Later Great Mughals & the Decline
Overview
| Later Mughals Overview | 17th century saw Mughal Empire reach territorial and architectural zenith under Jahangir, Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb. Post-1707 marked by political instability, regional powers, Jagirdari crisis, foreign invasions (Nadir Shah 1739), and eventual collapse after 1857 Revolt. |
1. Jahangir (1605–27 AD)
| 12 Ordinances & Zanjir-i-Adal | Prince Salim; issued 12 Ordinances upon accession. Established Zanjir-i-Adal (Chain of Justice) at Agra Fort. |
| Nur Jahan Junta | Married Mehr-un-Nissa (Nur Jahan) in 1611. She became power behind throne; coins and seals issued in her name. |
| European Relations | Received Captain William Hawkins (1608, granted 400 Mansab) and Sir Thomas Roe (1615, ambassador from King James I securing trade rights at Surat). |
| Painting Zenith & Literature | Reign is "Golden Age of Mughal Painting". Authored autobiography Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri in Persian. |
2. Shah Jahan (1627–58 AD)
| Architectural Zenith | Commissioned Taj Mahal (1632–53), Red Fort (Lal Qila), Jama Masjid (Delhi), and Peacock Throne (Takht-i-Taus with Kohinoor). |
| Deccan Policy & Expansion | Annexed Ahmadnagar (1633); secured suzerainty of Bijapur and Golconda (1636). |
| European Accounts | French travelers Bernier, Tavernier, and Italian Manucci documented court and empire wealth. |
3. War of Succession (1658–59)
| Battle of Dharmat (Apr 1658) | Aurangzeb and Murad defeated imperial forces under Jaswant Singh. |
| Battle of Samugarh (May 1658) | Aurangzeb decisively defeated Dara Shikoh, securing throne. |
| Battle of Deorai (Mar 1659) | Final defeat of Dara Shikoh. |
4. Aurangzeb 'Alamgir' (1658–1707 AD)
| Identity & Maximum Extent | Assumed title Alamgir; known as Zinda Pir (Living Saint). Reached maximum territorial extent annexing Bijapur (1686) and Golconda (1687). |
| Orthodox Reforms & Bans | 1659: Banned Kalma on coins, Nauroj. 1663: Banned Sati custom. 1679: Re-introduced Jizya. Banned court music, Jharokha Darshan, Tuladan. |
| Sikh & Maratha Conflicts | Executed Guru Teg Bahadur (1675), triggering Sikh militarisation under Guru Gobind Singh. Spent last 25 years fighting Marathas in Deccan ("Deccan Ulcer"). |
5. The Later Mughals & Collapse
| Bahadur Shah I & Jahandar Shah | Bahadur Shah I (Shah Alam I) followed reconciliation policy. Jahandar Shah ruled with Zulfiqar Khan, abolishing Jizya. |
| Farrukh Siyar & Sayyid Brothers | Placed on throne by Sayyid Brothers ("King-makers"). |
| Muhammad Shah 'Rangeela' (1719–48) | Invasion of Nadir Shah (1739) who plundered Delhi, taking Peacock Throne and Kohinoor. Independence of Hyderabad, Bengal, Awadh. |
| Shah Alam II & Bahadur Shah II | Shah Alam II lost Battle of Buxar (1764), becoming EIC pensioner. Bahadur Shah Zafar (II) led 1857 Revolt; exiled to Rangoon. |
UPSC High-Yield Recall & PYQ Targets
| Foreign Visitors | Sir Thomas Roe visited Jahangir; Francois Bernier visited Shah Jahan. |
| Re-introduction of Jizya | Re-introduced by Aurangzeb in 1679. |
| Succession War Decisive Battle | Battle of Samugarh (1658) secured throne for Aurangzeb against Dara Shikoh. |
| Nadir Shah Invasion | Invasion in 1739 under Muhammad Shah Rangeela; stole Peacock Throne & Kohinoor. |
Supplemental Asset Directory
- Mughal Zanjir-i-Adl:
- Nur Jahan: Power Behind the Throne:
- Taj Mahal Architectural Breakdown:
- Mughal War of Succession:
- Aurangzeb Deccan Campaign:
- Mughal Decline Factors:
