Mughal Decline can be divided into two factors
(1) Internal Factors
(a) Weak Successors
(b) Financial Crisis
(c) Mughal Alliances were separated
(d) Frequent Revolts
(e) Rise of new Powers (Maratha and Sikh)
(2) External Factors
(a) Outsiders Invasions
Weak Succcessors :-
- After 1707, the Successors of Aurangzeb remained weak to hold the large territory
- Along with this the court politics was another reason behind this unstabilityy and weakness
Later Mughals :-
- After Aurangzeb a war of Succession emerged between sons of Aurangzeb (1707 A.D - 1709 A.D)
(1) Muazzam [ Bahadur Shah I] (1709 - 1712)
he became Badshah at the age of 63 years and popularly known as Sjhah-I-Bekhabar. The title was given by his court poet, Khafi Khan
(2) Jahandar Shah (1712 - 1713)
- His Prime Minister Julfikar Khan introduced a new revenue system to solve the financial crisis
- This new system came to be known as Izaradari (highest bidder get right to collect Revenue)
- It lead Peasants Revolts
- He became victim of court politics and assassinated
(3) Farrukshiyar (1713 - 1719) :-
- He becomes Badshah through Court Politics of Sayyad Brothers (King Makers) (Abdullah Khan and Hussain Ali Khan)
- He provided Mughal Farman to BEIC
- As per this Farman BEIC could trade in Mughal territories
(4) Rafi-ud-Darzat
(5) Rafi-ud-Duala
(6) Mohammad Shah (1719 - 1748)
- Her was popularly known as "Rangella"
- Due to his carelessness and indulgence in luxury life Mughal Empire had to face Disintegration
- Successor States developed (Awadh and Hyderabad)
- Delhi had to face attacks by internal rivals and outsiders
- Internal Rival - Maratha (Bajirao I)
- Outsiders attacks in 1738 - 39 by Nadir Shah, popularly known as Battle of Karnal
(7) Ahmad Shah (1748 - 1754 A.D.)
- His reign had to face multiple attacks by Ahmad Shah Abdali from 1748 - 1761
(8) Alamgir II (1754 - 1758 A.D.)
- His reign had to face Battle of Plassey (Bengal vs. BEIC) in 1757 A.D
(9) Shah Alam II (1758 - 1806 A.D)
- Two major Battles held during his reign
- (a) 3rd Battle of Panipat in 1761 A.D.
- (b) Battle of Buxar in 1764 A.D. (Mughal+Awadh+Bengal V/s BEIC in which BEIC won.
- He was the first Mughal Emperor whop become pensioner of BEIC
- He was sent to Kara, Allahabad
(10) Akbar II (1806 - 1837 A.D.)
- BEIC stopped his pension
- His case was dealt by Ram Mohan Roy in London
- He gave a title to Ram Mohan Roy "Raja" for his Reformist nature
- He won the case and received pension
- He was the last Emperor who had his name on coins
(11) Bahadur Shah II / Zafar (1837 - 1857/1858 A.D.)
- He was the last Mughal Emperor
- During Revolt of 1857, Sepoys gave him a title "Shahanshah-i-Hindustan"