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| Name | Aurangzeb |
|---|---|
| Imgw | 230px |
| Succession | 6th Mughal Emperor of India |
| Reign | 31 July 1658 – 3 March 1707() |
| Coronation | 15 June 1659 at Red Fort, Delhi |
| Predecessor | Shah Jahan |
| Successor | Bahadur Shah I |
| Other titles | Al-Sultan al-Azam wal Khaqan ab al-Mukarram Hazrat Abul Muzaffar Muhiuddin Muhammad Aurangzeb Bahadur Alamgir I, Padshah Ghazi, Shahanshah-e-Sultanat Ul Hindiya Wal Mughaliya, Imperial Mansabdar of 50,000, Subahdar of Deccan (1636-1644 and 1652-1658), Subahdar of Gujarat (1645-1647), Subahdar of Balkh (1647), Subahdar of Multan (1648-1652), Subahdar of Sindh (1649-1652) |
| Spouses | Nawab Raj Bai BegumDilras Bano BegamHira Bai Zainabadi MahalAurangabadi MahalUdaipuri Mahal |
| Issue | Zeb-un-Nissa Zinat-un-Nissa Muhammad Azam Shah Mehr-un-Nissa Muhammad AkbarSultan Muhammad Bahadur Shah I Badr-un-Nissa Zabdat-un-Nissa Muhammad Kam Baksh |
| Full name | Abul Muzaffar Muhiuddin Muhammad Aurangzeb Bahadur Alamgir |
| House | Timurid |
| Dynasty | Timurid |
| Father | Shah Jahan |
| Mother | Mumtaz Mahal |
| Birth date | November 04, 1618 |
| Birth place | Dahod, Mughal Empire |
| Death date | March 03, 1707 |
| Death place | Ahmednagar, Mughal Empire |
| Place of burial | Khuldabad |
| Religion | Islam |
Abul Muzaffar Muhy-ud-Din Muhammad Aurangzeb Alamgir(),() ( – ), more commonly known as Aurangzeb () or by his chosen imperial title Alamgir () ("Conquerer of the World", ), was the sixth Mughal Emperor of India, whose reign lasted from 1658 until his death in 1707.
Badshah Aurangzeb Alamgir I, having ruled most of the Indian subcontinent for nearly half a century, was the second longest reigning Mughal emperor after the legendary Akbar. In this period he tried hard to get a larger area, notably in southern India, under Mughal rule than ever before. But after his death in 1707, the Mughal Empire gradually began to shrink. Major reasons include a weak chain of "Later Mughals", an inadequate focus on maintaining central administration leading to governors forming their own empires, a gradual depletion of the fortunes amassed by his predecessors and the growth of secessionist sentiments amongst the other communities of the empire like the Marathas.
Sadullah Khan (later wazir to Shah Jahan), Mir Muhammad Hashim of Gilan and Muhammad Saleh Kamboh were a few of his childhood teachers. At this time, he began building a new city near the former capital of Khirki which he named Aurangabad after himself. In 1637, he married Rabia Durrani. During this period the Deccan was relatively peaceful. In the Mughal court, however, Shah Jahan began to show greater favour to his eldest son Dara Shikoh.
In 1644, Aurangzeb's sister Jahan Ara Begam was accidentally burnt to death in Agra. This event precipitated a family crisis with political consequences. Aurangzeb suffered his father's displeasure when he returned to Agra three weeks after the event, instead of immediately. Meanwhile, Dara gathered his forces, and moved to the Punjab. The army sent against Shuja was trapped in the east, its generals Jai Singh and Diler Khan, submitted to Aurangzeb, but allowed Dara's son Suleman to escape. Aurangzeb offered Shuja the governorship of Bengal. This move had the effect of isolating Dara and causing more troops to defect to Aurangzeb. Shuja, however, uncertain of Aurangzeb's sincerity, continued to battle his brother, but his forces suffered a series of defeats at Aurangzeb's hands. Shuja fled to Arakan (in present-day Burma), where he was executed after leading a failed coup. Murad was finally executed, ostensibly for the murder of his former divan Ali Naqi, in 1661.
With Shuja and Murad disposed of, and with his father Shah Jahan immured in Agra, Aurangzeb pursued Dara, chasing him across the north-western bounds of the empire. After a series of battles, defeats and retreats, Dara was betrayed by one of his generals, who arrested and bound him. In 1659, Aurangzeb arranged his formal coronation in Dehli. He had Dara openly marched in chains back to Delhi where he had him executed on arrival on the 30th of August, 1659. Having secured his position, Aurangzeb kept an already weak Shah Jahan under house arrest at the Agra Fort. Shah Jahan died in 1666.
Soon after his ascension, Aurangzeb abandoned the liberal religious viewpoints of his predecessors. Though Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan's approach to faith was more than the empire's founder, Aurangzeb's position is not so obvious though his conservative interpretation of Islam and belief in the Sharia (Islamic law) is well documented. Despite claims of sweeping edicts and policies, contradictory accounts exist. Specifically, his compilation of the Fatawa-e-Alamgiri, a digest of Muslim law, was either intended for personal use, never enforced, or only poorly done. While some assert the lack of broad adoption was due to an inherent flaw, others insist they were only intended for his observance. While it is possible the war of succession and a continued incursions combined with Shah Jahan's spending made cultural expenditure impossible, Aurangzeb's orthodoxy is also used to explain his infamous "burial" of music. The scene describing the "death of music"(and all other forms of performance) is paradoxically dramatic.
Niccolao Manucci's Storia do Mogor and Khafi Khan's Muntakhab al-Lubab are the only documents which describe the aforementioned event. In Storia do Mogor, Manucci describes the ramifications of Aurangzeb's 1668 decree. Here, Aurangzeb's instructions for the muhtasib seem particularly damning:
In Hindustan both Moguls and Hindus are very fond of listening to songs and instrumental music. He therefore ordered the same official to stop music. If in any house or elsewhere he heard the sound of singing and instruments, he should forthwith hasten there and arrest as many as he could, breaking the instruments. Thus was caused a great destruction of musical instruments. Finding themselves in this difficulty, their large earnings likely to cease, without there being any other mode of seeking a livelihood, the musicians took counsel together and tried to appease the king in the following way: About one thousand of them assembled on a Friday when Aurangzeb was going to the mosque. They came out with over twenty highly-ornamented biers, as is the custom of the country, crying aloud with great grief and many signs of feeling, as if they were escorting to the grave some distinguished defunct. From afar Aurangzeb saw this multitude and heard their great weeping and lamentation, and, wondering, sent to know the cause of so much sorrow. The musicians redoubled their outcry and their tears, fancying the king would take compassion upon them. Lamenting,they replied with sobs that the king's orders had killed Music, therefore they were bearing her to the grave. Report was made to the king, who quite calmly remarked that they should pray for the soul of Music, and see that she was thoroughly well buried. In spite of this, the nobles did not cease to listen to songs in secret. This strictness was enforced in the principal cities.
This implies he not only placed a prohibition on music, but actively sought and crushed any resistance. Without music, and implicitly dance, many Hindu-inspired practices would have been impossible. Lavish celebrations of the Emperor's birthday, commonplace since the time of Akbar, would certainly be forbidden under such conditions. Oddly, artistic work not only steadied during Aurangzeb's reign, it increased. Amidst these and other contradictions, the validity and bias of Manucci and Khafi Khan's work is being questioned.
Another instance of Aurangzeb's notoriety, was his policy of temple destruction. Figures vary wildly from 80 to 60,000, However, Aurangzeb's Firmans on behalf of the Balaji or Vishnu Temple, Varanasi indicate that this wanton destruction was not universal. Noted Historian Richard Eaton believes the overall understanding of temples to be flawed. As early as the sixth century, temples became vital political landmarks as well as religious ones. He writes that not only was temple desecration widely practiced and accepted, it was a necessary part of political struggle.
Francois Bernier, traveled and chronicled Mughal India during the war of succession, notes both Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb's distaste for Christians. This led to the demolition of Christian settlements near the British/European Factories and enslavement of Christian converts by Shah Jahan. Furthermore, Aurangzeb stopped all aid to Christian Missionaries (Frankish Padres) initiated by Akbar and Jahangir.
[Jizyah] refers to what is taken from the Dhimmis, according to [what is stated in] al-Nihayah. It is obligatory upon [1] the free, [2] adult members of [those] who are generally fought, [3] who are fully in possession of their mental faculties, and [4] gainfully employed, even if [their] profession is not noble, as is [stated in] al-Sarajiyyah. There are two types of (jizyah). [The first is] the jizyah that is imposed by treaty or consent, such that it is established in accordance with mutual agreement, according to (what is stated in) al-Kafi. (The amount) does not go above or below (the stipulated) amount, as is stated in al-Nahr al-Fa'iq. (The second type) is the jizyah that the leader imposes when he conquers the unbelievers (kuffar), and (whose amount) he imposes upon the populace in accordance with the amount of property [they own], as in al-Kafi. This is an amount that is pre-established, regardless of whether they agree or disagree, consent to it or not.
The wealthy (are obligated to pay) each year forty-eight dirhams (of a specified weight), payable per month at the rate of 4 dirhams. The next, middle group (wast al-hal) [must pay] twenty-four dirhams, payable per month at the rate of 2 dirhams. The employed poor are obligated to pay twelve dirhams, in each month paying only one dirham, as stipulated in Fath al-Qadir, al-Hidayah, and al-Kafi. (The scholars) address the meaning of "gainfully employed", and the correct meaning is that it refers to one who has the capacity to work, even if his profession is not noble. The scholars also address the meaning of wealthy, poor, and the middle group. Al-Shaykh al-Imam Abu Ja'far, may Allah the most high have mercy on him, considered the custom of each region decisive as to whom the people considered in their land to be poor, of the middle group, or rich. This is as such, and it is the most correct view, as stated in al-Muhit. Al-Karakhi says that the poor person is one who owns two hundred dirhams or less, while the middle group owns more than two hundred and up to ten thousand dirhams, and the wealthy (are those) who own more than ten thousand dirhams...The support for this, according to al-Karakhi is provided by the fatawa of Qadi Khan (died 592/1196). It is necessary that in the case of the employed person, he must have good health for most of the year, as is stated in al-Hidayah. It is mentioned in al-Idah that if a dhimmi is ill for the entire year such that he cannot work and he is well off, he is not obligated to pay the jizyah, and likewise if he is sick for half of the year or more. If he quits his work while having the capacity (to work) he (is still liable) as one gainfully employed, as is [stated in] al-Nihayah. No jizyah is imposed upon their women, children, ill persons or the blind, or likewise on the paraplegic, the very old, or on the unemployed poor, as is stated in al-Hidayah.
From the start of his reign up until his death, Aurangzeb engaged in almost constant warfare. He built up a massive army, and began a program of military expansion along all the boundaries of his empire. Aurangzeb pushed north-west into the Punjab and what is now Afghanistan; he also drove south, conquering three Muslim kingdoms: Nizamss of Ahmednagar, Adilshahis of Bijapur and Qutbshahis of Golconda.
The Nizams's of Ahmednagar, Adilshahi's of Bijapur mostly surrendered and their territories were administered by the Mughal Nawab. The Qutbshahi's of Golconda however refused to surrender, fortified themselves at Golconda, and fiercely protected the Kollur Mine (then, the worlds only diamond mine). After a long siege Mughal forces managed to penetrate the walls by capturing a gate. The Qutbshahi's of Golconda and Abul Hasan Qutb Shah surrendered and also at that point, handed over the Nur-Ul-Ain Diamond, The Hope Diamond, the Wittelsbach Diamond and the The Regent Diamond making the Mughal Emperor the richest monarch in the world.
This combination of military expansion and religious intolerance had deeper consequences. Though he succeeded in expanding Mughal control, it was at an enormous cost in lives and treasure. And, as the empire expanded in size, Aurangzeb's chain of command grew weaker. The Sikhs of the Punjab grew both in strength and numbers, and launched rebellions. The Marathas waged a war with Aurangzeb which lasted for 27 years. Even Aurangzeb's own armies grew restive — particularly the fierce Rajputs, who were his main source of strength. Aurangzeb gave a wide berth to the Rajputs, who were mostly Hindu. While they fought for Aurangzeb during his life, on his death they immediately revolted against his successors.
With much of his attention on military matters, Aurangzeb's political power waned, and his provincial Nawabs grew in authority.
Shah Jahan had exchanged ambassadors with the Ottoman Sultan Murad IV, though no ambassadors were exchanged in Aurangzeb's reign. He,however sympathized with the Ottomans over their European defeats.Suleiman II had asked for his help after defeat at Vienna, but Aurangzeb was too busy with the Deccan wars to commit.
{| border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 90%;" |- bgcolor="#B0C4DE" align="center" ! No. !! Province !! Land Revenue (1697) !! Notes |- | - || Total || £38,624,680 || |- | 1 || Bijapur || £5,000,000 || |- | 2 || Golconda || £5,000,000 || |- | 3 || Bengal || £4,000,000 || |- | 4 || Gujarat || £2,339,500 || |- | 5 || Lahore || £2,330,500 || |- | 6 || Agra || £2,220,355 || |- | 7 || Ajmere || £2,190,000 || |- | 8 || Ujjain || £2,000,000 || |- | 9 || Deccan || £1,620,475 || |- | 10 || Berar || £1,580,750 || |- | 11 || Delhi || £1,255,000 || |- | 12 || Behar || £1,215,000 || |- | 13 || Khandesh || £1,110,500 || |- | 14 || Rajmahal || £1,005,000 || |- | 15 || Malwa || £990,625 || |- | 16 || Allahabad || £773,800 || |- | 17 || Nande (Nandair) || £720,000 || |- | 18 || Baglana || £688,500 || |- | 19 || Tatta (Sind) || £600,200 || |- | 20 || Orissa || £570,750 || |- | 21 || Multan || £502,500 || |- | 22 || Kashmir || £350,500 || |- | 23 || Kabul || £320,725 || |- | 24 || Bakar || £240,000 || |}
, in 1890s ]] He died in Ahmednagar on Friday, 20 February 1707 at the age of 88, having outlived many of his children. His modest open-air grave in Khuldabad expresses his deep devotion to his Islamic beliefs. The tomb lies within the courtyard of the shrine of the Sufi saint Shaikh Burham-u'd-din Gharib (died 1331), who was a disciple of Nizamuddin Auliya of Delhi.
After Aurangzeb's death, his son Bahadur Shah I took the throne. The Mughal Empire, both due to Aurangzeb's over-extension and Bahadur Shah's weak military and leadership qualities, entered a period of terminal decline. Immediately after Bahadur Shah occupied the throne, the Maratha Empire — which Aurangzeb had held at bay, inflicting high human and monetary costs — consolidated and launched effective invasions of Mughal territory, seizing power from the weak emperor. Within a century of Aurangzeb's death, the Mughal Emperor had little power beyond the walls of Delhi.
Category:1618 births Category:1707 deaths Category:Timurid monarchs Category:Mughal emperors Category:People from Agra Category:Agra Category:Indian monarchs Category:Mujaddid
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