The Mughal Empire became weak after the death of Aurangzeb in 1707, and Nadir Shah, the ruler of Iran, attacked and plundered the city of Delhi in 1739. In fact, later Mughal emperors after Aurangzeb were puppets in the hands of powerful landlords and regional chiefs. What were the origins of these local rulers?

The Mughal Empire, which had been a dominant force in the Indian subcontinent for centuries, began to decline significantly after the death of Aurangzeb in 1707. Aurangzeb's long reign had been marked by extensive military campaigns and centralization of power, which had weakened the empire's financial and administrative structures. His death left a power vacuum that was filled by various regional and local rulers who had gained significant power and influence during his reign.

One of the key factors in the decline of the Mughal Empire was the rise of local rulers who were often from ethnic groups such as Iranis and Turanis. These groups had been part of the Mughal military and administrative apparatus for generations and had established themselves in various regions of the empire. The Iranis were Persians who had migrated to India and had significant influence in the Mughal court, while the Turanis were Central Asian Turks who had also been part of the Mughal military and administrative system.

After Aurangzeb's death, these local rulers began to assert their independence and control over their respective regions. They often acted as de facto rulers, with the Mughal emperors becoming mere figureheads. This period saw the rise of powerful landlords and regional chiefs who controlled large territories and had significant military and economic power. The Mughal emperors, who were often weak and ineffective, were unable to exert control over these local rulers, leading to a fragmented and decentralized political landscape.

The Iranis and Turanis were particularly influential in this period because of their long-standing presence in the Mughal Empire and their significant roles in the military and administrative structures. They had the resources, military strength, and political acumen to take control of various regions and establish their own power bases. This led to a situation where the Mughal emperors were effectively puppets in the hands of these local rulers, who controlled the real power in the empire.

It is important to note that while the Iranis and Turanis were the primary groups that filled the power vacuum left by the weakening Mughal Empire, other groups such as tribals and peasants also had some influence. However, they were not the main groups that controlled the regions and made the Mughal emperors mere figureheads. The Iranis and Turanis were the dominant groups that emerged as the local rulers in the post-Aurangzeb period.