15. Mughal Empire (18th century)
The Mughal Empire, once a dominant force in the Indian subcontinent, began its decline in the early 18th century due to internal strife and external pressures. Emperor Aurangzeb’s expansionist policies stretched resources thin, leading to economic difficulties and administrative inefficiencies. The empire faced invasions by Nader Shah in 1739 and Ahmad Shah Durrani in 1757, resulting in significant territorial losses and weakening central authority. Concurrently, regional powers like the Marathas and Jats gained autonomy, further fragmenting the empire. This fragmentation created a power vacuum, allowing European colonial powers, particularly the British East India Company, to assert control, leading to the eventual dissolution of the Mughal Empire. Similar patterns of imperial decline due to internal fragmentation and external encroachment are observed in other historical contexts, such as the fall of the Roman Empire and the decline of the Ottoman Empire (britannica.com).
