Introduction
Aurangzeb ruled the Mughal Empire from 1658 to 1707, the longest reign in the dynasty’s history. A determined ruler and devout Sunni Muslim, he diverged significantly from the liberal and secular approach of his predecessors. His reign was marked by aggressive expansion, rigid religious orthodoxy, repressive fiscal policies, and constant military conflicts—particularly in the Deccan. While he extended the empire to its largest geographical size, his reign also witnessed increasing administrative inefficiency, revolts, and economic exhaustion, which sowed the seeds for the Mughal decline.
1. Accession and Early Power Struggles
a. War of Succession
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Aurangzeb ascended the throne after defeating his brothers Dara Shikoh, Shuja, and Murad.
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Dara Shikoh, the eldest and liberal-minded, was captured and executed in 1659.
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Aurangzeb justified his actions by claiming to be the protector of Islam and Sharia.
b. Imprisonment of Shah Jahan
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After taking power, Aurangzeb imprisoned his father Shah Jahan in the Agra Fort, where the former emperor died in 1666.
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This act created lasting divisions in the royal family and within the court nobility.
2. Religious Policies and Ideology
a. Orthodoxy and Sharia
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Aurangzeb was a devout follower of Sunni Islam and implemented Islamic law across the empire.
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He reimposed the Jizya tax (abolished by Akbar) on non-Muslims in 1679.
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Prohibited music and dance in the court, breaking the long-standing tradition of artistic patronage.
b. Temple Demolition and Religious Intolerance
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Ordered the demolition of several Hindu temples, including the Kashi Vishwanath and Kesava Deo temple.
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Policies alienated Rajputs, Marathas, Sikhs, and Deccan rulers, leading to widespread discontent and rebellion.
c. Religious Censorship
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Discontinued the practice of Sulah-e-Kul (universal tolerance).
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Censored books, banned Hindu festivals, and persecuted groups like the Shia Muslims, Sikhs, and Jains.
3. Administrative and Military Expansion
a. Deccan Campaigns
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Aurangzeb's major preoccupation was with the Deccan, where he aimed to subdue Bijapur, Golkonda, and the Marathas.
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Bijapur was annexed in 1686, Golkonda in 1687.
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Engaged in a long and draining guerrilla war with the Marathas, led by Shivaji and later Sambhaji.
b. Maratha Resistance
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Shivaji emerged as a major opponent of Mughal expansion.
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After Shivaji’s death, his son Sambhaji was captured and executed, which intensified the Maratha rebellion.
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Aurangzeb spent the last 27 years of his life in the Deccan, draining the imperial treasury.
c. Overextension and Weakening Control
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Although the empire reached its maximum territorial extent under Aurangzeb, control was superficial in many regions.
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Lack of strong local alliances and poor integration of new territories weakened the central authority.
4. Rebellions and Internal Dissent
a. Rajput Rebellion (1679–1700s)
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Rajputs, previously allies of the Mughals, revolted due to Aurangzeb’s interference in the succession of Marwar and religious discrimination.
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Prolonged battles with Rathore and Sisodia rulers strained imperial resources.
b. Sikh Opposition
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Execution of the 9th Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur, led to deep mistrust.
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Guru Gobind Singh militarized the Sikhs by founding the Khalsa in 1699, which later played a crucial role in resisting Mughal rule.
c. Jat and Satnami Rebellions
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Jats of Mathura and Satnamis in Haryana rose in revolt against harsh revenue demands and religious persecution.
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These were ruthlessly crushed, but frequent uprisings signaled growing unrest.
5. Economic and Fiscal Crisis
a. Costly Military Campaigns
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Wars in the Deccan, against the Marathas and rebellious vassals, led to military over-expenditure.
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Maintenance of a large standing army further depleted the treasury.
b. Revenue Strain and Peasant Unrest
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Frequent wars meant increased taxation on peasants, leading to widespread agrarian distress.
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Breakdown of the revenue-sharing system due to corruption and decentralization.
c. Decline in Trade and Administration
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The oppressive religious policies affected Hindu merchants and Zamindars.
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Breakdown of trust and coordination between the emperor and local administrators.
6. Legacy of Aurangzeb
a. Empire at Its Peak — But Fragile
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Mughal Empire stretched from Kandahar in the west to Chittagong in the east, and from the Himalayas to Tamil Nadu.
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But much of this control was nominal and held by force, not consent.
b. Cultural and Artistic Decline
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Aurangzeb’s disinterest in art and music led to a cultural vacuum.
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No significant architectural monuments, unlike the lavish constructions under Akbar or Shah Jahan.
c. Start of Decline
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His death in 1707 led to a power vacuum and a series of weak successors.
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Mughal Empire fragmented within decades, giving rise to regional kingdoms and increasing European colonial influence.
Conclusion
Aurangzeb remains one of the most debated figures in Indian history. As a ruler, he expanded the empire’s borders farther than ever before, but at the cost of internal cohesion, social harmony, and administrative efficiency. His religious bigotry, ceaseless military ambitions, and inability to sustain the cultural richness of earlier reigns turned his apparent triumphs into long-term liabilities. The very methods he used to strengthen his empire sowed the seeds of its downfall. His reign stands as a powerful reminder that political centralization without cultural inclusivity and economic prudence is unsustainable in the long run.