The formation of states in Punjab during the 18th century was closely linked with the decline of the Mughal Empire, the rise of regional powers, and the emergence of Sikh political authority. The weakening of central Mughal control after the death of Aurangzeb in 1707 created conditions for the growth of autonomous regional states. Punjab, located in the north-western frontier region of India, became a major centre of political transformation due to repeated invasions, local resistance, and the rise of new power structures. During the early 18th century, Punjab was still formally under Mughal authority, but the empire’s administrative and military capacity had significantly declined. Mughal governors found it increasingly difficult to maintain control over the region due to internal conflicts, financial difficulties, and external invasions. The invasions of Nadir Shah in 1739 and Ahmad Shah Abdali in the