The Decline of the Mughal Empire | 1707CE - 1761CE | Mughal Empire Ep. 09

Summary

The video script recounts the decline of the Mughal Empire following the death of Aurangzeb Alamgir in 1707. His sons' power struggles and reliance on nobles weakened the empire, leading to internal strife and external threats. The script details the rise of regional powers, the Marathas' resurgence, and the eventual fragmentation of the empire into successor states. It also touches on the Marathas' attempt to preserve the Mughal state and the empire's reduced influence until the Great Indian Mutiny in 1857.

Takeaways

• 🏰 The Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir, who expanded the empire to its peak, died in 1707 after a 52-year reign, leading to a power struggle among his sons.
• 🗡 Aurangzeb's sons were old and untrained, and their war for succession was smaller in scale compared to Aurangzeb's own struggle against his brothers.
• 👑 Prince Mu’azzam emerged victorious and became Shahanshah Bahadur Shah, also known as Shah Alam, but he was not as powerful as Aurangzeb and relied heavily on nobles.
• 📜 Bahadur Shah attempted to legitimize his rule by claiming descent from the Prophet and started calling himself Sayyid, but his reign was short-lived, ending in 1712.
• 👶 Zulfiqar Khan installed Bahadur Shah's inexperienced son Jahandar as emperor to make him a controllable puppet, marking a shift in power dynamics.
• 🛡 The Sayyid brothers, Indian Muslims and governors, played a significant role in the ascension of Farrukhsiyar, illustrating a change in the composition of the Mughal court.
• 🔄 A power struggle arose between Muslims of Turkic, Iranian, or Mongol descent and Indian Muslims within the Mughal court, leading to instability.
• 🛑 The empire faced numerous rebellions, loss of control over rich provinces, and bankruptcy by 1730, with external forces waiting to claim its territories.
• 🦁 The Marathas, once a threat subdued by Aurangzeb, regained power and expanded their influence, eventually controlling most of North India.
• 🏙️ Delhi was sacked by Nader Shah in 1739, symbolizing the end of Mughal authority and the beginning of its decline to a figurehead role.
• 🤴 The last Mughal emperor was a figurehead during the Great Indian Mutiny in 1857, showing that the Mughal name still held respect despite the loss of real power.

Q & A

Who was Shahanshah Muhi ad-Din Muhammad Aurangzeb Alamgir?

Shahanshah Muhi ad-Din Muhammad Aurangzeb Alamgir was the sixth Mughal Emperor who ruled for 52 years until his death in 1707. His reign marked the peak of the Mughal Empire.

What significant change occurred in the Mughal Empire after Aurangzeb's death?

After Aurangzeb's death, his sons, who were old and untrained, had to fight for the throne. This marked the beginning of the decline of the Mughal Empire as the sons lacked the power and military support that Aurangzeb had.

What was the role of Magellan TV in the script?

Magellan TV is a streaming service mentioned in the script as a sponsor. They offer a wide range of documentaries and shows across various genres, including history, science, travel, and art.

What historical documentaries are recommended in the script?

The script recommends 'The Story of Egypt', a four-part docuseries about ancient Egyptian civilization, and 'Meet the Romans', a three-part series about daily life in the Roman Empire.

Who were the three sons of Aurangzeb Alamgir who contested for the throne?

The three sons of Aurangzeb Alamgir who contested for the throne were Prince Mu’azzam, Azam, and Kam Bakhsh.

What was unique about the war of succession among Aurangzeb's sons compared to Aurangzeb's own war against his brothers?

The war of succession among Aurangzeb's sons was smaller in scale than the one Aurangzeb had fought against his brothers, primarily because his sons did not have the same level of influence and military support.

Who emerged as the emperor after Aurangzeb's sons fought for the throne?

Prince Mu’azzam emerged victorious and became the emperor, taking the title of Shahanshah Bahadur Shah and later known as Shah Alam.

Why was Bahadur Shah not as powerful as Aurangzeb?

Bahadur Shah was not as powerful as Aurangzeb because Aurangzeb had ensured that none of his sons had powerful households like he did. They relied more on the nobles, which led to a shift in power dynamics.

What significant title did Bahadur Shah claim to legitimize his rule?

To legitimize his rule, Bahadur Shah claimed descent from the Prophet and started calling himself Sayyid, also having the name of Ali, the Prophet’s cousin and son-in-law, announced in the Friday sermon.

What major shift occurred in the Mughal Empire when Farrukhsiyar was crowned emperor?

Farrukhsiyar's coronation marked a significant shift in the Mughal Empire as it led to the rise of Indian Muslims in the court, specifically the Sayyid brothers, who were given high positions, changing the power dynamics within the empire.

What was the role of Nizam ul-Mulk in the decline of the Mughal Empire?

Nizam ul-Mulk, a loyal member of Aurangzeb's court, became the Vizier after the downfall of the Sayyid brothers. Although he proposed reforms to fix the empire's problems, his efforts were thwarted by other forces at the court. He eventually left the capital and established his own power base in the Deccan, founding the Asaf Jahi dynasty.

What was the impact of the Marathas on the Mughal Empire after Aurangzeb's death?

After Aurangzeb's death, the Marathas, led by Balaji Vishvanath and later his son Bajirao, regained strength and began raiding North India. By 1739, they controlled almost the entirety of North India, significantly weakening the Mughal Empire.

What event in 1739 demonstrated the Mughal Empire's weakness to the world?

In 1739, the Mughal capital, Delhi, was sacked by the Iranian warlord Nader Shah. He looted the city and even took the Peacock Throne, demonstrating the empire's vulnerability.

How did the Marathas use the Mughal administrative machinery to their advantage?

The Marathas used the Mughal administrative machinery to collect taxes in former Mughal territories. This allowed them to maintain a nominal Mughal presence in North India, which helped them avoid the hassle of governing the region directly.