Mughal Decline

Ahmad Shah Durrani (c. 1722-1772) founded the Durrani Empire at Kandahar in 1747 and is generally regarded as the founder of the modern Afghan state. He invaded India repeatedly and broke Maratha power at Panipat in 1761, but established no lasting rule there.

The Mughal Empire (1526-1857) ruled most of the Indian subcontinent for three centuries, creating a distinctive Indo-Islamic civilization with magnificent architecture, sophisticated administration, and lasting cultural achievements blending Persian, Central Asian, and Indian traditions.