Aurangzeb Alamgir: The Last Great Mughal Emperor

Aurangzeb, also known as Alamgir, ruled over the Mughal Empire from 1658 to 1707. His reign can be divided into two halves: the first twenty-five years were spent predominantly in the north, while the latter years were primarily focused on the Deccan region. Aurangzeb’s rule was characterized by military conquests, stringent religious policies, and patronage of art and literature.

Aurangzeb Alamgir (1658 – 1707 AD): Legacy and Controversies

1. Major Events/Battles

• Dividing Aurangzeb’s Reign: His reign of fifty years falls into two equal parts:
  • He resided in the north for the first twenty-five years, chiefly in Delhi, and personally occupied himself with the affairs of northern India, leaving the Deccan in the hands of his viceroys. 
• Around 1681: he was prompted by the rebellion of one of his sons, Prince Akbar, to go to the Deccan. He never returned to Delhi, died at Ahmad Nagar in 1707.
• Battle of Saraighat(1671): Aurangzeb conducted military expeditions against the Ahoms.
• North: Revolt of the Jats (Mathura -1669) had limited success.
  • Revolts of Satnamis(1673) of the Haryana region and the Sikhs(1675) were crushed. 
  • In Marwar(1678), post the death of Jaswant Singh, rebellions were suppressed.
  • The rebellion of the Rana of Mewar concluded with a peace treaty signed in 1681.
• Deccan:
  • Mughal Victory: Adil Shahi ruler Sikandar Adil Shah of Bijapur was defeated in 1686 and Golkonda was captured in 1687 after defeating the ruler Abul Hasan Qutub Shah.
  • Resistance and Defiance: Mughal forces were defined by Shivaji, through guerrilla tactics (till his death in 1680), later continued by sons of Shivaji till the death of Aurangzeb.

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2. Administration under Aurangzeb

• Religious Policies of Aurangzeb: Reinstated Jizya and pilgrimage tax on Hindus
  • Strict religious policy marginalising non-Muslims led to various uprisings 
    • Jat rebellion in 1669 and 1685, 
    • Satnami rebellion in 1672,
    • Execution of the ninth Sikh Guru Tegh Bahadur, which led to the Sikh rebellion in 1675.
    • Prohibited court music, drinking of wine, and use of opium.
• Cultural Changes in Aurangzeb’s Court: He dismissed court musicians and royal painters and discontinued the practice of Jharokha darshan.
• Calendar Reform under Aurangzeb: He replaced the Solar calendar with the Hijra calendar under the Influence of Nakshabandi Sufi order.
• Moral Governance: Muhtasibs were appointed to uphold moral codes and sharia.
• Tax Reforms under Aurangzeb: Discontinued “abwab,” a tax levied on the lands over and above the original rent.
• Aurangzeb’s Reputation for Piety: For rigorous adherence to Islamic principles, he was often referred to as Zinda Pir (living saint).
• Nobles: Heredity was accorded the highest priority, and Khanazadas (sons and descendants of mansabdars) constituted almost half the nobility.
  • The number of Hindu officials was maximum during his reign.
• Mansabdari Composition: Marathas: constitute nearly 17% of the Mansabdars and Indian Muslims known as Shaikhzadas, around 12%. Further, scribal communities like Khattris and Kayasthas were also appointed as Mansabdars. 
• Noble Titles and Patronage: The title Mirza Raja was accorded by Aurangzeb to his two highest-ranking nobles, Jai Singh and Jaswant Singh. Titles could be earned or paid for.
• Relation with East India Company: Mughals held English and other companies responsible for the ongoing piracy in the Indian Ocean which led to the Ganj-i-Sawai incident(1695). 
  • It was an attack by the pirates on a Mughal ship used for trade and annual pilgrimages to Mecca. 

3. Art and Architecture

• Veena Virtuoso: He was an accomplished Veena player. However, Aurangzeb is perceived as averse to music.
• Musical Conundrum: Aurangzeb gave patronage to Ishwar Das Nagar who authored Fatuhat-i-Alamgiri, which provides details of Aurangzeb’s reign.
• Literary Patronage: Nuskha-i-Dil Khusha written by Bhimsen Burhanpuri, a Bundela officer in the Mughal service, was written during Aurangzeb’s reign.
• Architecture: Built a mausoleum for his wife Rabia-Ud-Daurani in Aurangabad. It is also known as “Bibi Ka Makbara/ The Second Taj”.
  • He also built the Moti Masjid inside the Red Fort and  Badshahi mosque (Lahore).

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Conclusion

Aurangzeb’s reign was a time of significant military expansion, religious orthodoxy, and cultural patronage. While his strict policies often led to rebellion, he left a lasting architectural and literary legacy. Aurangzeb’s rule represents a complex era in Mughal history, marked by both conquest and cultural achievement.

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