Aurangzeb was the sixth Mughal emperor and ruled for nearly 50 years. He is known for his military expansion, strict Islamic policies, and long wars against the Marathas and Rajputs. His rule marked the beginning of the decline of the Mughal Empire.
Basic Information on Aurangzeb
- Full Name: Muhi-ud-Din Muhammad Aurangzeb Alamgir
- Born: 3 November 1618 CE
- Birthplace: Dahod, Gujarat, India
- Dynasty: Mughal Dynasty
- Father: Shah Jahan
- Mother: Mumtaz Mahal
- Major Battles: War of Succession (1657-1658), Mughal-Maratha Wars, Deccan Campaigns
- Religious Policy: Orthodox Sunni Islam, reimposed Jizya tax on non-Muslims
- Major Achievements: Expanded Mughal Empire to its largest extent, built Bibi Ka Maqbara
- Death: 3 March 1707 CE (Ahmednagar, Maharashtra)
Accession to the Throne (1658 CE) – The War of Succession
After Shah Jahan fell ill in 1657, a war broke out between his four sons:
- Dara Shikoh – Eldest, liberal, supported by Shah Jahan.
- Aurangzeb – Militarily strong, strict Islamic ruler.
- Shah Shuja – Governor of Bengal, defeated by Aurangzeb.
- Murad Baksh – Governor of Gujarat, later executed by Aurangzeb.
Battle of Samugarh (1658) – Aurangzeb’s Victory
- Defeated Dara Shikoh and captured Agra.
- Imprisoned Shah Jahan in Agra Fort until his death (1666).
- Executed Dara Shikoh (1659) and Murad Baksh.
Aurangzeb’s Expansion and Military Campaigns
1. Northern India Campaigns (1660-1680)
- Annexed Assam, Bijapur, and Golconda.
- Fought against Rajputs, Sikhs, and Jats in North India.
2. Mughal-Maratha Wars (1660-1707)
- Fought against Shivaji (Maratha leader), who escaped from Agra (1666).
- Killed Shivaji’s son, Sambhaji (1689), but failed to destroy the Marathas.
- The Marathas became the biggest challenge to Mughal rule.
3. Deccan Wars (1681-1707)
- Conquered Bijapur (1686) and Golconda (1687).
- Continued wars in South India until his death.
Religious Policies of Aurangzeb
1. Reimposed Jizya Tax (1679)
- Tax on non-Muslims (Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, etc.).
- Opposed by Rajputs and Marathas.
2. Destroyed Hindu Temples
- Ordered destruction of Kashi Vishwanath and Mathura temples.
- Built mosques in place of some temples.
3. Persecuted Sikhs
- Executed Guru Tegh Bahadur (9th Sikh Guru) in 1675 for resisting forced conversion.
- Led to military rise of the Sikhs under Guru Gobind Singh.
4. Banned Music and Arts (1668)
- Stopped Mughal court music, dance, and paintings.
- Dismissed artists and scholars from court.
Aurangzeb’s Administration and Policies
1. Expansion of Mughal Empire
- Empire reached its largest extent (Kashmir to Karnataka).
- Controlled 4 million square kilometers.
2. Strong Centralized Administration
- Appointed Mansabdars (Military Officers) but overburdened the treasury.
- Failed to manage the vast empire effectively.
3. Decline of Mughal Economy
- Long wars drained the treasury.
- Heavy taxes on peasants led to revolts.
- Marathas, Jats, and Rajputs weakened Mughal control.
Aurangzeb’s Major Opponents
| Opponent | Conflict |
|---|---|
| Shivaji (Marathas) | Escaped from Agra (1666), fought against Aurangzeb |
| Sikh Gurus | Guru Tegh Bahadur executed (1675), Guru Gobind Singh fought Mughals |
| Rajputs | War against Mewar and Marwar |
| Jats & Satnamis | Peasant revolts in North India |
| Afghans | Revolted in Kandahar |
Aurangzeb’s Death and the Decline of the Mughal Empire
- Died in 1707 (Ahmednagar, Maharashtra).
- Buried in Aurangabad in a simple grave.
- His death led to rapid decline of the Mughal Empire.
- Successors (Bahadur Shah I, Jahandar Shah, etc.) were weak.
Comparison: Aurangzeb vs. Akbar
| Feature | Aurangzeb | Akbar |
|---|---|---|
| Religious Policy | Strict Sunni Islam, reimposed Jizya | Universal Tolerance (Sulh-i-Kul) |
| Military Expansion | Largest Mughal Empire (South India) | North & Central India, Deccan |
| Rajput Relations | Fought Rajputs | Allied with Rajputs, Married Rajput princesses |
| Arts & Culture | Banned music, destroyed temples | Promoted Persian and Indian culture |
| Administration | Mansabdari System overburdened empire | Efficient Mansabdari System |
Key Facts for Quick Revision
- Aurangzeb defeated Dara Shikoh in the War of Succession (1658).
- Imprisoned Shah Jahan in Agra Fort (1658-1666).
- Defeated Shivaji, but failed to control the Marathas.
- Annexed Bijapur (1686) and Golconda (1687).
- Executed Guru Tegh Bahadur (1675), leading to Sikh resistance.
- Reimposed Jizya tax on Hindus (1679).
- Banned music, painting, and dance in the Mughal court.
- Died in 1707, buried in Aurangabad.
- After his death, Mughal Empire started to decline.
MCQs on Aurangzeb
1. Who was Aurangzeb’s main rival in the Mughal War of Succession?
A) Shah Jahan
B) Dara Shikoh
C) Shivaji
D) Guru Gobind Singh
✅ Answer: B) Dara Shikoh
2. Which tax did Aurangzeb reimpose on Hindus in 1679?
A) Zakat
B) Jizya
C) Khilafat
D) Iqta
✅ Answer: B) Jizya
3. Which two Deccan Sultanates were annexed by Aurangzeb?
A) Bijapur and Golconda
B) Ahmednagar and Bengal
C) Rajputana and Marwar
D) Gujarat and Kashmir
✅ Answer: A) Bijapur and Golconda
4. Which Sikh Guru was executed by Aurangzeb in 1675?
A) Guru Nanak
B) Guru Tegh Bahadur
C) Guru Gobind Singh
D) Guru Arjan Dev
✅ Answer: B) Guru Tegh Bahadur
5. Where was Aurangzeb buried?
A) Delhi
B) Agra
C) Aurangabad
D) Lahore
✅ Answer: C) Aurangabad
Subjective Questions for Further Revision
Short Answer Questions (2-5 Marks)
- Who was Aurangzeb, and what were his major achievements?
- Describe Aurangzeb’s religious policies.
- Why did Aurangzeb fight the Marathas for so long?
- How did Aurangzeb expand the Mughal Empire?
- What was the impact of Aurangzeb’s rule on the Mughal Empire?
Long Answer Questions (8-15 Marks)
- Discuss Aurangzeb’s Deccan campaigns and their results.
- Compare Aurangzeb’s rule with Akbar’s rule.
- How did Aurangzeb’s religious policies lead to the decline of the Mughal Empire?
- Explain the conflict between Aurangzeb and the Sikhs.
- Describe the War of Succession (1657-1658) and its impact on the Mughal Empire.