O Level Pak Studies PAGE 1 History Section 1
DOWNFALL OF MUGHAL EMPIRE
Question 1 J2020/P1/Q2/C
Were the policies of Aurangzeb the main reason for the decline of the
Mughal Empire? Explain your answer. [14]
Mughal empire was ruled over a vast area of the subcontinent by Muslims. The
Mughal dynasty started in 1526 with the accession of babar. Aurangzeb was
the one who strengthened the Mughal empire and he was also responsible for
its decline. It took 150 years after the death of Aurangzeb in 1707 for decline
of Mughal empire.
Aurangzeb re-imposed JIZYA TAX on non muslims. He imposed jizya on non
muslims for them to pay money if they wanted their rights and protection.
However, instead of giving protection to non muslims, he banned their culture
and burnt many temples. Non muslims were converted to muslim by force and
they were also removed by the top posts. Aurangzeb divided the empire into
districts and appointed separate mansabdars in each district. Mansabdars
responsibility was to collect taxes and administer. Unfortunately these
mansabdars were corrupt and used the taxes for unfair means. As soon as he
ascended the throne, he started the introduction of reforms which made his
dominion a truly Islamic state, and which pleased the orthodox muslims. He
appointed censors of public morals in all important cities to enforce Islamic laws
and to put down unislamic practices such as drinking, gambling and prostitution.
There was always a succession dispute when a ruler dies because there was no
law of succession. Only Akbar came to throne without fighting. Aurangzeb
divided his empire among his sons to before his death to avoid any conflict. But
after his death, his sons fought for power. Due to this conditions worsened,
not only causing disunity but also there was a loss of lives, money and army.
Succession often depended upon the ability of the candidates to gain support,
such rulers may have been popular but they did not necessarily have the skills
to run a large empire.
Mughal rulers were always pleasure seeking and they were fond of luxuries. They
wasted their time and money in luxuries instead of administering the empire.
,O Level Pak Studies PAGE 2 History Section 1
Aurangzeb spent an enormous amount of money for the construction of the
PEARL MOSQUE in delhi. This also set a bad example to the future successors.
The successors were busy in women drinking and gambling. They become neglect
of their duties and were moving away from the Islamic teachings. Mughal
Emperors were renowned for living an extravagant lifestyle and spending money
without regard to the effect on the economy of the Empire.
The marathan forces had become quite powerful, constantly causing difficulty
to the Mughal.The Marathas were skilful Hindu guerrilla fighters who defeated
a Mughal army in 1737 and took control of Delhi and eastwards towards Bengal.
By 1760 they were the most powerful people in India and nothing could the
Mughals do to stop it. By 1760s marathas had also spread and turned out to
be a big problem for the empire until their advancement towards DELHI.
In 1738 Nadir Shah of Persia invaded India and took the KOHINOOR DIAMOND
and the ROYAL PEACOCK THRONE. After which he plundered the cities and
left them burnt. The Persians under Nadir Shah captured much of the Empire’s
wealth and returned home with gold, jewels and the Peacock throne from Delhi.
In 1761 Ahmed Shah Abdali from Afghanistan invaded India. The Afghans under
the leadership of Ahmad Shah Abdali defeated the Marathas at Panipat. They
had been in control of much of the Empire for some time. The Afghans however
were unable to make the most of their victory and returned to Kabul. However
they were able to invade the Empire a number of times during the 18th
Century.
As Mughal empire was declining, British took advantage and entered into the
sub-continent. British liked the Mughal treasury so the british played a game.
First they entered as a trading company. British then introduced policies and
entered into the politics. The british were developed and prepared due to
industrial revolution. British expansion into the subcontinent was rapid. They
were experienced in warfare and had many weapons and other resources, so
they were difficult to defeat. British won war of independence of 1857 which
marked the end of Mughal rule.
,O Level Pak Studies PAGE 3 History Section 1
I do not agree with the statement. Although policies of Aurangzeb was one of
the main reason for the decline of Mughal empire but in my opinion the most
important reason which contribute to the downfall of Mughal empire was arrival
of British.
Question 2 N2019/P1/Q2/B
Explain why the Mughal Empire declined following the death of Aurangzeb.
[7]
There was always a succession dispute when a ruler dies because there was no
law of succession. Only Akbar came to throne without fighting. Aurangzeb
divided his empire among his sons to before his death to avoid any conflict. But
after his death, his sons fought for power. Due to this conditions worsened,
not only causing disunity but also there was a loss of lives, money and army.
Succession often depended upon the ability of the candidates to gain support,
such rulers may have been popular but they did not necessarily have the skills
to run a large empire
Mughal rulers were always pleasure seeking and they were fond of luxuries. They
wasted their time and money in luxuries instead of administering the empire.
Aurangzeb spent an enormous amount of money for the construction of the
PEARL MOSQUE in delhi. This also set a bad example to the future successors.
The successors were busy in women drinking and gambling. They become neglect
of their duties and were moving away from the Islamic teachings. Mughal
Emperors were renowned for living an extravagant lifestyle and spending money
without regard to the effect on the economy of the Empire.
During the rule of Aurangzeb, they kept on capturing lands under their expansion
policy. Mughal empire extended from Afghanistan to Assam and from Kashmir
to Mysore.They could not manage these areas because areas were very large. A
single ruler could not handle the responsibility because it was an issue to travel
to different parts of the empire. After Aurangzeb’s death, his sons were not
capable to administer the empire. Since the citizens of empire had too many
problems it was difficult for single ruler to handle such situation. A single ruler
could not handle the responsibility because it was an issue to travel to different
, O Level Pak Studies PAGE 4 History Section 1
parts of the empire. Several invasions weakened it further so eventually the
British were able to take control.
Question 3 N2018/P1/Q2/C
Was British expansion in India the most important reason for the decline
of the Mughal Empire? Explain your answer. [14]
Mughal empire was ruled over a vast area of the subcontinent by Muslims. The
Mughal dynasty started in 1526 with the accession of babar. Aurangzeb was
the one who strengthened the Mughal empire and he was also responsible for
its decline. It took 150 years after the death of Aurangzeb in 1707 for decline
of Mughal empire.
As Mughal empire was declining, British took advantage and entered into the
sub-continent. British liked the Mughal treasury so the british played a game.
First they entered as a trading company. British then introduced policies and
entered into the politics. The british were developed and prepared due to
industrial revolution. British expansion into the subcontinent was rapid. They
were experienced in warfare and had many weapons and other resources, so
they were difficult to defeat. British won war of independence of 1857 which
marked the end of Mughal rule.
Aurangzeb re-imposed JIZYA TAX on non muslims. He imposed jizya on non
muslims for them to pay money if they wanted their rights and protection.
However, instead of giving protection to non muslims, he banned their culture
and burnt many temples. Non muslims were converted to muslim by force and
they were also removed by the top posts. Aurangzeb divided the empire into
districts and appointed separate mansabdars in each district. Mansabdars
responsibility was to collect taxes and administer. Unfortunately these
mansabdars were corrupt and used the taxes for unfair means. As soon as he
ascended the throne, he started the introduction of reforms which made his
dominion a truly Islamic state, and which pleased the orthodox muslims. He
appointed censors of public morals in all important cities to enforce Islamic laws
and to put down unislamic practices such as drinking, gambling and prostitution.
DOWNFALL OF MUGHAL EMPIRE
Question 1 J2020/P1/Q2/C
Were the policies of Aurangzeb the main reason for the decline of the
Mughal Empire? Explain your answer. [14]
Mughal empire was ruled over a vast area of the subcontinent by Muslims. The
Mughal dynasty started in 1526 with the accession of babar. Aurangzeb was
the one who strengthened the Mughal empire and he was also responsible for
its decline. It took 150 years after the death of Aurangzeb in 1707 for decline
of Mughal empire.
Aurangzeb re-imposed JIZYA TAX on non muslims. He imposed jizya on non
muslims for them to pay money if they wanted their rights and protection.
However, instead of giving protection to non muslims, he banned their culture
and burnt many temples. Non muslims were converted to muslim by force and
they were also removed by the top posts. Aurangzeb divided the empire into
districts and appointed separate mansabdars in each district. Mansabdars
responsibility was to collect taxes and administer. Unfortunately these
mansabdars were corrupt and used the taxes for unfair means. As soon as he
ascended the throne, he started the introduction of reforms which made his
dominion a truly Islamic state, and which pleased the orthodox muslims. He
appointed censors of public morals in all important cities to enforce Islamic laws
and to put down unislamic practices such as drinking, gambling and prostitution.
There was always a succession dispute when a ruler dies because there was no
law of succession. Only Akbar came to throne without fighting. Aurangzeb
divided his empire among his sons to before his death to avoid any conflict. But
after his death, his sons fought for power. Due to this conditions worsened,
not only causing disunity but also there was a loss of lives, money and army.
Succession often depended upon the ability of the candidates to gain support,
such rulers may have been popular but they did not necessarily have the skills
to run a large empire.
Mughal rulers were always pleasure seeking and they were fond of luxuries. They
wasted their time and money in luxuries instead of administering the empire.
,O Level Pak Studies PAGE 2 History Section 1
Aurangzeb spent an enormous amount of money for the construction of the
PEARL MOSQUE in delhi. This also set a bad example to the future successors.
The successors were busy in women drinking and gambling. They become neglect
of their duties and were moving away from the Islamic teachings. Mughal
Emperors were renowned for living an extravagant lifestyle and spending money
without regard to the effect on the economy of the Empire.
The marathan forces had become quite powerful, constantly causing difficulty
to the Mughal.The Marathas were skilful Hindu guerrilla fighters who defeated
a Mughal army in 1737 and took control of Delhi and eastwards towards Bengal.
By 1760 they were the most powerful people in India and nothing could the
Mughals do to stop it. By 1760s marathas had also spread and turned out to
be a big problem for the empire until their advancement towards DELHI.
In 1738 Nadir Shah of Persia invaded India and took the KOHINOOR DIAMOND
and the ROYAL PEACOCK THRONE. After which he plundered the cities and
left them burnt. The Persians under Nadir Shah captured much of the Empire’s
wealth and returned home with gold, jewels and the Peacock throne from Delhi.
In 1761 Ahmed Shah Abdali from Afghanistan invaded India. The Afghans under
the leadership of Ahmad Shah Abdali defeated the Marathas at Panipat. They
had been in control of much of the Empire for some time. The Afghans however
were unable to make the most of their victory and returned to Kabul. However
they were able to invade the Empire a number of times during the 18th
Century.
As Mughal empire was declining, British took advantage and entered into the
sub-continent. British liked the Mughal treasury so the british played a game.
First they entered as a trading company. British then introduced policies and
entered into the politics. The british were developed and prepared due to
industrial revolution. British expansion into the subcontinent was rapid. They
were experienced in warfare and had many weapons and other resources, so
they were difficult to defeat. British won war of independence of 1857 which
marked the end of Mughal rule.
,O Level Pak Studies PAGE 3 History Section 1
I do not agree with the statement. Although policies of Aurangzeb was one of
the main reason for the decline of Mughal empire but in my opinion the most
important reason which contribute to the downfall of Mughal empire was arrival
of British.
Question 2 N2019/P1/Q2/B
Explain why the Mughal Empire declined following the death of Aurangzeb.
[7]
There was always a succession dispute when a ruler dies because there was no
law of succession. Only Akbar came to throne without fighting. Aurangzeb
divided his empire among his sons to before his death to avoid any conflict. But
after his death, his sons fought for power. Due to this conditions worsened,
not only causing disunity but also there was a loss of lives, money and army.
Succession often depended upon the ability of the candidates to gain support,
such rulers may have been popular but they did not necessarily have the skills
to run a large empire
Mughal rulers were always pleasure seeking and they were fond of luxuries. They
wasted their time and money in luxuries instead of administering the empire.
Aurangzeb spent an enormous amount of money for the construction of the
PEARL MOSQUE in delhi. This also set a bad example to the future successors.
The successors were busy in women drinking and gambling. They become neglect
of their duties and were moving away from the Islamic teachings. Mughal
Emperors were renowned for living an extravagant lifestyle and spending money
without regard to the effect on the economy of the Empire.
During the rule of Aurangzeb, they kept on capturing lands under their expansion
policy. Mughal empire extended from Afghanistan to Assam and from Kashmir
to Mysore.They could not manage these areas because areas were very large. A
single ruler could not handle the responsibility because it was an issue to travel
to different parts of the empire. After Aurangzeb’s death, his sons were not
capable to administer the empire. Since the citizens of empire had too many
problems it was difficult for single ruler to handle such situation. A single ruler
could not handle the responsibility because it was an issue to travel to different
, O Level Pak Studies PAGE 4 History Section 1
parts of the empire. Several invasions weakened it further so eventually the
British were able to take control.
Question 3 N2018/P1/Q2/C
Was British expansion in India the most important reason for the decline
of the Mughal Empire? Explain your answer. [14]
Mughal empire was ruled over a vast area of the subcontinent by Muslims. The
Mughal dynasty started in 1526 with the accession of babar. Aurangzeb was
the one who strengthened the Mughal empire and he was also responsible for
its decline. It took 150 years after the death of Aurangzeb in 1707 for decline
of Mughal empire.
As Mughal empire was declining, British took advantage and entered into the
sub-continent. British liked the Mughal treasury so the british played a game.
First they entered as a trading company. British then introduced policies and
entered into the politics. The british were developed and prepared due to
industrial revolution. British expansion into the subcontinent was rapid. They
were experienced in warfare and had many weapons and other resources, so
they were difficult to defeat. British won war of independence of 1857 which
marked the end of Mughal rule.
Aurangzeb re-imposed JIZYA TAX on non muslims. He imposed jizya on non
muslims for them to pay money if they wanted their rights and protection.
However, instead of giving protection to non muslims, he banned their culture
and burnt many temples. Non muslims were converted to muslim by force and
they were also removed by the top posts. Aurangzeb divided the empire into
districts and appointed separate mansabdars in each district. Mansabdars
responsibility was to collect taxes and administer. Unfortunately these
mansabdars were corrupt and used the taxes for unfair means. As soon as he
ascended the throne, he started the introduction of reforms which made his
dominion a truly Islamic state, and which pleased the orthodox muslims. He
appointed censors of public morals in all important cities to enforce Islamic laws
and to put down unislamic practices such as drinking, gambling and prostitution.
