Under which of the following Mughal emperors were the Marathas a major challenge to the sovereignty of the Mughals?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The correct answer is option 2 i.e. Aurangzeb.
The Marathas emerged as a major challenge to Mughal sovereignty during the reign of Aurangzeb (1658–1707). His long Deccan campaigns against the Marathas, especially after the capture and execution of their leader Sambhaji in 1689, failed to suppress their resistance. The Marathas adopted guerrilla tactics and continued to reclaim territory even after Aurangzeb’s death. His prolonged focus on the Deccan drained the empire’s resources and weakened central control. This persistent resistance not only exposed Mughal military limitations but also marked the beginning of the empire’s decline, with the Marathas eventually rising as a dominant power in 18th-century India.