The great Mughal Empire reduced to the area near Delhi by the beginning of the 18th century. In the beginning of 19th century even Delhi was captured by the British and the Great Mughal emperor became mere the symbolic head and pensioners of the foreign empire in India.
At the time of death of Mughal Empire Aurangzeb in 1707, even if the empire was declining but was strong enough, the next emperor Bahadur Sah took measures to strengthen the Mughal Empire and adopted more liberal policy towards Hindus. He strengthens the Mughal Empire in Rajput states in Rajasthan.
Bahadur Sah fought against the rebel Sikh after the death of Guru Nanak. He was also not able to satisfy the Maratha in the Deccan.
Jalandhar Sah became the ruler after death of Bahadur Sah. He believed in the friendly relation with Hindu hence abolished the Zajiya Kar re- imposed by the emperor Aurangzeb. He promoted his friendly relation with Hindus.
As there were fought for throne among mughals, the administration and law and order situation became worse and the hold of Mughal on the empire became weak.
The later Mughal emperors were not efficient administrators and at times acted on the advice of corrupt court officials.
As the Mughal Empire became weak many Zamindars in north India declared their independence. The Martha in the Deccan started the northward expansion.