Later Mughal Kings (1707–1857)

Introduction: After Aurangzeb’s death in 1707, the Mughal Empire entered a phase of decline. Successors were weak, often short-lived, and dependent on nobles, regional powers, and later the British. Despite political instability, arts and culture flourished.

Key Features:

• Weak emperors with short reigns; succession disputes frequent.
• Influence of nobles, Sayyid Brothers, Marathas, and Europeans.
• Decline of central authority, finances, and military.
• Arts, music, and literature patronage continued.
• Gradual territorial losses to Marathas, Sikhs, and British.

Causes of Decline:

• Court intrigues and factionalism.
• Weak leadership and short reigns.
• Financial strain and lavish spending.
• External invasions and regional uprisings.
• Rise of European trading companies, especially the British.

Bahadur Shah I (1707–1712)

Personal Life: Son of Aurangzeb, moderate in religion.

Administration: Tried to restore order, reconciled with Rajputs and Marathas.

Achievements: Reduced harsh policies, temporarily stabilized empire.

Failures: Could not control powerful nobles; short reign.

Jahandar Shah (1712–1713)

Personal Life: Indulgent lifestyle; influenced by wife Lal Kunwar.

Administration: Weak; nobles dominated politics.

Achievements: None due to very short reign.

Failures: Overthrown by nephew Farrukhsiyar.

Farrukhsiyar (1713–1719)

Personal Life: Grandson of Bahadur Shah I.

Administration: Dependent on Sayyid Brothers.

Achievements: Initially restored some court order.

Failures: Puppet of Sayyid Brothers; assassinated in palace intrigue.

Rafi ud-Darajat (1719)

Personal Life: Weak and sickly emperor.

Administration: Real power with Sayyid Brothers.

Achievements: None due to short reign.

Failures: Died within a few months; puppet ruler.

Shah Jahan II / Rafi ud-Daulah (1719)

Personal Life: Weak and ill emperor; grandson of Bahadur Shah I.

Administration: Sayyid Brothers controlled the empire.

Achievements: None notable.

Failures: Died few months after accession.

Muhammad Shah “Rangeela” (1719–1748)

Personal Life: Loved arts, music, and luxury.

Administration: Weak central authority; nobles powerful.

Achievements: Golden age of Mughal painting and music.

Failures: Faced Nadir Shah’s invasion; empire fragmented.

Ahmad Shah Bahadur (1748–1754)

Personal Life: Son of Muhammad Shah; weak and careless.

Administration: Court intrigues dominated; weak governance.

Achievements: None significant.

Failures: Could not control Marathas; deposed by his commander.

Alamgir II (1754–1759)

Personal Life: Weak, puppet ruler under nobles and Marathas.

Administration: Real power with nobles and Marathas.

Achievements: None notable.

Failures: Assassinated; unable to stop Maratha dominance.

Shah Alam II (1759–1806)

Personal Life: Ali Gohar; exiled multiple times.

Administration: Tried to regain authority; faced Marathas and British.

Achievements: Symbolic leader; attempted reforms.

Failures: Defeated at Battle of Buxar; ceremonial power only.

Akbar Shah II (1806–1837)

Personal Life: Son of Shah Alam II; weak figurehead.

Administration: Real power under British East India Company.

Achievements: Patron of Urdu literature.

Failures: No political power; ceremonial only.

Bahadur Shah II “Zafar” (1837–1857)

Personal Life: Last Mughal emperor; Sufi poet.

Administration: Figurehead under British; no real control.

Achievements: Symbolic leader of 1857 revolt; Urdu poet.

Failures: Defeated by British; exiled to Rangoon; end of Mughal Empire.

Summary – Key Features & Causes of Decline:

• Later Mughal emperors were mostly weak figureheads.
• Real power rested with nobles, regional rulers, or the British East India Company.
• Frequent court intrigues and assassinations destabilized the empire.
• External invasions, financial strain, and territorial losses accelerated decline.
• Despite decline, arts, music, and culture flourished under patronage.