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I need full answers to my questions of history 2059.
''The coming of the British was the main reason for the decline of the Mughal Empire. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer.''
Well as the CIE scheme wants, the point in the question discussed and then most important and then 3 more points/reasons. So please I need help... :)
 
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According to Level marking, you have to provide 7, well explained reasons. I will provide you with a model answer :

British military strength played a decisive role in the decline of the Mughal Empire. The British soldiers we're better trained and more disciplined, and had access to modern weapons, allowing them to outmatch their Mughal counterparts in the battlefield. As a result, they were able to extend their control over India with little resistance. This expansion resulted in a loss of territory for the Mughal's leading to a decline in revenue collection as well as badly damaging their prestige, hence giving encouragement to discontented groups like the Maratha's etc to rise up. Hence the military might of the British became an important reason for the decline of the Mughal Empire.

British diplomatic strength also played a pivotal role in the Empire's downfall. The British were able to win the support of the local's and this not only allowed them to establish strong trading posts that helped to consolidate their control but also to emerge victorious in key battles e.g the Battle of Plassey etc. As a result, the allegiance of local leaders began to shift away from the Mughal's which lead to the abatement of the throne since local leaders were important in collecting revenue for supporting the treasury and providing soldiers to the Mughal army. Hence the Empire declined.

There were however other reasons as-well.

The absence of any law of primogeniture significantly contributed towards the decline of the Mughal Empire. Whenever an Emperor died, his son's would fight for the throne and strongest contenders would come to power. These wars of succession not only eroded the military strength of the Empire since a good number of soldiers and commander's lost their lives but were also so costly that they almost reduced the Empire to a state of bankruptcy. The dwindling financial and military resources hence contributed towards weakening of the state.

Aurangzeb's Deccan policy gave rise to a relentless Maratha resistance that lasted for more the 25 years. When the Maratha's saw the decline in the power and prestige of the Mughal's, they rose up in rebellion against Aurangzeb and all his efforts to crush their resistance were in vain. These wars weakened the administration since Aurangzeb remained away from his capital for a long time and lost his grip on the government. They were also very expensive and sapped the financial resources of the state, hence contributing towards the downfall of the Empire.

The declining expertise of the Mughal army also weakened the Empire. Due to outmoded weapons and war methods, lack of able generals and complacency amongst soldiers, the army was no longer the fighting force of it used to be. It's weakness encouraged rebellious groups like the Maratha's and Sikh's to rise up against the Mughals. It also invited foreign invasions such as that lead by Nadir Shah and Ahmed Shah Abdali. Hence the ineffectiveness of the army lead to the eventual disintegration of the Empire.

The weak and greedy characteristics of Aurangzeb's successors also brought about the downfall of the Mughal Empire. The Emperor's succeeding Aurangzeb enjoyed an extravagant lifestyle and spent lavishly on their pleasure and comfort. They had little interest in running the Empire and handed the affairs of the state to their ministers who too were corrupt and bent upon increasing their wealth and power. Due to this poor administration and financial inefficiencies, decline was inevitable.

The attack of Nadir Shah also lead to the Empire's downfall. He captured vast amounts of Mughal territory and then plundered Delhi, the Mughal capital, taking with him lots of precious items like the famed Peacock Throne of the Mugahls. This not only badly affected the prestige of the Mughals but also exposed weaknesses in the army, encouraging anti-state actors to rise. Morale became low and the economy and army was badly affected because of the invasion, hence contributing to the downfall of the Mughal's.

I believe that the main reason for the Empire's decline was the inability of Aurangzeb's successors to rule the vast Empire with strength and efficiency. They were incapable leaders and were unable to plug the widening cracks within the Empire and this eventually lead to it's downfall.
 
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Oh what's coming inyoir geography exam?
I have islamiat tomorrow and geography on Tuesday. Eehh!
 
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