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.

Outlines

00:00

🏰 The Fall of the Mughal Empire and Succession Wars

The script begins with the death of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir in 1707, marking the end of a 52-year reign and the peak of the Mughal Empire. His sons, unprepared and lacking Aurangzeb's military support, engage in a succession war. The empire's fate is sealed by Aurangzeb's policies, leading to its decline. The video is sponsored by Magellan TV, offering a variety of documentaries. The script then discusses the ascension of Aurangzeb's son, Mu’azzam, who becomes Shahanshah Bahadur Shah, also known as Shah Alam, in 1707. However, he is unable to command the same authority as Aurangzeb, due to a reliance on nobles and a lack of powerful households. His rule is further weakened by his age and the refusal of his sons to be appointed to distant provinces. Shah Alam attempts to legitimize his rule by claiming descent from the Prophet and dies in 1712 after a short reign, characterized by his withdrawal from governance in the last six months.

05:05

🤝 Power Shifts and the Rise of New Rulers

The narrative continues with the rise of Zulfiqar Khan, who places Jahandar, an inexperienced prince, on the throne to serve as a controllable puppet. However, Jahandar's brother Azim ul-Shan challenges this arrangement, leading to a conflict where Zulfiqar Khan eliminates his rivals to secure Jahandar's rule. The script then describes the first execution of nobles who supported other claimants, marking a departure from the previous practice of reintegration. The power dynamics shift as inexperienced princes from the Harem replace the traditional princes who were involved in governance and military affairs. The script also details the ascension and overthrow of Farrukhsiyar, installed by the Sayyid brothers, and the subsequent instability and power struggles within the empire. This period sees a change in the composition of the Mughal court, with Indian Muslims gaining more influence. The power vacuum leads to the rise of regional powers, such as the Nizam ul-Mulk, who eventually establishes the Asaf Jahi dynasty, and the formation of other successor states in Bengal, Awadh, and Punjab.

10:10

🔄 The Fragmentation of the Mughal Empire and Emergence of New Forces

The script outlines the fragmentation of the Mughal Empire by 1730, with its richest provinces gaining independence and various rebellions weakening its control. It discusses the resurgence of the Marathas under Shahu and the strategic appointment of Balaji Vishvanath as Peshwa, which strengthens their position. The Marathas' military campaigns lead to their dominance in North India, resulting in the Mughal Empire's recognition of Maratha control south of the Chambal river. The script also covers the sack of Delhi by Nader Shah in 1739, which exposes the Mughal's vulnerability and leads to further decline. Baji Rao attempts to form a confederation to protect the Mughal Empire, but the Marathas continue to chip away at its territories, using the Mughal administrative system for tax collection.

15:15

📜 The End of Mughal Authority and the Last Emperor's Role

The final paragraph summarizes the deterioration of Mughal authority from Aurangzeb's death in 1707 to the sack of Delhi in 1739, with the empire's control limited to the Red Fort. The script notes that even in 1857, the Mughal name held enough respect for the last emperor to be chosen as the head of the Great Indian Mutiny. For the 120 years between these events, the Mughal emperors were figureheads with little to no real power. The video concludes by inviting viewers to subscribe and support the channel, highlighting the patrons who contribute to its continuation.

Keywords

💡Shahanshah Muhi ad-Din Muhammad Aurangzeb Alamgir

Shahanshah Muhi ad-Din Muhammad Aurangzeb Alamgir was the sixth Mughal Emperor, known for his long reign of 52 years. His death in 1707 marked a significant turning point in the history of the Mughal Empire, as it set off a succession crisis and the eventual decline of the empire. The script describes how the empire reached its zenith under his rule but also how his death led to a power struggle among his sons, signaling the beginning of the empire's downfall.

💡Succession War

A succession war refers to a conflict that arises when a ruler dies, and multiple claimants vie for the throne. In the context of the video, Aurangzeb's death sparked a succession war among his sons, which was smaller in scale than the one Aurangzeb had fought against his own brothers. This war was a key factor in the weakening of the Mughal Empire, as it led to internal strife and a lack of strong centralized leadership.

💡Peacock Throne

The Peacock Throne was a symbol of the Mughal imperial power, and the term is used metaphorically in the script to represent the seat of power in the Mughal Empire. After Aurangzeb's death, his sons fought for the Peacock Throne, indicating their struggle for control over the empire. The script mentions how different contenders, including Jahandar and Farrukhsiyar, ascended to the Peacock Throne, reflecting the power shifts within the empire.

💡Mughal Successor States

Mughal Successor States refers to the regional powers that emerged following the decline of the Mughal Empire. In the script, it is mentioned that states like the Nizam Shahi, led by Nizam ul-Mulk, and the Bengal province under Murshid Quli Khan, became increasingly independent. These successor states were carved out of the former Mughal territories and represented the fragmentation of the once-unified empire.

💡Nizam ul-Mulk

Nizam ul-Mulk was a key figure in the later Mughal period, known for his role as the first vizier under the Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah. He played a significant part in consolidating power in the Deccan region and was later given the title of Asaf Jah, establishing the Asaf Jahi dynasty, which ruled until 1948. The script highlights his rise to power and the establishment of the Nizam Shahi, one of the first Mughal Successor States.

💡Marathas

The Marathas were a prominent power in India, known for their resistance against the Mughal rule and their subsequent expansion. In the script, the Marathas are described as having initially struggled under Aurangzeb's rule but later rebounding and expanding their influence. They played a crucial role in the decline of the Mughal Empire, eventually controlling large parts of North India and sacking Delhi in 1737.

💡Peshwa

The Peshwa was a high-ranking official in the Maratha Empire, akin to a prime minister. The script mentions Balaji Vishvanath and his son Bajirao, who served as Peshwas and significantly contributed to the Maratha's rise to power. Balaji's political acumen and Bajirao's military prowess helped the Marathas consolidate and expand their territories.

💡Great Indian Mutiny

The Great Indian Mutiny, also known as the Indian Rebellion of 1857, was a major uprising against British rule in India. The script notes that even in 1857, the Mughal name held enough respect for the last Mughal emperor to be chosen as the head of the Mutiny. This highlights the enduring legacy and symbolic importance of the Mughal dynasty in Indian history.

💡Red Fort

The Red Fort is a historic fort in Delhi, India, which served as the main residence of the Mughal emperors. In the script, it is mentioned that by the mid-18th century, Mughal authority had deteriorated to the extent that it was limited to the walls of the Red Fort, indicating the significant reduction of their power and influence.

💡Nader Shah

Nader Shah was an Iranian warlord who invaded the Mughal Empire in 1739. The script describes how he sacked Delhi, looted the city, and even took the Peacock Throne, symbolizing a significant humiliation and defeat for the Mughals. His invasion further exposed the weakness of the Mughal Empire and contributed to its decline.

Highlights

Shahanshah Muhi ad-Din Muhammad Aurangzeb Alamgir, who ruled for 52 years, died in 1707, marking the decline of the Mughal Empire.

Aurangzeb's death led to a power struggle among his unprepared sons for the throne.

Magellan TV, a streaming service with over 3,000 documentaries and shows, is sponsoring the video.

Magellan TV offers an extended free month-long trial for Al Muqaddimah viewers.

The Story of Egypt and Meet the Romans are recommended historical documentaries on Magellan TV.

Prince Mu’azzam emerged victorious in the war of succession, becoming Shahanshah Bahadur Shah.

The new emperor relied heavily on nobles, leading to a shift in power dynamics within the empire.

Bahadur Shah's claim to the throne included a descent from the Prophet, adopting the title Sayyid.

Zulfiqar Khan's control over the military led to the installation of inexperienced Jahandar as emperor.

The execution of nobles by Zulfiqar Khan marked a departure from the traditional Mughal practice.

Farrukhsiyar, supported by the Sayyid brothers, seized power in Delhi, leading to the execution of Jahandar and Zulfiqar Khan.

The rise of Indian Muslims in the Mughal court led to a power struggle with Turko-Iranian-Mongols.

Nizam ul-Mulk, a loyal member of Aurangzeb’s court, became Vizier and attempted reforms.

The formation of the Asaf Jahi dynasty marked the first Mughal Successor State.

The rise of Kartalab Khan in Bengal led to the second Mughal Successor State.

The Marathas, under Balaji Vishvanath and later Bajirao, expanded their influence significantly.

The sack of Delhi by Nader Shah in 1739 exposed the Mughal weakness to foreign powers.

The Marathas' control over North India and the conflict with the Sikhs and Afghans marked the end of Mughal authority.

The last Mughal emperor was chosen as the head of the Great Indian Mutiny in 1857.

Transcripts

The Great Mughal Shahanshah Muhi ad-Din Muhammad  Aurangzeb Alamgir had died in 1707 after a long  

reign of 52 years. The empire had hit its peak  under him but now, he was dead and his sons,  

old and untrained, had to pick up the sword  for their claims to the empire. However,  

the fate of the empire had been decided.  Aurangzeb himself had sealed it. The sun  

was setting on the Great Timurid House, once and  for all. North India was about to be up for grabs.

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you can get a free month-long trial to enjoy  these documentaries. Back to the video.

After the death of Aurangzeb Alamgir, there  were three sons who were serious contenders  

for the Peacock throne. In traditional Mughal  fashion, they picked up the sword and went to  

war. This war of succession was much smaller  in scale than the one Aurangzeb had fought  

against his brothers, primarily because his  sons didn’t have the same kind of clout and  

military support that Aurangzeb and his  brothers had had. Out of the three sons,  

Prince Mu’azzam came out on top after  defeating his brothers, Azam and Kam Bakhsh,  

to claim the throne. He took the title of  Shahanshah Bahadur Shah and ascended to  

the throne in 1707. He is also known by the  title of Shah Alam, the Ruler of the World.

However, immediately, it became obvious that  he was no Aurangzeb, partly because Aurangzeb  

made sure of it. None of the princes had  powerful households like Aurangzeb and  

the Mughals before him did. They relied more  on the nobles than the previous Mughals. So,  

the nobles negotiated the distribution of  power with them. One example of this was  

that Zulfiqar Khan, one of Aurangzeb’s most  capable commanders, offered his military  

backing to the emperor if he was appointed  Mir Bakhshi or commander-in-chief. So,  

the emperor was already losing the tug  of war between himself and his vassals.

The emperor was around 64 or 65 years  of age when he came to power and so,  

he was already considerably older than the  previous Mughals. So, everyone was sure that  

he might die any second. As a result, his  sons refused to be appointed to far away  

provinces because if they did so, they’d  be in a weaker position to claim the throne  

than their brothers who remained at court.  This further weakened the next generation.

To legitimize his rule, Bahadur Shah claimed  descent from the Prophet and started calling  

himself Sayyid. Apparently, his maternal  grandfather was a Sayyid, according to some  

sources. He also started having the name of Ali,  the prophet’s cousin and son-in-law, announced in  

the Friday sermon. Ali was, technically,  also his ancestor so, he, by extension,  

had the better right to rule. It was kind of a  thin claim but it didn’t really matter because  

Shahanshah Sayyid Qutb ud-din Muhammad Shah Alam  Bahadur Shah died in 1712, after only five years  

as emperor. His name is longer than his reign  was. Due to the plethora of problems he faced, he  

actually had just given up in the last six months  of his reign and spent most of his time gardening.

Moving on, Zulfiqar Khan, who controlled the  military, installed Bahadur Shah’s son Jahandar  

on the throne. Jahandar was inexperienced  and that’s exactly why he was chosen,  

he would make a more controllable puppet.  However, Jahandar’s more experienced brother,  

Azim ul-Shan, had a problem with it. Zulfiqar Khan  assembled Jahandar and his other inexperienced  

brothers against Azim ul-Shan and defeated  him. Then, he turned on the other inexperienced  

brothers and with no one to challenge him,  secured Jahandar on the Peacock Throne.  

Since he was powerful and wanted more power, he  executed the nobles who had supported the other  

claimants. This was the first time this was done.  Usually, the nobles were forgiven and reintegrated  

into the imperial machinery but not this time.  From this point on, the Mughal emperors would be  

inexperienced princes who had spent their entire  lives in the comfort of the Harem, a total break  

from the older days of the empire when princes  went out, led armies, governed provinces and  

fought for their claims. Now, the tug of war was  no longer between various princes and the vassals,  

now it was merely between vassals. The princes  and later, the emperors, were out of the equation.

This became obvious when in 1712, the same years  as Bahadur Shah’s death and Jahandar’s ascension,  

a rebel army from Bihar went up the Ganges river  and attacked Agra. The army was led in the name of  

Farrukhsiyar, the son of the deceased prince  Azim ul-Shan. However, the real power behind  

Farrukhsiyar were the Sayyid brothers, two Indian  Muslims who were governors of Allahabad and Bihar.  

They had initially supported Azim ul-Shan  but after his death, they supported his son.

After taking Agra, Farrukhsiyar and the Sayyid  brothers moved on Delhi where due to instability,  

the imperial treasury was empty and so, the army  had not been paid in a year. The soldiers refused  

to fight without being paid. To pay them,  Zulfiqar Khan even ordered the gold from  

the palace’s decorations to be stripped  off but it was not enough. The small and  

hastily assembled army was quickly defeated by  Farrukhsiyar and Delhi was taken. Both Jahandar  

and Zulfiqar Khan were executed. Farrukhsiyar  was crowned as emperor and the Sayyid brothers  

were put in two of the empire’s highest  positions, Vizier and Paymaster General.

This coronation marks an important shift  in the Mughal Empire. Up to this point,  

a large percentage of the Mughal court was made up  of Hindu Indians and Muslim Turko-Iranian-Mongols.  

Indian Muslims made a small portion of the  court but now, with the Sayyid brothers  

being Indian Muslims, this was changing. A power  struggle ensued between the Muslims of Turkic,  

Iranian or Mongol descent and the Muslims of  Indian descent. Things got so bad and violent  

that Sayyid Abdullah Khan, the Vizier, had to  travel around Delhi with an army of 4,000 guards.

At the same time, Farrukhsiyar was fully aware  of his limited power and wanted to do whatever  

he could to rid of the Sayyid brothers. However,  while he wasn’t successful in overthrowing them,  

he was more than successful in pissing them  off. On one occasion, the emperor sent one of  

the Sayyid brothers, Hussain Ali Khan, to fight  a rebellious Rajput leader but he sent messages  

to the rebels that if they kill Hussain, he would  pay them. He sent similar messages to the Marathas  

in the Deccan. However, all parties just ignored  the emperor and went on fighting and making deals.

In 1718, the Sayyids decided that they had had  enough and led an army towards Delhi made up,  

in large numbers, of Marathas and  Rajputs. Farrukhsiyar was deposed,  

blinded and executed a few months  later in 1719. Within the same year,  

the empire went through two more emperors,  Rafi al-Darjat and Rafi al-Daulah. Both of  

whom were sick and died within a few weeks of each  other. Finally, another grandson of Bahadur Shah,  

Muhammad Shah was put on the Peacock Throne. He’d  be the last emperor to sit on the Peacock Throne.

Although, he wasn’t completely incapable and  was actually quite a decent ruler. His first  

move was to find and exploit any weaknesses  the Sayyid Brothers had. He got the older  

Turko-Iranian-Mongol Elites to help him. The  Turko-Iranian-Mongol Elites, you know what,  

let’s just call them Khanazads as they were  called back then. The Khanazads organized  

behind a leader who came to be known as Nizam  ul-Mulk. Nizam assassinated Sayyid Hussain Ali  

Khan and then defeated Sayyid Abdullah Khan  when he led an army against them. By 1721, the  

Sayyid Brothers were dead. The next year, Nizam  ul-Mulk was invited to Delhi and appointed Vizier.

Nizam ul-Mulk was a loyal member of  Aurangzeb’s court and was still very  

loyal to the Mughals. He understood the  problems that the empire was facing and  

proposed laws to fix them. He wanted to reduce  corruption by increasingly powerful landholders,  

he wanted to reduce the power of the  vassals by moving them around but  

all of it was left on the table because  other forces at the court stopped him.

After trying for a year to reform the empire,  Nizam ul-Mulk just left the capital in 1723 for,  

what he called, a change of air, and went  to the Deccan, a region he had spent a long  

time in during his service for Aurangzeb. He  defeated the local rebels and established power  

there. For his services, he was given the  title of Asaf Jah by the emperor. Although,  

he never claimed to be independent,  he was, in all but name. In 1763,  

he moved his capital to Hyderabad where  he founded the dynasty called Asaf Jahi.  

His descendants would simply be known  as the Nizams of Hyderabad and would  

continue ruling till 1948. The Nizam Shahi can  be considered the first Mughal Successor State.

The Second Mughal Successor State was being formed  in Bengal. There, another one of Aurangzeb’s  

trusted courtiers was building power. He was named  Kartalab Khan and he actually had been a Brahmin  

Slave who had risen through the ranks and been  appointed governor of Bengal by Aurangzeb. There,  

he performed something of an economic miracle and  reformed the state into the Mughal Empire’s most  

profitable province. For this, he was given  the title of Murshid Quli Khan by Aurangzeb.  

There’s even a city named after him in West Bengal  called Murshidabad. He too continued to recognize  

the Emperor’s authority till his death. His  successors, unlike those of Nizam ul-Mulk,  

did not recognize the emperor’s authority, though.  Similar situations appeared in Awadh and Punjab  

where both local governors gained independence  in all but name. Punjab was of special interest  

because it was a scene of a vigorous war between  the Mughals and the increasingly militarized Sikhs  

who fought valiantly against the oppressive  Mughal governors there. The region around  

the former capital of Agra was taken over by  rebellious Jatts who began raiding and looting  

everything from towns to caravans. To summarize,  by 1730, the empire’s richest provinces were out  

of its control, there were various rebellions  and the empire was all but bankrupt. Powers from  

beyond the borders were circling to pick  up the lost pieces of the Mughal Empire.

To the south, the threat Aurangzeb had failed  to end had come back in a big way. The Marathas  

had struggled but during Aurangzeb’s last years,  they had bounced back. Aurangzeb had captured a  

pretender to the Maratha throne named Shahu who  had been raised in a fully Persianized Mughal  

court. After Aurangzeb’s death in 1707, he was  released with the hopes that he would destabilize  

the Maratha state but he was able to overthrow his  aunt and take the Maratha throne. Then, in 1713,  

he appointed a man named Balaji Vishvanath as  his Peshwa, a Persian term meaning something  

close to Prime Minister. Balaji was a gifted  politician and managed to make deals with the  

Sayyids brothers to collect taxes in the Deccan,  making them the only power, other than the Nizam,  

in the Deccan. Then, after his death in 1720, his  son Bajirao was appointed Peshwa. As gifted as his  

father was in politics, Bajirao was as a warrior.  Marathas began raiding into North India which  

got more and more bold and violent, eventually  reaching the gates of Delhi in 1737. By 1739,  

the Mughals recognized that everything south  of the Chambal river belonged to the Marathas  

putting Mughal border merely 45 kilometers  south of their former capital of Agra.

The same year, in 1739, Delhi was sacked by  the Iranian warlord commonly known as Nader  

Shah. He ravaged everything between Delhi  and Afghanistan before entering and sacking  

the Mughal capital. He looted everything and  even took the great Peacock Throne itself.  

The Mughals weren’t able to do anything. The  weakness of the Mughals was now apparent to  

everyone on the Indian Subcontinent,  from the Marathas to the Europeans.

Baji Rao, however, it seems actually wanted to  preserve the Mughal State. He tried to rally all  

North Indian powers to form a confederation to  protect the Mughal Empire from foreign threats.  

Although, their generals slowly kept chipping  away piece of the Mughal Empire. There were many  

reasons behind this but most important one was  probably that the Marathas weren’t an empire,  

they were a confederation. The members of  the confederation paid a quarter of their  

revenue to the Marathas who protected them. A  nominal Mughal presence in North India would,  

I guess, at least save the Marathas some hassle  of governing that region. A similar deal to the  

rest of the confederation members, was extended  to the Mughals whose administrative machinery  

was used by the Marathas to collect  taxes in former Mughal territories.

By 1760, the Marathas controlled almost the  entirety of North India, all the way to the  

borders of Afghanistan. This also brought  them in conflict with Ahmad Shah Durrani,  

the ruler of Afghanistan. The Durranis were  raiding Punjab regularly. The Marathas fought  

them in one of India’s largest battles  at Panipat in 1761 which the Marathas  

lost. This kept them south of Punjab which  was now being controlled by tribes of the  

Sikhs known as Misls. They kept things together  and eventually formed a great empire in Punjab.

Whatever the case, from Aurangzeb’s death in  1707 to Nader Shah’s sack of Delhi in 1739,  

Mughal authority had deteriorated and was  eventually limited to the walls of the Red  

Fort by the Marathas. Mughals would never be able  to exercise control in India ever again. However,  

even in 1857, the name of the Mughals summoned  enough respect that the last Mughal emperor was  

selected as the head of the Great Indian Mutiny.  For roughly the one hundred & twenty years between  

the sack of Delhi and the Fall of Delhi in  the Great Indian Mutiny, the Mughal Emperors  

were weak puppets. At this point, the story of  India must be told through other perspectives.

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