Disintegration of the Mughal Empire Notes with PDF
These notes are your ultimate revision weapon to revise Disintegration of the Mughal Empire. We’ve distilled years of previous exam questions (PYQs) into one powerful, concise resource. Everything you need to know, nothing you don’t.
- PYQs, Decoded: All key concepts from past exams, organized and simplified.
- Revise in Record Time: Short, precise, and designed for last-minute review.
- Focus on What Matters: Master high-probability topics and boost your confidence.
- Free PDF to download.
You'll Read
The Later Mughal Empire (1707-1857)
1. Sequence of Later Mughal Emperors and Key Events
| Emperor & Reign | Key Facts & Events |
|---|---|
| Bahadur Shah I (1707-1712) |
• Succeeded his father Aurangzeb after his death in 1707. • Original name was Muazzam. • Was 63 years old when he became emperor. |
| Jahandar Shah (1712-1713) |
• Reign was short and marked by incompetence; perceived as a “lewd moron.” • Placed on the throne with the help of Amir Zulfiqar Khan. • Defeated and killed by his nephew, Farrukh Siyar, in 1713. |
| Farrukh Siyar (1713-1719) |
• Defeated and killed his uncle, Jahandar Shah, to become emperor. • In 1717, granted the British East India Company the crucial farman (edict) for duty-free trade in Bengal in exchange for an annual payment of 3000 rupees. |
| Muhammad Shah (1719-1748) |
• Also known as ‘Rangeela’ for his pleasure-seeking nature (wine, beauty, animal fights). • His court was dominated by eunuchs and ladies. • Was the emperor during the invasion of Nadir Shah in 1739. • Last Mughal emperor to sit on the Peacock Throne, which was looted by Nadir Shah. • Nadir Shah’s invasion resulted in a massive loss of wealth, including the Kohinoor diamond. |
| Ahmad Shah (1748-1754) |
• Succeeded Muhammad Shah. |
| Alamgir II (1754-1759) |
• Succeeded Ahmad Shah. |
| Shah Alam II (1759-1806) |
• Original name was Ali Gauhar. • Initially prevented from entering Delhi by his Wazir, Ghaziuddin. • With Maratha help, he finally entered Delhi in 1772. • During his reign, the British captured Delhi in 1803. |
| Akbar II (1806-1837) |
• Father of the last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar. |
| Bahadur Shah Zafar (1837-1857) |
• The last Mughal Emperor of India. • A pensioner of the British East India Company, presiding over a nominal court at the Red Fort. • His pension was 1 lakh rupees per month, plus allowances. • A poet, taught by Ibrahim Zauq and Asad Ullah Khan Ghalib; his spiritual guide was Hasan Askari. • Died in 1862. |
2. Rise of Regional Powers
Independent Kingdoms Emerging from the Mughal Empire
| Kingdom | Founder & Key Details |
|---|---|
| Awadh (Oudh) | • Founder: Saadat Khan (ruled from 1722). • One of the first provinces to become independent from the Mughal Empire. |
| Hyderabad | • Founder: Chin Qilich Khan (Nizam-ul-Mulk) in 1724. • Founded after the Battle of Shakur-Khera, where he defeated the Mughal governor Mubarij Khan. |
Clarifications on Other States
- Mysore Kingdom: Emerged from the Vijayanagara Empire, not the Mughal Empire.
- Rohilkhand Kingdom: Formed in 1739 by Ali Muhammad Khan after Nadir Shah’s invasion. It was not formed from territories occupied by Ahmad Shah Durrani.
- Nizamat of Arcot: Was a Mughal dependency, not an offshoot of the Hyderabad state.
3. Cultural and Scientific Developments
Astronomy under Sawai Jai Singh II
- Who: Sawai Jai Singh II was the Rajput ruler of Amber (Jaipur) in the 18th century.
- Contributions:
- A renowned astronomer who built several observatories called Jantar Mantar.
- Locations of Observatories: Delhi, Jaipur, Ujjain, Mathura, and Varanasi. (He did not build one in Allahabad).
- Authored an astronomical table titled ‘Jiz Muhammad Shahi’ in 1773.
- Translated Euclid’s “Geometry” into Sanskrit.
- Other Achievements:
- Founded the city of Jaipur.
- Performed two Ashwamedh sacrifices during his reign.
Know More About the Disintegration of the Mughal Empire: