5.6 Aurangzeb (Alamgir) (1658–1707 CE)

5.6 Aurangzeb (Alamgir) (1658–1707 CE)

• Longest-reigning Mughal emperor (~49 years); empire reached its greatest territorial extent under him, but his policies are widely seen by historians as contributing to the empire's eventual decline.

Religious and Administrative Policies (Very important — frequently tested)

• Reversed many of Akbar's liberal policies — projected himself as an orthodox, conservative Sunni Muslim ruler.
• Reimposed Jizya on non-Muslims in 1679 CE (had been abolished by Akbar in 1564 CE) — a major and controversial step, generating significant resentment among Hindu subjects.
• Banned construction of new Hindu temples; ordered demolition of some prominent temples (e.g., Kashi Vishwanath Temple at Varanasi, Keshava Deva Temple at Mathura) — though the extent and consistency of temple destruction is debated among historians (motives sometimes political, e.g., against rebels, rather than purely religious).
• Banned court music, painting patronage reduced (though continued to some extent in provincial/regional courts, e.g., Rajput and Deccan courts, which flourished independently).
• Abolished many "un-Islamic" taxes (per his view) while imposing others.
• Appointed Muhtasibs (censors of public morals) to enforce Islamic law (Sharia) strictly.

Conflicts and Rebellions (Contributed to decline — see Part 6)

• Marathas: Fought prolonged wars against the rising Maratha power under Shivaji and later his successors — Shivaji was even captured and controversially detained at Agra (1666 CE) but famously escaped. After Shivaji's death (1680 CE), Aurangzeb personally led a long, costly military campaign into the Deccan (from 1681 CE until his death in 1707 CE) trying to crush the Marathas and annex Bijapur/Golconda — this "Deccan Ulcer" drained the treasury and army for over two decades without decisive success.
• Annexation of Bijapur (1686 CE) and Golconda (1687 CE) — brought the entire Deccan under nominal Mughal control, but at enormous cost, and Maratha guerrilla resistance continued unabated (under Shivaji's son Sambhaji, and later Rajaram, Tarabai).
• Rajputs: Relations soured badly — the Rathore Rebellion (Marwar) after the death of Raja Jaswant Singh (Aurangzeb tried to control succession, leading to revolt led by Durga Das Rathore on behalf of the infant heir Ajit Singh) and simultaneous conflict with Mewar — ended the close Mughal-Rajput partnership that Akbar had built.
• Sikhs: Executed the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur, in 1675 CE (in Delhi, for refusing forced conversion and defending religious freedom, notably of Kashmiri Pandits) — this led to further militarization of the Sikh community under his son and successor, Guru Gobind Singh (who founded the Khalsa Panth in 1699 CE).
• Jats: Rebellions under local leaders like Gokula and later Churaman/Badan Singh around Agra-Mathura region (see Part 6).
• Various other regional revolts (Bundelas, Satnamis) also occurred during his reign.

Key Facts / Quick Revision Points — Aurangzeb

• Longest-reigning Mughal; greatest territorial extent, but sowed seeds of decline.
• Reimposed Jizya (1679).
• Annexed Bijapur (1686) & Golconda (1687) — ended Bahmani-successor Sultanates.
• Long Deccan campaign against Marathas (1681-1707) — drained the empire ("Deccan Ulcer").
• Executed Guru Tegh Bahadur (1675) → Guru Gobind Singh founded Khalsa (1699).
• Rathore Rebellion (Durga Das Rathore) — breakdown of Mughal-Rajput relations.
• Died 1707 CE — succession struggles among sons (Bahadur Shah I succeeded).