QUES . Do you agree with the view that the reversal of Akbar’s Rajput policy by Aurangzeb was responsible for the disintegration of the Mughal empire? Discuss. UPSC IES/ISS EXAM 2015 General Studies. 200 Words. 5 Marks.

The Mughal Empire was one of the largest and most powerful empires in the history of India. It ruled over most of the Indian subcontinent and parts of Afghanistan from the 16th to the 18th century. (Refer: The significance of Mughal rule )

The empire reached its peak of glory and prosperity under the reign of Akbar, who is considered one of the greatest rulers of all time. However, after his death, the empire began to decline due to various factors, both internal and external.

The main reasons that led to the decline of the Mughal Empire are:

Aurangzeb’s religious policies

֍ Aurangzeb was the last of the great Mughal emperors, who ruled from 1658 to 1707.

֍ He was a devout Muslim, who tried to impose his religious views on his subjects.

֍ He reversed the policies of religious tolerance and harmony that his predecessors had followed.

֍ He persecuted the Hindus, Sikhs, and other non-Muslims, and imposed heavy taxes on them.

֍ He also destroyed many Hindu and Sikh temples and schools, and banned music, art, and literature that he considered un-Islamic.

֍ These policies alienated and angered many of his subjects, and led to rebellions in various parts of the empire.

Weak succession and incompetent rulers

֍ The Mughal Empire did not have a fixed rule of succession, which often resulted in disputes and wars among the heirs of the throne.

֍ After Aurangzeb’s death, a series of weak and incompetent rulers came to power, who were unable to maintain the unity and stability of the empire.

֍ They were also influenced and manipulated by the corrupt and powerful nobles, who had their own interests and ambitions.

֍ The Mughal emperors lost their authority and prestige, and became mere puppets in the hands of the nobles.

Economic decline and corruption

֍ The Mughal Empire was once the richest and most prosperous empire in the world, with flourishing trade, agriculture, and industry.

֍ However, under the later Mughal rulers, the economy of the empire declined drastically.

֍ The heavy taxes imposed by Aurangzeb and his successors impoverished the peasants and the merchants, and reduced the revenue of the state.

֍ The frequent wars and invasions drained the treasury and resources of the empire.

֍ The corruption and mismanagement of the officials and the nobles further worsened the economic situation.

֍ The Mughal Empire became bankrupt and unable to meet its expenses and obligations.

Rise of regional powers and foreign invasions

֍ As the Mughal Empire weakened, many regional powers emerged and challenged its authority and supremacy.

֍ The Marathas, the Sikhs, the Rajputs, the Jats, and the Bengal Nawabs asserted their independence and expanded their territories at the expense of the Mughals. They also formed alliances and coalitions against the Mughals, and fought several wars with them.

֍ The Mughals also faced foreign invasions from the Persians, the Afghans, and the British, who plundered and looted the empire.

֍ The Mughal Empire lost its vast lands and its military strength, and became a shadow of its former self.

Cultural and religious conflicts

֍ The Mughal Empire was a diverse and multicultural empire, with people of different religions, languages, and cultures living under its rule.

֍ The Mughal rulers, especially Akbar, tried to promote a culture of tolerance and harmony among their subjects, and encouraged the development of art, literature, and architecture.

֍ However, under the later Mughal rulers, the culture of the empire deteriorated and became rigid and intolerant.

֍ The religious policies of Aurangzeb and his successors created a rift between the Muslims and the non-Muslims, and led to communal violence and hatred.

֍ The Mughal Empire lost its cultural identity and cohesion, and became divided and fragmented.

Administrative and military weakness

֍ The Mughal Empire had a centralized and efficient administration, that was based on the principles of justice and merit.

֍ The Mughal rulers appointed able and loyal officials and generals, who carried out their duties and responsibilities with honesty and diligence.

֍ The Mughal army was one of the most powerful and disciplined armies in the world, with a large and well-equipped force of cavalry, infantry, artillery, and elephants.

֍ However, under the later Mughal rulers, the administration and the military of the empire became weak and ineffective.

֍ The officials and the generals became corrupt and disloyal, and neglected their duties and responsibilities.

֍ The army became outdated, ill-trained, and unable to cope with the modern and superior forces of its enemies.

֍ The Mughal Empire lost its administrative and military efficiency and competence, and became vulnerable and defenseless.

British colonial expansion

֍ The British were the last and most formidable enemies of the Mughal Empire.

֍ The British came to India as traders, under the banner of the East India Company, in the early 17th century.

֍ They gradually established their trading posts and factories in various parts of India, and gained political and economic influence and control.

֍ They took advantage of the weakness and disunity of the Mughal Empire, and intervened in its internal affairs and conflicts.

֍ They also fought several wars with the Mughals and their allies, and defeated them.

֍ They annexed and occupied the Mughal territories, and imposed their laws and policies on them.

֍ They also exploited and oppressed the people of India, and drained their wealth and resources.

֍ The British eventually ended the Mughal Empire in 1857, after the failed revolt of the Indian soldiers and civilians against their rule.

֍ The British established their colonial rule over India, which lasted until 1947.

The end of the Mughal empire

The last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah II, also known as Bahadur Shah Zafar, ascended the throne in 1837 amidst a declining Mughal Empire. His reign was marked by political instability and growing British influence in India.

The Indian Rebellion of 1857, also known as the Sepoy Mutiny, saw Bahadur Shah II being proclaimed as the leader of the uprising against British rule. However, the rebellion was brutally suppressed by the British, leading to Bahadur Shah II’s exile to Rangoon, Burma (present-day Myanmar), where he died in 1862.

With his death, the Mughal Empire effectively came to an end, symbolizing the culmination of centuries of Mughal rule in India and the onset of British colonial dominance.

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