Aurangazeb (AD 1658-1707) was renowned as one of the most capable rulers among the Mughal kings.
- His 49-year reign is often hailed as the "Golden Age" of the Mughal Empire, marking its pinnacle of power and prosperity.
- Despite his notable achievements, such as adopting the regnal title Alamgir, meaning "Conqueror of the World," and compiling the Fatawa-e-Alamgiri, which established Sharia law and Islamic economics across the Indian subcontinent, his policies, particularly in the Deccan and regarding religion, ultimately contributed to the empire's decline.
- Despite his reign's challenges, Aurangazeb was admired for his modest lifestyle and lofty ideals, earning him the epithet "Zinda Pir."
- However, upon his death, the empire faced numerous difficulties that his successors were unable to address, leading to its eventual collapse in the mid-18th century.
Deccan Policy of Aurangzeb
- During the initial phase of Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb's reign, which extended until around 1707, he governed as a formidable Muslim ruler of a diverse empire comprising both Muslims and Hindus.
- Aurangazeb commanded both respect and fear due to his strength and prowess, yet his harsh methods and traditionalist policies earned him widespread disapproval.
- In the early years of his rule, Aurangazeb focused on safeguarding the northwest province from incursions by Central Asian Turks and Persians.
- During this period, he clashed with the Maratha leader Shivaji Maharaj, who launched two raids on the important port of Surat in 1664 and 1670.
- Following the conquest strategy of his great-grandfather Akbar, Aurangazeb sought to defeat his adversaries, reconcile with them, and integrate them into imperial service.
- Consequently, Shivaji Maharaj was defeated and summoned to Agra for reconciliation in 1666, where he was granted an imperial title.
- However, this plan fell apart, leading Shivaji Maharaj to flee to the Deccan, where he later established an independent Maratha kingdom and passed away in 1680.
- To curb the Maratha influence, Aurangazeb opted to invade Bijapur and Golconda in 1686-87.
- He vanquished Sikandar Shah of Bijapur and absorbed the Bijapur kingdom into the Mughal Empire.
- Subsequently, he turned his attention to Golkonda, eliminating the ruling Qutub Shahi dynasty.
- Although Aurangazeb's campaigns in the Deccan appeared successful, they proved to be a political misstep.
- The destruction of the Deccan kingdoms brought the Mughals and Marathas into direct conflict, escalating tensions between the two powers.
- Moreover, these military endeavors drained the Mughal treasury, exacerbating financial strains on the empire.
Religious Policy
- Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb staunchly adhered to Sunni Islam and vigorously championed Sunni orthodoxy.
- This fervor drove him to rigorously enforce Quranic laws, under which he believed every devout Muslim must engage in Jihad, or holy war, against Dar-ul-Harb, the realm of non-Muslims, until it was transformed into Dar-ul-Islam, the domain of Islam.
- To maintain moral standards, Aurangazeb established a dedicated department overseen by an official known as the Muhtasib.
- He implemented strict prohibitions, such as banning the use of bhang and other drugs, as well as the consumption of alcohol throughout his reign.
- Music was forbidden within the Mughal court, and Aurangazeb discontinued the practice of addressing the public from the balcony, known as Jharokha darshan.
- Additionally, he abolished the inscribing of the Kalima on coins and prohibited the Navroz festival, marking the Parsi New Year.
- Initially, Aurangazeb restricted the construction and repair of Hindu temples, eventually leading to their destruction.
- Notable temples in Benares and Mathura lost their splendor under his rule.
- He reinstated the jaziya, a tax on non-Muslims, and displayed intolerance towards other Muslim sects, particularly Shia, and even punished Sufi saints for their more liberal religious views.
- His animosity extended to the Sikh community, resulting in the execution of the ninth Sikh Prophet, Guru Teg Bahadur.
- Aurangazeb's rigid religious policies alienated various groups, including the Rajputs, Jats of Mathura, Satnamis of Mewar, Marathas, and Sikhs, turning them into adversaries of the Mughal Empire.
- His grave error lay in intertwining his religion with the state, fostering discontent among diverse sections of society.
- This discontentment, evident even during his lifetime, diverted his energies and significantly contributed to the empire's eventual decline and downfall.
Conclusion
Emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir, the sixth ruler of the Mughal Empire, is often regarded as the final luminary of the Mughal dynasty. His early life, marked by being held hostage by his grandfather and subjected to relentless demands by his father, likely influenced his character significantly.
Aurangzeb possessed fearlessness and determination, attributes that helped him navigate through challenging circumstances. However, some of his decisions ultimately contributed to the empire's resistance against foreign imperialism. Throughout his 49-year reign, he diligently expanded the empire's borders inherited from his father, Shahjahan. Yet, his ambitious military campaigns strained the empire's finances, leading to oppressive taxation that burdened the peasantry.
Moreover, Aurangzeb's reliance on political feudatories for control proved unstable, as they frequently rebelled against his authority. This constant struggle for control further weakened the empire's cohesion, ultimately creating vulnerabilities that foreign powers sought to exploit.
