Why India Lost the Ocean

Contrary to the belief that European military power ended India's maritime supremacy, this dominance was actually lost due to the internal policies of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. By dismantling the religious tolerance and social stability that sustained a sophisticated, multi-faith merchant class, Aurangzeb destroyed the trust and security essential for global trade. This collapse forced the merchant community to flee, effectively ending India's millennia-long era as the center of world commerce.