Aurangzeb
Kartavya Desk Staff
- •Source: BS*
Context: Recent violent clashes erupted in Nagpur over demands for the removal of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb.
About Aurangzeb:
• Muhi-ud-Din Muhammad Aurangzeb (Alamgir I) — Known for his military expansion and strict adherence to Islamic principles.
• Born: November 3, 1618, in Dahod, Gujarat — Born to Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal.
• Reign: 1658–1707 — His 50-year rule was the longest and marked by territorial expansion and religious conservatism.
• Death: March 3, 1707 — Died in Ahmednagar while managing the Deccan campaigns.
Aurangzeb’s Administration & Governance:
• Centralized Administration: He directly supervised every policy and order, reducing ministerial autonomy.
• Revenue System: Introduced revenue farming, where middlemen collected taxes, causing corruption and inefficiency.
• Legal Reforms: Appointed Muhtasibs to enforce Sharia law and ensure public morality.
• Military Expansion: Expanded the empire to its largest geographical extent, covering nearly 4 million sq. km.
Aurangzeb’s Contributions:
• Art and Architecture:
• Badshahi Mosque (1673): Built in Lahore; known for its massive structure and grandeur. Bibi Ka Maqbara (1678): Monument in Aurangabad resembling the Taj Mahal, built in memory of his wife. Idgah in Mathura: Constructed on the ruins of a temple to assert Mughal authority over rebellious Jats.
• Badshahi Mosque (1673): Built in Lahore; known for its massive structure and grandeur.
• Bibi Ka Maqbara (1678): Monument in Aurangabad resembling the Taj Mahal, built in memory of his wife.
• Idgah in Mathura: Constructed on the ruins of a temple to assert Mughal authority over rebellious Jats.
• Literature & Education:
• Fatawa-e-Alamgiri: A collection of Islamic laws that guided governance and personal conduct. Patronage to Scholars: Supported Persian and Arabic literature development to spread Islamic knowledge. Quran Copying: He personally copied the Quran, reflecting his piety and devotion.
• Fatawa-e-Alamgiri: A collection of Islamic laws that guided governance and personal conduct.
• Patronage to Scholars: Supported Persian and Arabic literature development to spread Islamic knowledge.
• Quran Copying: He personally copied the Quran, reflecting his piety and devotion.
• Religious Policies:
• Imposed Jizya tax (1679): Reintroduced tax on non-Muslims, seen as both revenue generation and religious assertion. Temple Destruction: Ordered selective temple demolitions, though some scholars argue they were politically motivated. Execution of Guru Tegh Bahadur (1675): Ordered due to refusal to convert and growing Sikh influence.
• Imposed Jizya tax (1679): Reintroduced tax on non-Muslims, seen as both revenue generation and religious assertion.
• Temple Destruction: Ordered selective temple demolitions, though some scholars argue they were politically motivated.
• Execution of Guru Tegh Bahadur (1675): Ordered due to refusal to convert and growing Sikh influence.