about the Mughal Empire briefly.
- State the various reasons for the decline of the Mughal Empire.
cultural achievements. However, it started declining towards the first half of the 18th century. The reasons for its decline were as follows:
- The weak successors of Aurangzeb: The successors of Aurangzeb were incompetent rulers and lacked knowledge in the matters of administration and diplomacy. They heavily depended on their nobles and governors.
- The defective law of succession: The Mughals didn’t follow the law of primogeniture, according to which, the eldest son would be the next successor. A war of succession broke out after the death of a ruler. During the Early Mughal era, the deserving son got the throne, but because of the increasing influence of the nobles, the weaker rulers started ascending the throne in the Later Mughal period.
- Rivalry among the nobles: The conflict among the three factions of nobles namely Iranis, Turanis and the Hindustanis led to a frequent change of the rulers, which caused major political instability. The constant fights among the nobles and the lack of unity left the empire vulnerable and exposed to foreign invasions and attacks.
- Foreign invasions and attacks: Nadir Shah looted Delhi and took several valuable things such as the Kohinoor Diamond and the Peacock Throne of Shah Jahan. Ahmad Shah Abdali, who was a general of Nadir Shah, also invaded India five times between the period 1748 and 1761.
- Economic conditions: Aurangzeb’s long-drawn war with the Deccan affected agriculture. The jagirdari crisis made matters worse. Several famines broke out and high taxes were imposed on the common people. The handicraft industries, trade and commerce also suffered due to a lack of finances and raw materials.The fiscal management of the rulers was also inefficient.
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