What were the reasons for the decline of the Mughal Empire?

Answer 1

The decline was gradual and although some historians blame Aurangzeb for sowing the seeds of decline, the empire continued for another 150 years after his death. There are several causes for the decline of the Mughal empire. The major reasons are:

1. The government of the Mughals was a personal despotism and so its success depended on the character of the reigning autocrat. The later Mughals were worthless and neglected the administration of the state.
2. With the absence of a definite law of succession, there always occurred a war of succession; this weakened the stability of the government, and fostered partisanship at the cost of patriotism.
3. The degeneration of the rulers led to the degeneration of the nobility, with factious quarrels and intrigues costing the empire heavily.
4. The deterioration of the army also proved disastrous for the empire.
5. The empire had become too vast and unwieldy to be efficiently governed from a central authority under weak rulers, especially in the medieval conditions of transport and communication.
6. Aurangzeb's religious policy was largely responsible, causing revolts by Rajputs, Sikhs, Jats and Marathas.
7. Aurangzeb's Deccan Policy was a complete failure and to a major extent caused the downfall of the Mughal empire.
8. Invasions of Irani and Durrani kingdoms gave a death-blow to the Mughal empire.
9. Lastly, the arrival of the British. Since the time of Jehangir the English East India Company tried to take advantage of the wealth to be gained by trade with India. England had been the first country to experience the industrial revolution. Its industries were producing cheap manufactured goods which were sold around the world. The weaknesses of the Mughal empire, together with the strength of the British, meant that the fall of one of the mightiest dynasties in history was almost inevitable.