(Online Course) History for IAS Mains: The Eighteenth Century - Factors for the decline of the Mughal Empire

The Eighteenth Century

Answer: The eighteenth century was a phase of transition in Indian history. The Great Mughal Empire the envy of its contemporaries for almost two centuries, declined and disintegrated after the death of Aurangzeb in 1707. A new element entered Mughal politics in this century. While previously the contest for power had been between royal princes, and the nobles had merely aided the aspirants to the throne. New ambitious nobles became direct contenders for power and used princes as mere pawns to capture the seats of authority. The administration was virtually in the hands of Zulfiqar Khan. Daud Khan, Saiyad brothers, Nrzam-uKMulk and others. Court politics was divided between Irani, Turani and Hindustani parties.

Muhammad Shah's long reign of nearly 30 years (1719-48) was the last chance of saving the Empire. But he was not the man of the moment. He was weakminded and frivolous and over-fond of a life of ease and luxury. He neglected the affairs of the state. Instead of giving full support to able wazirs such as Nizam-ul-Mulk, he fell under the evil influence of corrupt and worthless flatterers and intrigued against his own ministers. He even shared in the bribes taken by his favourite courtiers. The physical break-up of the Mughal Empire had begun.

Hereditary nawabs owing nominal allegiance to the Emperor at Delhi arose in many parts of the country, for example, in Bengal- Hyderabad, Awadh, and the Punjab. Everywhere petty Zamindars, Rajas and Nawabs raised the banner of rebellion and independence. The Maratha Sardars began their northern expansion and overran Malwa, Gujarat and Bundelkhand. The invasions of Nadir Shah (1738) and Ahmad Shah Abdali inflicted immense damage of the Mughal Empire. This shrank to a few square miles around Delhi. In the end, in 1803, Delhi itself was occupied by the British army.

The Europeans knocking al the gates of India had the benefit of coming from societies which had evolved a superior economic system and which were more advanced in science and technology. Finally the British emerged successful and took advantages of internal conflicts of Indian powers. They crushed French fleets during Anglo-French wars and prepared a ground. In the second half of the eighteenth century they fought many battles, such as the Battle of Plassey (1757), Battle of Buxar (1764) etc. and played the games of diplomacy, conspiracy and treaties against Nizam, Mysore. Awadh, Hyderabad, Carnatic and the Marathas.