Aurangzeb Alamgir, meaning “World Conqueror,” became the Mughal Emperor in 1658. He ascended the throne after defeating his brothers, including Dara Shukoh, in a brutal war of succession. His reign lasted fifty years, divided into two distinct phases. The first twenty-five years were spent in northern India, primarily in Delhi. Here, he directly managed the empire’s affairs while delegating control of the Deccan region to viceroys. In 1681, he moved to the Deccan due to a rebellion led by his son, Prince Akbar. Aurangzeb never returned to Delhi and died in Ahmad Nagar in 1707.
Aurangzeb’s Religious Policy
Aurangzeb’s reign was marked by his staunch commitment to orthodox Sunni Islam. He sought to implement Islamic law across the Mughal Empire.
- Islamic Orthodoxy: Aurangzeb was deeply religious, advocating a puritanical interpretation of Islam. He promoted scholars who shared his conservative views and adhered to strict religious practices.
- Imposition of Jizya: This tax on non-Muslims was reinstated during his reign, creating a perception of discrimination against Hindus and other minorities.
- Persecution of Religious Leaders: Aurangzeb executed Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, for his refusal to convert to Islam. This act of persecution incited Sikh resistance against Mughal rule.
Aurangzeb’s Deccan Policy
Aurangzeb aimed to expand Mughal control over the Deccan Sultanates, particularly Bijapur and Golconda.
- Annexation of Bijapur and Golconda: He launched military campaigns, ultimately capturing Bijapur in 1686 and Golconda in 1687.
- Maratha Resistance: Leaders like Shivaji and Sambhaji led the Maratha resistance against Aurangzeb’s expansion, diverting resources from the Mughal treasury.
- Economic Drain: The prolonged military campaigns drained the empire’s resources, straining the Mughal treasury and impacting governance.
- Impact on Stability: His focus on Deccan campaigns led to neglect in other regions like Bengal and Punjab, contributing to the empire’s decline.
Policies Contributing to the Empire’s Fall
Aurangzeb’s reign is often linked to the decline of the Mughal Empire due to several factors.
- Religious Policies: His measures favoured Islam over other religions, alienating non-Muslim subjects and inciting resistance.
- Deccan Campaigns: These wars drained resources and weakened central authority, exacerbating regional tensions.
- Financial Mismanagement: Increased military spending and inadequate revenue collection led to a fiscal crisis, causing inflation and instability.
- Rebellion and Regional Fragmentation: Various groups, including Jats, Sikhs, and Marathas, challenged Mughal authority, leading to fragmentation.
- Administrative Centralization: His autocratic rule resulted in inefficiencies and increased administrative burdens.
- Succession Crisis: His long reign created tensions that resulted in a crisis after his death, leading to weak successors.
Later Mughal Rulers
After Aurangzeb, the Mughal dynasty faced a series of weak rulers, contributing to the decline of the empire.
- Bahadur Shah I (1707-1712): Attempted to reconcile with Rajputs but faced regional rebellions.
- Jahandar Shah (1712-1713): His reign was marked by instability and internal conflicts.
- Farrukhsiyar (1713-1719): Continued decline of authority and struggled against powerful nobles.
- Muhammad Shah (1719-1748): Known for arts patronage, his reign saw further decline in power.
- Ahmad Shah (1748-1754): Faced regional conflicts and struggled to maintain authority.
- Alamgir II (1754-1759): Lacked administrative experience and attempted to emulate Aurangzeb.
- Shah Jahan III (1759-1760): Installed by Imad-ul-Mulk but was soon removed by Maratha chiefs.
- Shah Alam II (1759-1806): Sought to restore authority amidst Maratha expansion.
- Akbar II (1806-1837): Attempted reforms but faced challenges from the British East India Company.
- Bahadur Shah II (1837-1857): The last Mughal emperor, became a symbolic figure during the Revolt of 1857.
Decline of the Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire experienced decline, leading to the emergence of independent principalities.
Shifting Allegiance of Zamindars
Zamindars played important role in the empire’s administration and revenue collection.
- Powerful Zamindars: Despite attempts to limit their power, many zamindars supported nobles in establishing independent kingdoms.
Jagirdari Crisis
The nobility held large jagirs and mansabs, responsible for maintaining their territories.
- Factions of Nobles: Divisions based on religion and region emerged, undermining the emperor’s authority.
- Undermined Central Power: Rivalry among nobles weakened the central authority, contributing to decline.
Rise of Regional Aspirations
During Aurangzeb’s reign, regional groups like Jats, Sikhs, and Marathas challenged Mughal authority.
- Rajputs: Aurangzeb’s suppression of Rajputs led to their rebellion against Mughal rule.
- Marathas: Initially focused on Maharashtra, they expanded their influence across India.
Political and Administrative Problems
The increase in the number of amirs led to a scarcity of land for jagirs.
- Inflated Income: Aurangzeb’s inflation of jagir income pressured peasants, creating antagonism.
- Lagged Development: The empire saw little scientific or technological advancement.
- Failure to Benefit from Trade: Despite trade growth, the empire did not benefit from it.
Death of Aurangzeb
Following Aurangzeb’s death, economic and administrative problems multiplied. The empire became too vast for effective governance, especially under weak rulers. The decline of the Mughal Empire was marked by fragmentation, regional aspirations, and a lack of central authority, leading to its eventual dissolution.
