0Aurangzeb Alamgir (1658–1707 CE)
Aurangzeb, the sixth Mughal emperor, ruled for nearly 50 years and was the last of the great Mughal rulers. His reign marked both the territorial zenith of the Mughal Empire and the beginning of its gradual decline. He is one of the most controversial figures in Indian history due to his orthodox religious policies and long military campaigns.
Early Life and Accession
- Born in 1618 at Dahod, Gujarat, Aurangzeb was the third son of Emperor Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal.
- He was well-educated, mastering Persian, Arabic, and Islamic jurisprudence.
- During his early career, he served as the governor of the Deccan, Gujarat, and Multan, displaying administrative and military skills.
- After Shah Jahan’s illness (1657), a war of succession broke out among his sons—Dara Shikoh, Shuja, Murad, and Aurangzeb.
- Aurangzeb defeated Dara Shikoh at the Battle of Samugarh (1658) and imprisoned Shah Jahan, becoming emperor in 1658.
Political and Administrative Policies
- Aurangzeb followed the administrative framework of Akbar but imposed stricter control over nobility and bureaucracy.
- He personally supervised state affairs, often working long hours without luxury or leisure.
- He expanded the empire to its largest extent—covering almost the entire Indian subcontinent except a few southernmost regions.
- The Mughal Empire reached its territorial peak, but continuous wars drained its resources.
- Aurangzeb reintroduced the jizya tax on non-Muslims (1679), which had been abolished by Akbar, reflecting his orthodox religious outlook.
Religious Policy
- Aurangzeb was a staunch Sunni Muslim and believed in enforcing Islamic laws (Sharia).
- He banned music and dancing at court, destroyed several temples, and issued orders against practices he deemed un-Islamic.
- However, his policy was not uniformly intolerant—many Hindus continued to hold high offices in his administration, like Raja Jaswant Singh and Raja Jai Singh.
- His religious conservatism alienated large sections of society, especially Rajputs, Sikhs, and Marathas, weakening Mughal integration.
Military Campaigns
- North India: He subdued revolts by Afghan tribes, Jats (under Gokla and Rajaram), and Satnamis.
- Rajput Policy: Initially cordial with Rajputs, but conflicts arose after his attempts to annex Marwar following Raja Jaswant Singh’s death.
- Deccan Policy: His Deccan campaigns were long and costly. He aimed to crush the Deccan Sultanates and the growing power of the Marathas.
- Conquered Bijapur (1686) and Golconda (1687), but the constant wars against the Marathas under Shivaji and later Sambhaji and Rajaram exhausted the empire.
- The endless Deccan wars drained the treasury and overextended Mughal administration.
Relations with Sikhs
- The execution of the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur (1675), for refusing to convert to Islam, embittered relations with the Sikhs.
- His policies indirectly led to the rise of militant Sikhism under Guru Gobind Singh and the formation of the Khalsa (1699).
Economic and Cultural Aspects
- Despite his orthodoxy, Aurangzeb maintained a well-structured revenue system following Todar Mal’s model.
- Trade continued to flourish due to the empire’s vastness, though European influence began to rise through the British and French East India Companies.
- He banned new court paintings and music but encouraged the copying of Islamic texts and calligraphy.
Decline and Legacy
- Aurangzeb’s death in 1707 marked the beginning of the Mughal Empire’s disintegration.
- His religious rigidity, prolonged wars, and centralized despotism weakened Mughal authority.
- The empire became overstretched and financially drained, leading to the rise of regional powers like the Marathas, Sikhs, and Rajputs.
- Historians remain divided—some view him as a pious ruler committed to justice and duty, while others see him as intolerant and responsible for Mughal decline.
Conclusion
Aurangzeb’s reign symbolizes the paradox of Mughal history—political expansion but moral and administrative contraction. His personal austerity and discipline contrasted with the vastness of his empire. However, his religious orthodoxy and relentless wars alienated key social groups, leading to the eventual fragmentation of the Mughal state. For UPSC, Aurangzeb is crucial as a ruler whose policies mark the transition from Mughal zenith to decline, shaping the socio-political landscape of 18th-century India.
Keywords for UPSC:
- Jizya Tax (1679)
- Battle of Samugarh (1658)
- Deccan Campaigns
- Guru Tegh Bahadur Execution (1675)
- Decline of Mughal Empire
