Decline of the Mughals
1707 — 1858
🌪️ Phase I: Succession Chaos (1707–1719)
Key Features:
- War of succession and real power exercised by nobles.
- Sayyid Brothers’ dominance in the Early 18th century.
Bahadur Shah I
1707–1712
- Battle of Jajau: Won by Bahadur Shah against his brother.
- Policies: Followed pacifist policies with Rajputs & Marathas.
- Conflict: Led campaign against Sikh rebellion led by Banda Singh Bahadur.
Jahandar Shah
Puppet Ruler
1712–1713
- Power Behind Throne: Placed on throne by PM Zulfiqar Khan (Nobles had de facto power).
- Pacifist Policies: Abolished Jeziah (Jizya).
- Revenue System: Introduced Ijaradari system (revenue farming):
↳ Right to collect land revenue sold to highest bidder.
↳ Note: Opposed later in Rangpur Dhing (1783). - Death: Murdered by Farrukhsiyar with help of Sayyid brothers (Mughal nobles).
Farrukhsiyar
1713–1719
- 1717 Farmans: Granted significant trade privileges to East India Company.
- Sikh Relations: Executed Banda Singh Bahadur very painfully.
- Territorial Loss: Bengal became a successor state.
- Death: 1st emperor in Mughal history to have been killed by his nobles (by Sayyid Brothers and Maratha Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath).
Rafi-ud-Darajat
Puppet
1719
- Installed by Sayyid Brothers.
- Reign lasted only 3-4 months.
Shah Jahan II (Rafi-ud-Daulah)
Puppet
1719
- Another puppet of Sayyid Brothers.
- Record: Shortest reign (3 months).
Comparison: Longest reign was Aurangzeb (49 years).
📉 Phase II: Decline & Invasions (1719–1760)
Muhammad Shah (Rangeela)
1719–1748
- Politics: Initially a puppet of Sayyid Brothers, but he colluded with Nizam-ul-Mulk of Hyderabad and murdered the Sayyid Brothers.
- Culture: Cultural revival but indulgent character (Zahiri arts, qawwalis, painting).
- Fragmentation: Awadh and Hyderabad became successor states.
- Invasion: Nadir Shah invaded during his reign — Battle of Karnal (1739).
Ahmad Shah Bahadur
1748–1754
- Ahmad Shah Abdali invaded twice.
Alamgir II
Puppet
1754–1759
- Abdali invaded twice.
- Battle of Plassey (1757) occurred during his reign.
Shah Jahan III
1759–1760
- Installed by Marathas.
- Held nominal power only.
🇬🇧 Phase III: Titular Role under British (1760–1858)
Shah Alam II
1760–1806
- 1761: Third Battle of Panipat.
- 1764: Battle of Buxar → Acknowledged British suzerainty.
- Became an EIC Pensioner.
- Capital shifted to Allahabad.
Akbar Shah II
1806–1837
- Gave the title of “Raja” to Ram Mohan Roy.
- 1835: Coins bearing names of Mughal emperors were stopped.
Bahadur Shah II (Zafar)
1837–1857
- Last Mughal Emperor.
- Symbolic figure in the 1857 Revolt.
- Exiled to Rangoon by the British.
- November 1, 1858: End of Mughal Empire with the declaration of Queen Victoria.