different parts. While nine Mughal emperors followed one another in quick succession in the 50 years following the death Aurangzeb, many adventurers, Indian and foreign, carved out independent principalities for themselves. Mughal Govenors of Awadh, Bengal and Deccan freed themselves from the control of the Central Government and the Hindu powers found the time opportune for assertion of their independence. Invaders from north-west repeated their incursions in search of wealth and European trading companies dabbled in Indian politics. Notwithstanding all these dangers, external and internal, 50 great had been the prestige of empire under the great Mughals and so strong the Central structure that the dissolution was slow and a long drawn out process. Baji Rao I’s raid of Delhi (1737) and Nadir Shah’s invasion (1739) exposed the hollowness of the Mughal empire and by 1740 the fall of the empire was an accomplished fact, by the close of eighteenth century the empire had shrunk to a few kilometers around Delhi. After the death of Aurangzeb in 1707, a war of succession amongst his three surviving sons, Muazzam, the Governor of Kabul, Azam, the Governor of Gujarat and Kam Baksh, the Governor of Bijapur. Muazzam defeated both Azam at Jajua and Kam Baksh near Hyderabad and ascended the Mughal throne with the name of ‘Bahadur Shah’. He was also known as Shah Alam I.
Bahadur Shah (1707-1772 A.D.): Prince Muazzam emerged, victorious in the war of succession and ascended the throne with the name of Bahadur Shah at the age of 67. He adopted a more tolerant attitude towards Hindus. The Jizyah was withdrawn and independence of Mewar and Marwar was acknowledged, He released Shahu. He gave a high Mansab to Guru Govind Singh. After the death of Guru Govind Singh, Sikhs rebelled under the leadership of Banda Bahadur. During the course of a campaign against Barida, he died in 1712. There was deterioration in the field of administration during his reign. The Mughal historian Khafi Khan gives him the title of “Shah-i-bekhabar”. With the death of Bahadur Shah a new element entered Mughal politics and the war of succession, previously, the contest for power was between the royal princes, the nobles had merely backed and sided with them. Now they became direct aspirants to the throne and began using the princes as pawns to capture authoritarian positions.
Jahandar Shah (1712-1713 A.D.): Jahandar Shah won the war of succession due to the support Zulfiqar Khan, the most powerful Iranian noble of the time. Jahandar Shah was the first puppet ruler in Mughal India. The administration was virtually in the hands of Zulfiqar Khan. He was a clever man and advocated a friendly policy towards Rajputs, Marathas and Hindu Chieftains not only to strengthen his own position but to ensure the survival of the empire. He tried to improve the finance of the empire by checking the reckless growth of jagirs and offices and forced the mansabdars to maintain their official quota of troops. But he also introduced the evil practice of revenue farming or ijarah. Jai Singh of Amber was given the title of Mirza Raja Sawai and Ajit Singh was awarded the title of Maharaja. Shahu was granted to collect the Chauth and Sardeshmukhi of Deccan. Jahandar Shah was defeated at Agra in 1713 by Farrukh Siyar.
Kanwar Khan has talked about his reign-in these words: “The owl dwelt in the eagle’s nest and the crow took the place of nightingale.”
Farrukh Siyar (1713-1719 A.D.): He had succeeded to the throne with the help of Syed Brothers. To repay that obligation, he appointed Syed Abdulah Khan as Wazir and his younger brother Hussain Ali Khan as Mir Bakshi. Zulf'tqar Khan was murdered. Banda Bahadur, the Sikh leader was executed at Delhi. Hussain Ali made a settlement with Balaji Vishwanath by which he made many concessions to the Marathas in return of their active armed assistance in the struggle for supremacy going on in Delhi. In 1719, Syed brothers with the help of Maratha troops killed Farrukh Siyar.
Syed brothers abolished Jizyah completely and the pilgrim tax was also abolished from a number of places.
Rafi-ud-Darj at (1719 A.D.): After Farrukh Siyar, Syed brothers placed him on the throne, but he died of consumption Within four months.
Rafi-ud-Daulah (1719 A.D.): He was placed on the throne with the title of Shah Jahan II by Syed brothers.
Muhammad Shah (1719-1748 A.D.): Muhammad Shah (Roshan Akhtar) also ascended the throne with the help of Syed brothers. A conspiracy was hatched by the nobles against the Syed brothers, who were murdered by the nobles in I720.
Nizam-ul-mulk was appointed the wazir of the empire. But instead of supporting Nizam, the emperor suspected his own ministers. So, Nizam chose to pursue his own ambitions.
Nizam-ul-mulk set up an autonomous state in Deccan. Saadat Khan carved out a state for himself In Avadh while Murshid Quli Khan became virtually independent In Bengal.
The Maratha under Bajirao I raided Delhi in March 1717. Nadir Shah invaded India in 1739. Ahmad Shah Abdali, raided the kingdom for the first time during his reign. His addiction to wine and women got him the nick name "Rangila". He loved dancing and was an expert Kathak dancer. Rustam Ali, The author of Tarik-i-Hind says that "Muhammad Shah was negligent of his duties, even he did not know if he had any duty to perform".
Ahmad Shah (1748-1784 A.D.): He was born to Muhammad Shah through a dancing girl Udham Bai. Ahmad Shah Abdali invaded Delhi many times and Punjab and Multan were ceded to them. The Maratha snatched Malwa and Bundelkhand. His wazir, Imad-ul-Mulk, blinded him and placed Alamgir II on the throne.
Alamgir II (1754-1759 A.D.): Azizuddin took the title of Alamgir II. Ahmad Shah Abdali invaded Delhi. He was murdered by his wazir Imad-ul-mulk.
Shah Alam II (1759 - 1806 A.D.): Prince Ali Gauhar took the title of Shah Alam II. He crowned himself under Sujauddaulah’s protection at Gothauli in Bihar. Another prince Shahjahan III was placed on the throne of Delhi. Shah Alam had to remain in exile for twelve years. He was defeated by British in 1764 at the Battle of Buxar and lived for several years at Allahabad as a pentioner of the East India Company. By the Treaty of Allahabad, the emperor received the territories of Allahabad and Kara and an annual tribute of 26 lakhs from Bengal. By a firman, the emperor confirmed the English gains and granted them Diwani of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. In 1803, the English captured Delhi. Shah Alam died In 1806 as a prisoner .of British.
Akbar Il (1806 - 1837 A.D.): During his reign Raja Ram Mohan Roy went to England.
Bahadur Shah II (1837 – 1862 A.D.): He was the last Mughal Emperor, Lord Dalhousie agreed to recognise Mirza Fakhruddin as heir if they left the Delhi fort and moved to Qutb Minar area. Lord Canning decided to drop the title of king. After the Revolt of 1857, Bahadur Shah was deported to Rangoon where he died in 1862.
Related Questions
1. The head of the military department under the recognised central machinery of administration during Akbar's region ws : -- View Answer2. Which of the following are true about the Manasabdari system?
I. It meant that organisation of civil and military services of the state on the basis of gradation of ranks
II. The word 'mansab' is derived from the Arabic word meaning "fixing the place"
III. Mansab in the Mughal administration fixed the rank, dignity and office of the public servant -- View Answer
3. Which of the following were the features of the Mansabdari system introduced by the Mughals?
1. Periodic inspection of artillery
2. Branding horses
3. Lack of distinction between civil and military departments -- View Answer
4. Which of the following historians were the contemporaries of Akbar?
I. Abul Fazl
II. Badauni
III. Mulla Daud
IV. Nizamuddin Ahmad
V. Muhammad Khan
VI. Abdul Hamid Lahori -- View Answer
5. Which of the following was/were factors that contributed to Humayun's defeat against Sher Shah in 1540?
I. Humayun lacked financial resources for continuous warfare
II. Humayun faced hostility of his brothers
III. Sher Shah had far more courage, political experience and organising capabilities
IV. Humayun had to face several rebellions from his nobles because of which he could not keep an eye on Sher Shah's activities. -- View Answer
6. Match the following:
A. Battle of Haldighati 1. Babur
B. Battle of Bilgram 2. Akbar
C. Second Battle of Panipat 3. Humayun
D. Battle of Khanua 4. Jahangir
The below options are given in A B C D order. -- View Answer
7. Ibadat Khana, where learned men of all religions discussed religious issues during the time of Akbar, is a famous structure in : -- View Answer
8. The word Mansab stood for : -- View Answer
9. Which of the following are true with regard to Akbar?
I. He abolished Jaziya and Pilgrim Tax in 1564 and 1563 A.D. respectively
II. He erected the 'Ibadat Khana' for holding religious discussions
III. His Din-i-Ilahi was a code of social conduct
IV. He got the Khutba to be read in his name in 1574 A.D. -- View Answer
10. Which of the following buildings is not situated at Fatehpur Sikri? -- View Answer
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14. Revolt 1857
