The Mughal Empire began declining after Aurangzeb’s death in 1707 CE. A mix of military failures, weak rulers, rising regional powers, and British colonial entry led to its fall. By 1857, with the exile of Bahadur Shah II, British rule fully replaced the Mughals.

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• Empire declined rapidly after Aurangzeb’s death in 1707 CE

• Aurangzeb’s harsh religious policies alienated Hindus, sparked resistance

• Nobles fought over power, weakening central authority

• Regional powers like Marathas, Jats, Sikhs rose against Mughals

• Military losses to Nadir Shah, Ahmad Shah Abdali damaged prestige

• Mughal army demoralised, navy neglected, no modernisation

• Economic strain: more nobles, fewer jagirs, rising taxes on peasants

• Internal wars, luxury spending drained imperial treasury

• British and other Europeans exploited political and military vacuum

• Empire ended after 1857 Revolt; last Mughal emperor exiled