Bengal broke away from Mughal rule in the early 18th century. The Mughal Empire's control over Bengal weakened significantly during this period due to various factors, including internal strife, weak central leadership, and the emergence of powerful regional governors. In 1717, the governor of Bengal, Murshid Quli Khan, declared de facto independence from the Mughal Empire while still acknowledging nominal Mughal sovereignty. He established the Bengal Subah as an autonomous entity, effectively breaking away from direct Mughal control. This move marked the beginning of Bengal's independence from the Mughal Empire, although it wasn't officially recognized until later.