, however, continued to be the highest manifestation of

sovereignty. Not only the Muslim gentry, but the Maratha, Hindu, and Sikh leader
s took part in ceremonial acknowledgements of the emperor as the sovereign of In
dia.[36]
The Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II made futile attempts to reverse the Mughal decli
ne, and ultimately had to seek the protection of outside powers. In 1784, the
Marathas under Mahadji Scindia won acknowledgement as the proeahadur Shah Zafar,
was deposed by the British government, who then assumed formal control of the c
ountry.[35]Through warfare and diplomacy,trading companies. India developed a s
trong and stable economy, leading to commercial expansion and economic developme
nt. Akbar allowed fre expression of religion, and attempted to resolve socio-pol
itical and cultural differences in his empire by establishing a new religion,Din
-i-Ilahi, with strong characteristics of a ruler cult.[35] He left his successor
s an internally stable statand economic development. Akbar allowed free expressi
on ofreligion, and attempted to resolve socio-political and cultural differences
in his empire byand economic development. Akbar allowed free expression ofrelig
ion, and attempted to resolve socio-political and cultural differences in his em
pire by establishing a new religion, Din-i-Ilahi, with strong characteristics of
a ruler cult.[35] During the reign of Jahangir's son, Shah Jahan, uring the rei
gn of Muhammad Shah, the empire began to break up, and vast tracts of central He
left his successors an internally stable state, which was in the midst of its g
olden age, but before long signs of political weakness would emerge.[35] Akbar's
son, Jahangir, rule establishing a new religion, Din-i-Ilahi, with strong chara
cteristics of a ruler cult.[35] During the reign of Jahangir's son, Shah Jahan,
uring the reign of Muhammad Shah, the empire began to break up, and vast tracts
of central He left his successors an internmaintenance of the court, at this tim
e, began to cost more than the revenue.[35]Akbar was able to extend the empire i
n all directions and controlled almost the entire Indian subcontinent north of t
he Godavari river. He created a new class of nobility loyal to him from the mili
tary aristocracy of India's social groups, implemented a modern government, and
supported cultural developments.[35] At the same time, Akbar intensified trade
with European trading companies. India developed a strong and stable economy,D l
eading to commercial expansion and economic development. Akbar allowed free expr
ession ofreligion, and attempted to resolve socio-political and cultural differe
nces in his empire by establishing a new religion, Din-i-Ilahi, with strong char
acteristics of a ruler cult.[35] During the reign of Jahangir's son, Shah Jahan,
uring the reign of Muhammad Shah, the empire began to break up, and vast tracts
of central He left his successors an internally stable state, which was in the
midst of its golden age, but before long signs of political weakness would emerg
e.[35] Akbar's son, Jahangir, ruled the empire at its peak, but he was addicted
to opium, neglected the affairs of the state, and came under the influence of ri
val court cliques.[35] During the reign of Muhammad Shah, the empire began to br
eak up, and vast tracts of central He left his successors an internally stable s
tate, which was in the midst of its golden age, but before long signs of politic
al weakness would emerge.[35] Akbar's son, Jahangir, ruled the empire at its pea
k, but he was addicted to opium, neglected the affairs of the state, and came un
der the influence of rival court cliques.[35] India passed from Mughal to Marath
a hands. The campaigns of Nadir Shah, who had reestablished Iranian suzerainity
over most of West Asia and Central Asia, culminated with the Sack of Delhi and s
hattered the remnants of Mughal power and prestige.[35] Many of the empire's eli
tes now sought to control their own affairs, and broke away to form independent
kingdoms.[35] The Mughal Emperortectors of the emperor in Delhi, a state of affa
irs that continued until after the Second Anglo-Maratha War. Thereafter, the Bri
tishEast India Company became the protectors of the Mughal dynasty in Delhi.[36]
After a crushed rebellion which he nominally led in 185758, the last Mughal, B