[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [General history and culture](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general) › [Later Mughals](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.irvine-1922) › v2.c19.s5.4 # Later Mughals v2.c19.s5.4 Later Mughals v2.c19.s5.4 - **Language:** English ### [v2.c19.s5.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.irvine-1922.v2.c19.s5.4) The Panjab, as the defensive barrier of India proper on the west, passed out of the hands of the ruler of Dihli even before the Abdali annexed it. Before the coming of Nadir, this province had attained to much peace and prosperity as the result of Farrukh-siyar's successful extinction of the Sikh guru Banda and his followers, and later on the vigorous campaigns of Zakariya Khan against predatory local chiefs and rebels. He had also added to the wealth and beauty of the cities, as Anandram enthusiastically describes. But Nadir's invasion undid all this. The country was first sacked by the Persian soldiers under orders and then by the lawless natives. Everywhere robbery and murder took place ; gangs of robbers closed the roads to trade and peaceful traffic ; every one fought every one else. Utter desolation and disorder seized the province. The Sikhs began to assert themselves in ever-increasing strength, until, half-a-century later, they gained possession of the entire province. From the end of Muhammad Shah's reign they became an ever-present thorn in the side of the Empire. In the second half of the 18th century they used to make almost annual raids eastwards to the environs of Dihli, plundering, burning, massacring and destroying all traces of cultivation and habitation with ferocious cruelty. Sarhind, Saharanpur, Meerut, Shahdera and even Hardwar suffered from their ravages. Peace, prosperity and industry disappeared from the region north and west of the Mughal capital. - [Previous: v2.c19.s5.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.irvine-1922.v2.c19.s5.3) - [Next: v2.c19.s5.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.irvine-1922.v2.c19.s5.5) - [Up: v2.c19.s5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.irvine-1922.v2.c19.s5) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.irvine-1922.v2.c19.s5.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.irvine-1922.v2.c19.s5.4) · Pramāṇa