Changes

In 1700, the Indian sub-continent was largely unified under the Mughal dynasty. This Muslim dynasty had conquered much of South Asia and brought a degree of peace and prosperity to the land <ref> Harrington, p. 67#.</ref>" . However, by 1750, the Mughal Empire was in decline. The Mughal’s were brilliant administrators and were great patrons of the arts. However, they were unable to directly administer their territories and they often delegated authority to appointees. These were to supply men and equipment to the Mughal army and pay taxes. Over time, these local leaders became increasingly powerful and became independent of the Mughal Court. This weakened the Mughal Emperor and the last truly effective emperor was Aurangzeb. He had been Islamic fundamentalists and he had departed from the traditionally tolerant policies of the Mughals and this led to much resentment among the majority Hindus. This was to spark a series of Hindu revolts by groups such as the Marathas. By 1750, much of Indian only paid a nominal obedience to the Mughal Empire. In reality, power was now in the hands of a multitude of Muslim and Hindi local rulers, known as Rajahs or Sultans. India was politically fragmented by the time that the British started to expand in India and this greatly facilitated their growing influence in the sub-continent. If Britain had been faced with a strong government, it is highly unlikely that they would have been able to establish their empire in South Asia <ref> Spear, Percival , A History of India, Volume 2, New Delhi and London: Penguin Books.1990) p. 298#.</ref>" .