Supreme Status of The Mughals Lost
The establishment of Lohgarh Khalsa Rajdhani marked a momentous milestone in human history, exemplifying the values and principles of the truth while inspiring hope for human rights. It played a significant role in the decline of the once-mighty Mughal empire. The history of Lohgarh written so far has faced challenges in understanding due to discrepancies, confusions, distortions, and contradictions introduced by historians while documenting the event related to Lohgarh. In 1710 AD, General Banda Singh Bahadar formally declared Lohgarh as the capital of the Khalsa Raj. Three significant battles with the Mughals were fought, and this region became the only cause of the decline of the Mughal empire
The Sikh uprising against the Mughals (1709-1716 AD) significantly led to the decline of the Mughal empire. The Mughals, who had previously held a dominant position in the world economy with a 25 per cent share and a mighty army, saw their supreme status compromised due to the Sikh rebellion. The Mughals’ inability to suppress the Sikh uprising and the bravery displayed by them in the face of adversity undermined the Mughals’ authority and prestige. The Sikh revolution challenged the Mughals’ dominance and highlighted the limitations of their power, ultimately contributing to their decline.
Banda Singh Bahadar’s military campaigns extended beyond sarkar Sirhind and Wazir Khan, encompassing suba Delhi, Lahore, Kashmir, Multan, and Awadh. The attacks led by Banda Singh Bahadar were so extensive and impactful that they played a significant role in the decline of the Mughal empire. The financial crisis within the Mughal empire worsened[1] following Banda Singh Bahadar’s martyrdom, leading to special concessions granted to the British for trading in saltpetre by emperor Farrukhsiyar, which they deemed the exclusive right to as the “Mante Carte.”
The early 18th century was a turbulent period for the Mughal Empire, marked by significant conflicts with the Sikhs that played a crucial role in the empire’s decline. Bahadur Shah I (1707–1712 AD) struggled to suppress the Sikh rebellion led by Banda Singh Bahadur, whose capture of Sirhind in 1710 AD challenged Mughal authority and weakened their military. Jahandar Shah (1712–1713 AD) faced political instability and internal power struggles, further destabilizing the empire and leaving it vulnerable to Sikh resistance. Farrukhsiyar (1713–1719 AD), despite his temporary success in capturing and executing Banda Singh Bahadur in 1716 AD, could not halt the ongoing Sikh insurrections. The relentless battles with the Sikhs, compounded by internal strife and administrative inefficiency, severely depleted Mughal resources and military strength, contributing to the empire’s fragmentation and eventual decline.
During this period of instability, a vacuum of power emerged not only in the Indian subcontinent but also in world trade. Europeans, who had less issue with the Mughals, saw an opportunity to fill this vacuum. However, their primary enemy was not the Mughals, but the Banjara Sikhs and the ideology of Guru Nanak patshah. Europeans went to great lengths to distort Sikh ideology and history and globally captured the trade of the Banjara Sikhs. This allowed Europeans to consolidate their power and further contribute to the decline of the Mughal empire.
[1] Muzaffar Alam, The Crisis of Empire in Mughal North India: Awadh and the Punjab, 1707-1748, page 171.