Who Ruled Delhi After Aurangzeb?

The death of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1707 marked a significant turning point in Indian history. His reign had been characterized by expansionism, centralized control, and the imposition of Islamic orthodoxy. However, the cracks in the mighty Mughal Empire had already started to show due to constant wars, administrative inefficiency, and growing dissatisfaction among the populace. Aurangzeb’s prolonged military campaigns in the Deccan, particularly against the Marathas, had drained the empire’s treasury and weakened its military strength. The Marathas, under leaders like Shivaji and later his successors, emerged as a powerful force that relentlessly challenged Mughal authority. Similarly, the Sikh community in Punjab, which had been subjected to severe repression during Aurangzeb’s rule, began to rise under dynamic leaders like Guru Gobind Singh and Banda Singh Bahadur, launching rebellions that further destabilized Mughal control. After Aurangzeb, the Mughal Empire began to decline rapidly, as these growing external pressures from the Marathas and Sikhs, coupled with internal strife, accelerated its fragmentation. The power dynamics in Delhi and India shifted significantly. The city of Delhi, the heart of the Mughal Empire, saw a series of rulers, invasions, and power struggles in the years that followed. This article explores who ruled Delhi after Aurangzeb, focusing on the rulers and the political landscape of the city.

Aurangzeb’s Death and the Succession Crisis

Aurangzeb died in 1707, leaving behind a vast but crumbling empire and no clear successor. His death triggered a fierce war of succession among his three surviving sons: Bahadur Shah (Muazzam), Muhammad Azam, and Kam Baksh. After a bloody struggle, Bahadur Shah emerged victorious and ascended the throne as Bahadur Shah I.

Bahadur Shah I (1707–1712)

Bahadur Shah I, also known as Shah Alam I, was a pragmatic ruler who sought to stabilize the empire after years of unrest under Aurangzeb’s rule. He attempted to reconcile with the Rajputs, Marathas, and Sikhs, seeking alliances to maintain order. However, his reign was marked by challenges:

  1. Struggles with the Sikhs: The Sikhs, under the leadership of Banda Singh Bahadur, launched a series of uprisings in Punjab, challenging Mughal authority.
  2. Maratha Threat: The Marathas, emboldened by Aurangzeb’s death, continued to assert their dominance in central and western India.
  3. Nobles’ Factionalism: The Mughal court was divided into factions, with nobles vying for power.

Despite his efforts, Bahadur Shah’s short reign could not reverse the empire’s decline. He died in 1712, leaving the throne to be contested once again.

Jahandar Shah (1712–1713)

After Bahadur Shah I, the Mughal Empire plunged into chaos. Jahandar Shah, one of Bahadur Shah’s sons, ascended the throne with the support of his powerful general Zulfikar Khan. However, Jahandar Shah’s rule was brief and ineffective. Known for his hedonistic lifestyle, he earned the disdain of both nobles and subjects.

  1. Rise of Zulfikar Khan: The real power during Jahandar Shah’s reign lay with Zulfikar Khan, who tried to implement reforms and secure alliances.
  2. Overthrow by Farrukhsiyar: Jahandar Shah was overthrown and killed in 1713 by his nephew Farrukhsiyar, who had the backing of the Sayyid Brothers, influential kingmakers of the Mughal court.

Farrukhsiyar (1713–1719)

Farrukhsiyar’s reign highlighted the growing influence of the Sayyid Brothers, known as the “kingmakers.” These brothers, Abdullah Khan and Husain Ali Khan, controlled the empire’s administration, effectively reducing Farrukhsiyar to a puppet emperor.

  1. Alliance with the Marathas: The Sayyid Brothers tried to establish peace with the Marathas, granting them revenue rights in exchange for allegiance.
  2. Sikh Repression: Farrukhsiyar continued the Mughal policy of suppressing Sikh uprisings, although without much success.
  3. Tensions with Nobles: Farrukhsiyar’s inability to assert independence from the Sayyid Brothers led to resentment among other nobles.

Eventually, the Sayyid Brothers orchestrated Farrukhsiyar’s assassination in 1719, marking their dominance in the Mughal court.

Muhammad Shah (1719–1748)

The Sayyid Brothers installed several puppet rulers before settling on Muhammad Shah, also known as Muhammad Shah Rangila, in 1719. His reign, spanning nearly three decades, saw the further decline of the Mughal Empire and Delhi’s prestige.

  1. Weak Central Authority: Muhammad Shah was more interested in courtly pleasures than governance, earning him the title “Rangila” (the Colorful). The nobles wielded significant power, weakening central authority.
  2. Rise of Other Powers: During his reign, regional powers like the Marathas, Sikhs, and Jats grew stronger, challenging Mughal dominance.
  3. Nadir Shah’s Invasion: The most catastrophic event of Muhammad Shah’s reign was the invasion of Nadir Shah in 1739. The Persian ruler sacked Delhi, massacring thousands and looting immense wealth, including the famous Peacock Throne and Kohinoor diamond.

Post-Nadir Shah Delhi

After Nadir Shah’s invasion, Delhi was left devastated, and the Mughal emperor was reduced to a mere figurehead. The empire continued to exist nominally, but real power lay elsewhere.

Ahmad Shah Bahadur (1748–1754)

Muhammad Shah’s son, Ahmad Shah Bahadur, succeeded him but proved to be an incompetent ruler. His reign was marked by:

  1. Maratha Dominance: The Marathas became the de facto rulers of northern India, even controlling parts of Delhi.
  2. Court Intrigues: Corruption and infighting among nobles further weakened the empire.
  3. Afghan Threat: Ahmad Shah Durrani (also known as Ahmad Shah Abdali) invaded India multiple times, further destabilizing the Mughal Empire.

Ahmad Shah Bahadur was eventually deposed by his vizier, Imad-ul-Mulk, in 1754.

Alamgir II (1754–1759)

Alamgir II, a puppet ruler installed by Imad-ul-Mulk, reigned during one of the most turbulent periods in Mughal history. He had no real power, and his reign saw:

  1. Maratha Supremacy: The Marathas continued to expand their influence, becoming the dominant force in Delhi.
  2. Afghan Invasions: Ahmad Shah Durrani invaded India again, culminating in the Third Battle of Panipat (1761), a significant clash between the Marathas and Afghans.

Alamgir II was assassinated in 1759, marking the end of Imad-ul-Mulk’s dominance.

Shah Alam II (1760–1806)

Shah Alam II ascended the throne in 1760 but spent much of his early reign in exile due to political instability. His reign was marked by:

  1. Loss of Sovereignty: Shah Alam II relied heavily on regional powers like the Marathas for protection and administration.
  2. Battle of Buxar (1764): The British East India Company defeated the combined forces of Shah Alam II, the Nawab of Bengal, and the Nawab of Awadh. This defeat marked the beginning of British control over Mughal revenues.
  3. Maratha Protection: The Marathas reinstated Shah Alam II in Delhi in 1772, but his authority was largely symbolic.

British Ascendancy

By the late 18th century, the Mughal emperors were mere figureheads, with real power in the hands of the British. The British East India Company established its dominance over Delhi after defeating the Marathas in the Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803–1805).

Bahadur Shah II (1837–1857)

The last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah II, also known as Bahadur Shah Zafar, reigned during the twilight of the Mughal dynasty. His reign was largely ceremonial, as the British controlled all administrative functions. The key events of his reign include:

  1. Indian Rebellion of 1857: Bahadur Shah Zafar became a symbolic leader of the rebellion against British rule, but he had little actual involvement or power.
  2. Fall of Delhi: The British recaptured Delhi in 1857, ending the Mughal Empire.
  3. Exile: Bahadur Shah Zafar was exiled to Rangoon (modern-day Yangon, Myanmar), where he died in 1862.

Conclusion

The rulers of Delhi after Aurangzeb faced immense challenges, including invasions, internal factionalism, and the rise of regional and foreign powers. While the Mughal dynasty lingered for another 150 years after Aurangzeb’s death, its influence waned significantly. Delhi, once the heart of a mighty empire, became a battleground for competing powers, eventually falling under British control. The legacy of the Mughals, however, continues to shape Delhi’s cultural and historical identity.

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