Political Turmoil and the Emergence of British Hegemony
Q: Political turmoil after the death of Aurangzeb was one of the factors for the emergence of English Power in India.
The death of Aurangzeb in 1707 acted as a catalyst for the disintegration of the Mughal Empire. The ensuing political vacuum and internal strife created an environment that the English East India Company (EIC) exploited to transition from a trading body to a sovereign power.
Historian Percival Spear noted that the 18th century was a period of "great anarchy," where the decline of central authority invited foreign intervention.
- War of Succession and Weak Monarchy: The absence of a fixed law of succession led to frequent civil wars among Mughal princes. The "Later Mughals" were often puppets in the hands of powerful factions like the Sayyid Brothers, undermining the prestige of the Imperial Crown.
- Rise of Successor States: Provinces like Bengal, Awadh, and Hyderabad became virtually independent. While these states were culturally vibrant, their mutual rivalries allowed the English to play the role of a "kingmaker," most notably during the Battle of Plassey (1757).
- Foreign Invasions: The turmoil was worsened by the invasions of Nadir Shah (1739) and Ahmad Shah Abdali. These raids shattered the military myth of the Mughals and drained the treasury, leaving the subcontinent vulnerable to the disciplined mercantile diplomacy of the British.
In conclusion, the institutional decay following 1707 converted India into a "political chessboard." The English did not conquer a unified India but rather subjugated fragmented territories. For OPSC aspirants, this era exemplifies how internal instability inevitably invites external imperialism.