Question

Why did the decline of the vast Mughal Empire start during the reign of Aurangzeb?Think over the reasons.

Answer 1

the decline began during the last days of Aurangzeb.There were many causes for the downfall of this great dynasty

Aurangzeb’s long absence from the capital had given rein to disorder in the north, the Jats had risen near about Agra, the Raj­puts were in open rebellion, the Sikhs challenged the Mughal autho­rity in Multan, the Marathas in the Deccan were pillaging towns, ravaging fields and villages.

The Bundelas and the Satnamis were no exceptions. For all this, Aurangzeb had to thank himself. He had virtues as well vices but nothing influenced his career more than religious bigotry and intolerance. He failed to realize that no power that had not acquired the confidence of, the Hindus could expect to last in India. Naturally, what Akbar had gained and what Jahangir or Shah Jahan despite personal vices and failings had re­tained, he lost, namely, the affection of the Hindus.

It is customary to regard Aurangzeb’s overthrowing of the Mos­lem states of Bijapur and Golkonda mainly because he wanted a triumph over the Sunnis as a cardinal error, for he had thereby re­moved a strong barrier against the rise of the Marathas. But Sir Jadunath is doubtful whether the contrary would have contained the Marathas.

In any case, Aurangzeb’s Deccan policy of prolonged warfare had left the treasury depleted and the pick and flower of the Mughal army decimated. Aurangzeb, therefore, by and large was responsible for bringing the Mughal empire on the greased in­cline of fall and the ruin was round the corner.