Aurangzeb is involved in a series of protracted wars—against the Pathans in Afghanistan, the sultans of Bijapur and Golkonda in the Deccan, and the Marathas in Maharashtra.

Peasant uprisings and revolts by local leaders become all too common, as do the conniving of the nobles to preserve their own status at the expense of a steadily weakening empire.

The increasing association of his government with Islam further drives a wedge between the ruler and his Hindu subjects.

Aurangzeb forbids the building of new temples, destroys a number of them, and reimposes the jizya.

A puritan and a censor of morals, he bans music at court, abolishes ceremonies, and persecutes the Sikhs in Punjab.

These measures alienate so many that even before he dies challenges for power have already begun to escalate.

Contenders for the Mughal throne fight each other, and the short-lived reigns of Aurangzeb's successors will be strife-filled.

The Mughal Empire experiences dramatic reverses as regional governors break away and found independent kingdoms.

The Mughals have to make peace with Maratha rebels, and Persian and Afghan armies invade Delhi, carrying away many treasures, including the Peacock Throne in 1739.