Aurangzeb Alamgir, the sixth ruler of the Mughal dynasty, remains one of the most debated figures in Indian history. His rule from 1658 to 1707 saw the empire reach its maximum territorial expansion, stretching from the northern Himalayas to the southern tip of India.
While some consider him the architect of a unified subcontinent, others see his reign as one of excessive conservatism and relentless military campaigns that led to the empire’s eventual decline. His legacy continues to shape discussions about India’s history, religion, and governance.
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A Prince Shaped by Struggles
Born on November 3, 1618, in Gujarat, Aurangzeb was the third son of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. Unlike many of his predecessors who embraced the luxurious and culturally diverse traditions of the Mughal court, Aurangzeb was known for his disciplined and deeply religious nature.
His formative years were marked by rigorous administrative and military experiences, as he governed the Deccan region at a young age and led battles in distant territories.
The Mughal throne was never passed down peacefully. After Shah Jahan fell ill in 1657, a war of succession broke out between his sons. Aurangzeb, known for his sharp strategic mind, emerged victorious after defeating his elder brother, Dara Shikoh, in battle.
He imprisoned his father and crowned himself emperor in 1658, taking the title “Alamgir,” meaning “Conqueror of the World.” Though his rise to power was ruthless, such conflicts were common in Mughal succession politics.
The Expansion of the Mughal Empire
Aurangzeb’s reign saw the empire reach its largest size, covering over 4 million square kilometers and governing approximately 150 million people—nearly a quarter of the global population at the time.
His relentless military campaigns led to the annexation of key southern sultanates like Bijapur and Golconda, expanding Mughal influence deep into the Deccan.
His administration was marked by a highly efficient taxation system and a centralized bureaucratic structure. Under his rule, India’s economy flourished, contributing significantly to the global GDP through trade in textiles, spices, and gems.
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Major cities like Delhi and Lahore thrived as centers of commerce and culture. However, his continued military engagements drained financial resources, making governance increasingly difficult.
A Ruler’s Faith and Policies
Aurangzeb’s religious beliefs remain one of the most contested aspects of his rule. Unlike Akbar, who promoted religious inclusivity, Aurangzeb reinstated the jizya tax on non-Muslims and ordered the demolition of certain temples, such as Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi. These actions fueled opposition from groups like the Rajputs and the Jats.
Despite these policies, Aurangzeb also appointed a significant number of Hindu officials in his administration and granted land to Hindu temples in some regions.
Some historians suggest that his religious measures were not entirely rooted in zealotry but were also strategic moves to consolidate power. His enforcement of Islamic laws extended to banning court music and dance, further solidifying his image as an austere ruler.
Seeds of Decline
While Aurangzeb’s territorial ambitions made the empire vast, they also exposed its vulnerabilities. His prolonged wars in the Deccan, particularly against the rising Maratha forces led by Shivaji and later Sambhaji, drained Mughal resources.
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The Marathas’ guerrilla warfare tactics proved to be a formidable challenge, forcing Aurangzeb to spend his last years in military encampments away from Delhi.
At the same time, his religious policies alienated key allies. Rajputs, once loyal supporters, revolted, and Sikhs, angered by the execution of Guru Tegh Bahadur, took up arms under Guru Gobind Singh.
His overextension of power led to widespread revolts, and by the time of his death in 1707, the empire was internally weakened, setting the stage for its fragmentation.
The Debate Over His Legacy
Aurangzeb’s legacy remains a point of contention in modern India. Some view him as a tyrant whose policies suppressed non-Muslims, while others argue that his rule was shaped by the political necessities of his time.
His name frequently appears in contemporary political debates, with roads and monuments being renamed to reflect changing historical narratives.
However, reducing Aurangzeb’s reign to a singular narrative overlooks its complexities. His rule saw both economic prosperity and social unrest, territorial expansion and internal strife.
While his empire was the largest in Mughal history, his policies ultimately contributed to its decline.
Did Aurangzeb Create a Unified India?
To say that Aurangzeb “created India” oversimplifies history. He ruled over a vast and diverse empire but did not establish a unified nation in the modern sense. His administrative and military strategies left a lasting impact, influencing future governance models, including British colonial rule.
However, the fractures caused by his reign ultimately led to the empire’s downfall, paving the way for regional powers to rise.
Aurangzeb was a ruler of contradictions—an emperor who expanded an empire yet saw its foundations weaken, a deeply religious man whose policies alienated key supporters, and a strategist whose vision outpaced the empire’s capacity. As India continues to reflect on its history, Aurangzeb’s legacy remains a subject of study, debate, and reinterpretation.
