This thesis examines the rise, prosperity, and decline of the Mughal Empire and explores how its collapse facilitated the establishment of the British East India Company's rule in India. For centuries, the Mughal Empire was regarded as one of the most significant political and economic powers of the early modern period on the Indian subcontinent. The first part of the thesis presents and analyses the key political, administrative, cultural, economicand military factors that enabled the emergence of the Mughal Empire and its consolidation as a mayor imperial power. Then it examines the empire's Golden Age and analyses the internal and external factors that, from the second half of the 17. century onwards, gradually led to its decline and eventual disintegration. The second part of the thesis focuses on developments in Europe, particularly in England, from the 16. century onwards, which created the conditions for the establishment and expansion of the British East India Company. It further analyses the political, economic and military factors that enabled the Company to extend its influence beyond Europe and gradually establish political, economic and military dominance over the Indian subcontinent.
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