Aurangzeb was the sixth Mughal emperor, who ruled from 1658 to 1707. He was born on October 24, 1618, in Dahod, Gujarat.
Aurangzeb was the third son of Emperor Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, after Dara Shikoh and Shuja.
In 1657, Shah Jahan fell seriously ill, and a power struggle ensued between his four sons. Aurangzeb emerged victorious and imprisoned his father in the Agra Fort.
After Shah Jahan’s death in 1666, Aurangzeb had his three brothers executed to consolidate his power.
Aurangzeb’s reign was marked by military conquests. He conquered the Deccan and annexed the Bijapur and Golconda kingdoms.
In 1675, Aurangzeb ordered the execution of the Sikh guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur, for refusing to convert to Islam.
Aurangzeb imposed Islamic law on his subjects and banned many Hindu practices, including music, dancing, and gambling.
Aurangzeb’s rule was also marked by several rebellions, including the Jat rebellion in 1669, the Satnami rebellion in 1672, and the Maratha rebellion in 1674.
The Mughal-Sikh Wars were also fought during Aurangzeb’s reign, with the Sikh Khalsa emerging as a formidable force against the Mughals.
In 1686, Aurangzeb captured the city of Bijapur, which was one of the last remaining strongholds of the Deccan Sultanates.
In 1687, Aurangzeb besieged the city of Golconda and captured it after a long and bloody battle.
The Mughal Empire’s finances were severely strained during Aurangzeb’s reign due to his military campaigns and religious policies.
Aurangzeb’s rule was marked by the decline of the Mughal Empire’s power and influence, and the emergence of several regional powers.
Aurangzeb’s policies of religious intolerance and oppression led to widespread discontent among his subjects.
The Marathas emerged as a major power during Aurangzeb’s reign, and their conflicts with the Mughals would eventually lead to the downfall of the Mughal Empire.
In 1707, Aurangzeb died in Ahmednagar while campaigning in the Deccan.
Aurangzeb’s legacy is a controversial one, with many historians criticizing his policies of religious intolerance and oppression, while others praise his military conquests and administrative reforms.
Aurangzeb is remembered for his building projects, including the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, the Moti Masjid in Delhi, and the Bibi Ka Maqbara in Aurangabad.
Aurangzeb was a prolific writer and wrote several books, including the Maasir-i-Alamgiri, which chronicles his reign.
Aurangzeb’s reign was a significant period in Indian history, and his policies and actions continue to be studied and debated to this day.
