What led to the dissolution of the Mughal Empire?

The dissolution of the Mughal Empire can be attributed significantly to the weakness of its later rulers. After the reign of Aurangzeb, who ruled from 1658 to 1707, the empire struggled to maintain control and stability. His successors lacked the administrative capability, military strength, and political acumen that characterized earlier rulers. This decline in effective leadership led to internal strife, corruption, and the inability to manage the vast territories under Mughal control. Additionally, weak leadership contributed to a loss of loyalty among local governors and military commanders, which further fragmented the empire.

As the central authority weakened, regional powers gained autonomy, and various groups began to revolt, leading to the disintegration of Mughal authority. This chaos set the stage for external threats and invasions, such as those from the Persian Empire under Nadir Shah and later, the British colonial forces, who capitalized on the internal divisions and instability. While external invasions played a role in the empire's decline, it was the internal factors stemming from weak leadership that primarily facilitated the collapse of what was once a formidable empire.