The Mughal Empire in the Seventeenth Century

Introduction

The impressive reign of Akbar continued for forty-nine years and came to an end with his death in 1605 CE. During Akbar's final years of rule in the seventeenth century, his son Salim or Jahangir rebelled against him but was captured. However, Akbar forgave him, and he was proclaimed as a rightful successor to the throne. Jahangir ruled from 1605 CE-1627 CE. Jahangir then continued the legacy of the Mughals. After Jahangir, the Mughal empire flourished under the reign of Shajahan and later under Aurangzeb. The mighty Mughal Empire started to decline after the death of Aurangzeb in the early eighteenth century under later weak Mughals.

Mughal Empire in the Seventeenth Century and After

During the seventeenth century, administrative and military efficiency led to prosperity in the empire, as recorded by foreign travellers. These travellers called India full of wealth, but at the same time, there was extreme poverty which shows a wide gap or unequal distribution of wealth. For example, 445 out of 8000 were highest-rank Mansabdars, used to extract 66.5 per cent of the total income.

The expenses of Emperors and high-ranking Mansabdar created dual impacts on society. On the one hand, artisans and merchants, who used to provide goods and services to the royal class, benefitted. On the other hand, the pressure of the revenue collection emptied pockets of small peasantry and artisans. So the poor population had to face a subsistence crisis.

During this period, the Mughal elite class, mainly high administrative officials, became more powerful, and with the weakening of the Mughal Empire, these aristocrats started acquiring their independent political identities. And by the eighteenth century, they established their own independent statutes with recognition of the Mughal emperor as their overlord. Such kingdoms included Hyderabad by Qilich Khan, Awadh by Sadat Khan and Bengal by Murshid Quli Khan.

Salient Aspects of the Mughal Empire in the Seventeenth Century

The salient aspects of the Mughal Empire in the seventeenth century included −

• The accession of Akbar's eldest son Salim to the Mughal throne under the title of Jahangir in 1605 CE. The empire they inherited from him was rich, prosperous, and efficiently organized. He continued most of Akbar's policies. He was most famous for his "Golden Chain of Justice" so that the masses could communicate their troubles to him.

• It was during Jahangir's reign that several European trading companies, like Dutch, Portuguese and English, began to come to India to establish their trading relations with the country.

• After the death of Jahangir, the Mughal throne was ascended by Shahryar(son-inlaw of Nur Jahan). However, he was assassinated by Shahjahan.

• Shahjahan came to power in 1628 CE. He is most remembered for his great monuments with distinctive architecture built during his reign. His reign is also called the 'Golden Age of the Mughal Era'. Like his grandfather, he also extended the boundaries of the empire. Although he faced a revolt in Deccan, he managed to crush it by annexing Ahmednagar and forcing Golconda and Bijapur to accept his suzerainty.

• After Shahjajahan, the throne was ascended by Aurangzeb in 1658 CE. During his rule, the Mughal Empire included almost the whole of the Indian subcontinent, like Kashmir in the North, Karnataka in the south and the Hindu Kush in the west to Chittagong in the east. However, this vastness of the empire could not be sustained due to his inefficient administrative policies.

• Throughout the seventeenth century, the Mughal Empire remained powerful under great rulers. But by the end of the seventeenth century, it began to weaken due to Aurangzeb's policies and the inefficiency of later weak Mughals, who could not maintain the Empire like their predecessors.

Mughals Became an Extremely Powerful Group of People in the Late Seventeenth Century

The control of the Mughal Empire of almost the whole of the Indian subcontinent, along with the immense wealth and resources owned by them, made the Mughals an extremely powerful group in the seventeen century. Besides, rulers who held the command of the empire during this period were among the powerful emperors of this dynasty. These rulers, like Jahangir, Shahjahan, and Akbar, with their effective policies, administered and expanded the empire over the vast stretch of the territory.

The Decline of the Mughal Dynasty

During the reign of Aurangzeb, the Mughal Empire got in the way of deterioration. His policies alienated many people and paved the way for revolts by them. The economy also suffered due to the large scale of the revenue imposed on farmers, which worsened their conditions. Even after Aurangzeb's death, the quality of the Mughal rule continued to decline due to weak and inefficient Mughal successors. On the other hand, the nobility became more powerful and gradually started challenging the Mughal authority. Ultimately, taking advantage of all these things, the foreign invaders started invading the Mughal empire; along with this, the foreign trading companies began to interfere in Mughal's political affairs.

State of the Mughal Empire After the 17th Century?

After the death of Aurangzeb, the Mughal Empire faced a quick and imminent decline. Since Aurangzeb left no clear line of succession, the dynasty once again witnessed bloodshed for the throne. A line of weak successors followed who could not eventually keep the empire together.

Without a centralized authority, the rebellious governors declared themselves as independent rulers of their provinces, thus, disintegrating the vast Mughal Empire. Eventually, the power of the Mughal Empire was concentrated only in Delhi and surrounding regions. And the weak Mughal rulers could not stand against the British power. Finally, in 1857 CE, the last Mughal ruler Bahadur Shah Zafar was defeated by the British, thus formally ending the reign of the great Mughal Empire.

Conclusion

The great Mughal Empire, started by Babur in 1526 CE, continued to flourish till the seventeenth century under the abled Mughals like Akbar, Jahangir, Shahjahan and Aurangzeb. The empire reached its significant geographical extent with the whole of the sub-continent under it. But after the seventeenth century, it started moving into the path of deterioration due to incapable weak Mughals after Aurangzeb. Gradually, the Mughal Empire declined by the late eighteenth to the early nineteenth century with the taking charge of power by the regional kingdoms and the English East India Company.

FAQs

Q1. Name the famous travellers of seventeen century India?

Ans. Famous travellers who visited Mughal India were Fa-Hien, Huien Tsang, Fracois Bernier and Captain William Hawkins.

Q2. What was the "Golden chain of Justice"?

Ans. Jahangir installed the w1 "chain of Justice". If any person from Jahangir's administration engaged in corruption in any form, the aggrieved could immediately pull the bell without any fear and gain the immediate attention of the Emperor. The chain was made up of pure gold and was eighty feet long. It comprised sixty bells and weighed around 100 kilograms.

Q3. Who constituted the Mughal elite class?

Ans. Mughal elite class constituted the high-ranking Mansabdars, Jagirdars, and Umara. The ones who had a powerful position in the administration.

Q4. Why is Shahjahan's reign known as the 'Golden era of the Mughal Empire?

Ans. The Shahjahan's reign witnessed undisturbed peace and prosperity without any threat of foreign invasion. At the same time, he utilized most of his resources to carry out welfare works like building roads, canals, and relief measures during natural calamities. He was the Mughal ruler, who is credited with constructing numerous magnificent architecture like the Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Moti Masjid and Jama Masjid, etc.

Q5. What were the main reasons for the uprising in Aurangzeb's reign?

Ans. The reason for the uprising in Aurangzeb's reign was −

• His religious policy offended the sentiment of the Hindu population during his reign.

• His Deccan policy drained out the Mughal treasury and time.

• Rise of corruption in the North due to the prolonged absence of the Emperor.

• Strengthening of the power of Jats and Sikhs.