1.2 Later Mughal Emperors

1. Chronological Table: The Later Mughals

2. Analytical Breakdown: Decline and Fragmentation

The collapse of the Mughal central authority was not a single event but a systemic failure driven by internal decay and external shocks.

• The Jagirdari Crisis and Factionalism: A fatal lack of primogeniture laws led to draining wars of succession among royal princes. Instead of the "survival of the fittest," the Later Mughal era became the "survival of the weakest". The nobility fractured into bitter ethno-religious factions (Turani, Irani, Hindustani) competing for a shrinking pool of jagirs (land grants) to sustain their luxurious lifestyles.
• The Era of the "King Makers" (The Sayyid Brothers): Real power shifted from the throne to ambitious nobles. Abdullah Khan and Hussain Ali (the Sayyid brothers) represented the peak of this trend, controlling the empire from 1713 to 1720. They installed Farrukhsiyar, later murdered him in 1719, and placed several puppet emperors on the throne until Muhammad Shah overthrew them. This normalized the concept of emperors acting merely as figureheads.
• Foreign Invasions as the Death Blow:
  • Nadir Shah (1739): The Persian ruler defeated Muhammad Shah at the Battle of Karnal, massacring the citizens of Delhi and looting immense wealth (including the Peacock Throne and Kohinoor diamond). This devastating 57-day occupation completely shattered the illusion of Mughal invincibility and decentralized power.
  • Ahmad Shah Abdali (1748–1767): Nadir Shah's successor launched multiple invasions, seizing Punjab and severely weakening local resistance. His victory in the Third Battle of Panipat (1761) crushed the Maratha attempt to replace the Mughals, creating a strategic power vacuum that the British East India Company ultimately filled.

3. The Telangana/Hyderabad Connection: The Rise of the Asaf Jahi Dynasty

For TGPSC aspirants, the transition of Hyderabad from a Mughal Subah to an independent state is critical.

• The Role of Nizam-ul-Mulk (Chin Qilich Khan/Asaf Jah): Originally a powerful noble of the Turani faction in the Mughal court, Nizam-ul-Mulk was appointed Wazir by Muhammad Shah in 1722.
• Disillusionment with Delhi: Frustrated by the emperor's frivolous lifestyle ('Rangeela') and the constant factional intrigues, Nizam-ul-Mulk realized the Mughal center was beyond saving. He decided to strategically distance himself to preserve his own legacy.
• Battle of Shakr-Kheda (1724): He marched to the Deccan and defeated the local Mughal governor, Mubariz Khan, at the Battle of Shakr-Kheda in 1724.
• De Facto Independence: Acknowledging his inability to control the situation, the Mughal emperor formally granted him the title "Asaf Jah" and recognized him as the Viceroy of the Deccan in 1725. While the Nizam never formally declared independence and maintained a symbolic allegiance to the Mughal Emperor, he effectively ruled Hyderabad as a sovereign state, appointing mansabdars and granting jagirs without Delhi's interference. This laid the permanent foundation for the Asaf Jahi dynasty that ruled Telangana until 1948.

4. Exam-Focused Pattern Analysis

Potential 'Statement-Based' Questions:

• Question 1: Consider the following statements regarding the Later Mughals: I. Jahandar Shah abolished the Jizya tax and introduced the Ijarah system to improve imperial finances. II. Farrukhsiyar was the first Mughal emperor to be killed by his own nobles. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (Answer: Both are correct)
• Question 2: Regarding the establishment of the Hyderabad State: I. Nizam-ul-Mulk officially declared himself completely independent and severed all ties with the Mughal Emperor. II. He secured his control over the Deccan after defeating Mubariz Khan in the Battle of Shakr-Kheda (1724). Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (Answer: Only II. He never formally severed ties with the Mughal Emperor).
• Question 3: Consider the following statements about the Battle of Buxar: I. It was fought during the reign of Shah Alam II. II. It resulted in the East India Company obtaining Diwani rights over Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (Answer: Both are correct).

Common Traps to Avoid:

1. Confusing "King Makers" and Puppet Rulers: Students often confuse Zulfiqar Khan (who installed Jahandar Shah) with the Sayyid Brothers (who installed Farrukhsiyar and subsequent rulers).
2. Misattributing the "Royal Farman": The 1717 Farman granting extensive trade privileges to the EIC is frequently misattributed to Jahandar Shah or Bahadur Shah. It was strictly issued by Farrukhsiyar.
3. Mixing up the Timeline of Battles: Aspirants often mix up the emperors during major battles. Remember: The Battle of Karnal (1739) happened under Muhammad Shah, the Battle of Plassey (1757) under Alamgir II, and the Battles of Panipat III (1761) and Buxar (1764) under Shah Alam II.

High-Yield Keywords for Revision:

• Ijarah (Revenue Farming): A controversial contractual revenue collection system introduced to improve state finances, leading to agrarian ruin.
• Jagirdari Crisis: The fatal shortage of land grants (jagirs) due to an inflated number of nobles (mansabdars), leading to factional infighting.
• Chauth and Sardeshmukhi: Taxes demanded by Marathas representing 25% and 10% of revenue respectively, heavily negotiated with later Mughal rulers like Jahandar Shah and Bahadur Shah I.
• Treaty of Allahabad (1765): The document where Shah Alam II surrendered the financial sovereignty (Diwani) of Bengal to the EIC, officially rendering the Mughal Emperor a pensioner.
• Succession States vs. Rebel States: Differentiating states created by former Mughal governors (Hyderabad, Bengal, Awadh) from those carved out by rebel factions (Marathas, Sikhs, Jats).