Book excerpt: The Mughal Empire is a fascinating mosaic in the history of India. The 'decline' of the Mughal Empire, along with its power, wealth, stability, territoriality, and exquisite and surreal character, has engaged historians for several decades in a complex and contentious debate. This volume explores the divergent views and discussions that surround the withering of this empire and focuses on the different paradigms and assumptions that have shaped the interpretations of this decline. A part of the Debates in Indian History and Society series, this volume tackles questions regarding the Mughal Empire. Was the decline a mere deterioration of power over a period of roughly thirty to fifty years or did the decentralizing tendencies of the empire become more apparent and aggressive during these particular years? Did the decline of the Mughal Empire lead to a 'dark age', or notwithstanding the decline and the political collapse of the centre, did the Indian economy and polity continue to flourish? This book will be of interest to students, teachers, and scholars of medieval and modern Indian history.