✨ The End of Aurangzeb's Rule

Alright class, let's dive into how the British went from being traders to rulers in India. Think of it like this: Aurangzeb, the last really strong Mughal emperor, passed away in 1707. After him, local leaders and landlords started doing their own thing, creating their own little kingdoms. Delhi, which used to be the heart of the Mughal empire, just couldn't keep everyone together anymore.

✨ Rise of Regional Kingdoms

Now, around the mid-1700s, a new player showed up: the British! Can you believe they initially just wanted to trade? They weren't even thinking about taking over land. But things changed, didn't they?

✨ The British Arrive as Traders

Even though the Mughal empire was weakening, the Mughal emperors still held symbolic importance. For example, during the big revolt against the British in 1857, Bahadur Shah Zafar, who was the Mughal emperor then, was seen as a leader. Unfortunately, after the British crushed the revolt, they forced him out and, shockingly, killed his sons. It was a brutal time.