Was the arrival of British the main reason for the decline of Mughal empire?

Answer 1

There are several causes for the decline of the Mughal empire. The major reasons are; the decline was gradual and although some historians blame Aurangzeb for sowing the seeds of decline, the empire continued for another 150 years after his death.

Firstly, the nature of the empire that because of its administration. The Mughals had a very huge empire which was very difficult to control because of this the emperor could not know what was happening in every part of the empire. the Mughal empire was huge and within the empire there was an array of different religions. It should also not be forgotten that it was often true that huge sums were wasted when emperors died and there was a succession dispute.

Secondly, because of the weak control as the wealth influence of the nobility grew so that they became highly powerful at court and some of the emperors found it very difficult to control them. With weak control from the centre, the Mansabadari system was not sufficiently supervised and administrative efficiency declined. Discontent grew and revenue from tax collection declined.

Lastly, the arrival of the British. Since the time of Jehangir the English East India Company tried to take advantage of the wealth to be gained by trade with India. England had been the first country to experience the industrial revolution. Its industries were producing cheap manufactured goods which were sold around the world. The weaknesses of the Mughal empire, together with the strength of the British, meant that the fall of one of the mightiest dynasties in history was almost inevitable.

Answer 2

The decline was gradual and although some historians blame Aurangzeb for sowing the seeds of decline, the empire continued for another 150 years after his Death.

Administration:

The Huge empire was very Difficult to administer. Obviously emperors could not know exactly what was happening in every part of the empire. This is one of the reasons why off far provinces such as Bengal Deccan Etc Became Independent. This was one reason why aurangzeb encouraged the use of mansabdars, but Many Problem remained.

Military Costs:

The emperors were continually fighting rebellions, there was always a Pressure to the empire from separatist elements.

Succession:

It should also not be forgotten that it was often true that huge Sums were wasted when emperors died and there was a succession dispute. It was to Avoid costly wars that Aurangzeb decided to divide the empire between his three sons, thus was not successful and succession disputes continued to erode the empire.

Declining military expertise:

The Mughals, who let their army's expertise decline until it was not longer an effective fighting force. When it became obvious that Mughal strength was declining discontented groups within the empire were quick to React.

Pleasure Seeking:

The wealth created by the Mughals also encouraged the nobility to become pleasure loving and degenerate. They betrayed the principles of Islam and instead enjoyed the pleasures brought by the wealth. Fine buildings were a symbol if power and culture, but they were also sometimes so expensive that they were a symbol of Extravagance (Too much Spending)

The Arrival of the British:

The Mughal empire was in serious decline by the end of the eighteenth century. What eventually pushed it into final decline was the ambition of the British. England had been the first country to Experience the industrial revolution, its industries were producing cheap manufactured goods which were sold around the World, the British could afford a Military Strength which the Mughals could not Match.