AURANGZEB

Aurangzeb (born Muhi-ud-Din Muhammad, November 3, 1618 – March 3, 1707) was the sixth Mughal Emperor of India, who ruled from 1658 to 1707. His reign was one of the longest of any Mughal ruler, and it marked the peak of the Mughal Empire’s territorial expansion. However, it was also characterized by internal strife, revolts, and a shift toward religious conservatism that contributed to the eventual weakening of the empire.

Early Life and Ascension to the Throne

Aurangzeb was the third son of Emperor Shah Jahan (who built the Taj Mahal) and Mumtaz Mahal. He was trained in administration, military, and religious education from an early age. Aurangzeb was a capable and ambitious prince who served as a military commander and provincial governor before seizing the throne.

The War of Succession (1657-1658): When Shah Jahan fell ill in 1657, a power struggle erupted among his sons. Aurangzeb’s brothers, Dara Shikoh, Shah Shuja, and Murad Baksh, all vied for the throne. Aurangzeb, using his military prowess and political acumen, decisively defeated his brothers. Dara Shikoh, the heir-apparent and favored son of Shah Jahan, was executed, while Shah Jahan was placed under house arrest at the Agra Fort. Aurangzeb crowned himself emperor in 1658 and adopted the title Alamgir (“Seizer of the World”).

Aurangzeb’s Policies and Administration

Aurangzeb is known for his strong administrative capabilities and austere lifestyle. However, his reign was marked by significant religious and political shifts that were starkly different from those of his predecessors, particularly Akbar, who promoted religious tolerance.

1. Religious Conservatism: Aurangzeb was a devout Sunni Muslim and sought to enforce Islamic law (Sharia) more rigorously throughout his empire. He reimposed the jizya (a tax on non-Muslims), which had been abolished by Akbar. Many Hindu temples were destroyed during his reign, and some previously accepted religious practices were discouraged.
   • Jizya Tax: Aurangzeb reintroduced the jizya tax on Hindus in 1679, which was seen as a significant move away from Akbar’s policy of tolerance.
   • Religious Imposition: His policies led to tensions with the Hindu majority population, as well as other religious communities like Sikhs, Jains, and Christians. However, his religious conservatism also gained him support from orthodox Muslim factions.
2. Territorial Expansion: Aurangzeb expanded the Mughal Empire to its greatest territorial extent. His campaigns extended Mughal rule into the Deccan Plateau in southern India, including Bijapur and Golconda. These conquests brought immense wealth to the empire, but they were also costly and difficult to maintain.
   • His campaigns against the Marathas, led by Shivaji, became one of the most notable aspects of his reign. Shivaji, a Maratha chieftain, resisted Mughal rule and established the Maratha Kingdom.
   • Aurangzeb captured Shivaji’s son, Sambhaji, and executed him in 1689, but the Maratha resistance continued, eventually becoming a significant factor in weakening the Mughal hold over southern India.
3. Economic Policies: Aurangzeb was known for his efforts to enforce fiscal discipline. He implemented measures to control court expenses, forbade extravagant ceremonies, and tried to reduce corruption in the imperial administration. However, the massive expenditures on his military campaigns, particularly in the Deccan, drained the empire’s resources. The empire was also facing increasing administrative challenges due to its vast size.
4. Administrative Reforms: Aurangzeb was a skilled administrator who personally oversaw many aspects of governance. He reformed the judiciary and introduced stricter regulations on market activities to ensure fair pricing. The emperor’s personal lifestyle was also marked by simplicity, in contrast to the more lavish tendencies of earlier Mughal rulers.

Major Events During Aurangzeb’s Reign

1. Conquest of the Deccan: Aurangzeb’s long-running campaigns in the Deccan were aimed at bringing the sultanates of Bijapur and Golconda under Mughal control. By 1687, both Bijapur and Golconda were conquered, and Mughal sovereignty was extended deep into South India.
2. Conflict with the Marathas: The rise of the Maratha Empire under Shivaji Bhonsle was a major challenge to Aurangzeb’s rule. The Marathas engaged in guerrilla warfare and resisted Mughal attempts to subjugate them. Despite Aurangzeb’s eventual capture of key Maratha leaders, the Maratha resistance continued to grow under later leaders like Rajaram and Tarabai, laying the foundation for the eventual Maratha Empire that would challenge Mughal dominance in the 18th century.
3. Sikh Resistance: Aurangzeb’s relations with the Sikh Gurus were strained, particularly after he executed Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, in 1675 for refusing to convert to Islam. This act intensified Sikh resistance under the leadership of Guru Gobind Singh, who militarized the Sikh community and established the Khalsa in 1699. This was a significant moment in Sikh history and set the stage for future conflicts between the Sikhs and the Mughal Empire.
4. Revolts and Rebellions: Aurangzeb faced numerous revolts during his reign:
   • Rajput Rebellion (1679–1681): The Rajput kingdoms, which had been allies of the Mughal Empire under Akbar and Jahangir, rebelled against Aurangzeb’s policies, particularly after he attempted to annex their territories.
   • Jat Rebellion: The Jats of Bharatpur in northern India rebelled against Mughal rule, and their resistance persisted even after Aurangzeb’s death.
   • Pashtun Revolts: In the north-western frontiers, Pashtun tribes rebelled against Mughal authority, posing a constant threat to the empire’s stability.
5. Decline of the Mughal Empire: Aurangzeb’s military campaigns, particularly in the Deccan, overstretched the empire’s resources. The combination of prolonged warfare, administrative challenges, and growing dissent within the empire weakened the Mughal administration. After Aurangzeb’s death in 1707, the empire faced a rapid decline due to internal conflicts and the rise of regional powers such as the Marathas, Rajputs, Sikhs, and later, the British East India Company.

Important Personalities During Aurangzeb’s Reign

1. Shivaji Bhonsle (1630-1680): Founder of the Maratha Empire, Shivaji resisted Mughal domination and became a symbol of Hindu resistance against Aurangzeb’s rule. His successful campaigns in the Deccan made him a legendary figure in Indian history.
2. Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708): The tenth and final Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh played a key role in militarizing the Sikh community through the establishment of the Khalsa and resisting Mughal oppression during Aurangzeb’s reign.
3. Jai Singh I (Mirza Raja Jai Singh, 1611–1667): A Rajput ruler who served as a trusted general under Aurangzeb, Jai Singh was involved in key Mughal campaigns, including the initial campaign against Shivaji, although he was often caught between his loyalty to the emperor and his role as a Rajput leader.
4. Dara Shikoh (1615-1659): Aurangzeb’s elder brother and rival in the war of succession. Dara Shikoh was a proponent of Sufi Islam and Hindu-Muslim unity, which stood in stark contrast to Aurangzeb’s more orthodox Islamic policies.
5. Mir Jumla (1591-1663): Aurangzeb’s trusted general and an important figure in his early campaigns in the Deccan and the northeast. He played a significant role in expanding Mughal control over Assam and southern India.
6. Sambhaji Bhonsle (1657-1689): The son of Shivaji, Sambhaji continued the fight against the Mughals after his father’s death. He was captured and executed by Aurangzeb, but his resistance inspired continued Maratha opposition to Mughal rule.

Aurangzeb’s Legacy

Aurangzeb’s reign is often viewed with controversy and debate. While he was a skilled administrator and a devout Muslim, his policies, particularly his religious conservatism and focus on military conquests, are seen as factors that contributed to the weakening of the Mughal Empire.

• Positive aspects: He expanded the Mughal Empire to its greatest extent, was a competent administrator, and worked to reduce corruption and inefficiency.
• Negative aspects: His religious intolerance, endless wars, and oppressive taxation policies alienated many subjects, especially the Marathas, Rajputs, Sikhs, and other non-Muslim communities, laying the groundwork for internal divisions and rebellion.

Aurangzeb’s death in 1707 marked the beginning of the end for the Mughal Empire, as it soon fragmented into smaller, regional powers that would eventually be absorbed into British colonial rule.