Abu Muzaffar Muhiuddin Muhammad Aurangzeb (3 November 1618 - 3 March 1707), also known as Alamgir I (Seizer of the Universe), was the ruler of the Mughal Empire from 1658 until 1707. He is commonly considered the last of the great Mughal emperors.
Aurangzeb (from Persian, اورنگزیب meaning "suitable for the throne") was the third son of the previous emperor Shah Jahan. Shah Jahan, himself 3/4ths Hindu was relatively relaxed in his pratice of Islam. He had liberally incouraged his eldest son Dara Shikoh in following in the steps of Ackbar=e=Azam. Dara was an accomplished poet and devoted sufi, he was favored for succession.
Aurangzeb had fallen under the influence of the Ulama who believed in a more rigid form of Islam. Beginning in 1657, upon the severe illness of his father, Aurangzeb challenged his brother to the succession. He claimed that Dara Shikoh was a habitual gambler, had drinking problems and was an atheist. Shah Jahan (Seizer of the World) had given his blessings and the royal treasure at Delhi to Dara who hastily used the funds to raise an army which would soon prove to be no match for the well trained professional forces of Aurangzeb. Aurangzeb who had been repeatedly humiliated by his brother's influence with his father at court, had, as well, the support of his youngest brother and his forces. Despite strong support from Shah Jahan, who had recovered enough from his illness to remain a strong factor in the struggle for supremacy, Dara was defeated. He attempted to rally support after this defeat, but was betrayed and turned over to his brother. Dara Shikoh's severed head was presented to Aurangzeb, the story goes that Aurangzeb had the severed head taken to their father to be served to the old man in a dish. He also killed another of his brothers who had supported Dara.
Imprisonment of Shah Jahan
In July 1658 he put his father under house arrest in Agra Fort limiting his authority. Shah Jajan's access to his costumes and jewels was limited, his food was cut back, he was finally confined to one room from which he could at least view the Taj Mahal, he was never to see any of his sons again. His only company was his daughter Jahanara. It is said the major reason for putting his father under house arrest was that Shah Jehan wanted to build another Taj Mahal, a black one this time. But recent research has found that their was a black Tag in the garden across the Yamuna. One whose 'Black Taj' could be seen reflected in a large tank in the garden. Aurangzeb was to waste much of the Mogul fortune of his forbearers in endless wars in the Deccan suporting an army of more than a million men.
The Selafist of His Time?
Before Aurangzeb, Indian Islam had been influenced by mystical Sufi precepts. But based on his conservative interpretation of Islamic principles, Aurangzeb propagated a less mystical, more severe form of Islam. People were forcefully converted to Islam.
Aurangzeb became fascinated with conservative interpretations of the Qur'an, which he set about codifying. According to Aurangzeb's interpretation, Islam did not allow music, so he banished court musicians, dancers and singers. Further, based on Muslim precepts forbidding images, he stopped the production of representational artwork, including the Persianate Mughal miniature painting that had reached its zenith before his rule. He even stopped the practice of his morning appearance on the balcony of the Laal Qila.
In 1675, Aurangzeb publicly executed the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Sikh history states that Guru Tegh Bahadur sacrificed himself to save Hindus who the Emperor had condemned for failure to convert to Islam. This marked a turning point for Sikhism. His successor, Guru Gobind Singh further militarised his followers (see Khalsa). After Aurangzeb killed four of Gobind Singh's sons, Gobind Singh sent Aurangzeb the Zafarnama (Notification of Victory) a famous letter, indicting the Emperors Godlyness, deceit, and treachery. Sikhs believe this document caused Aurangzeb to realize his mistakes and lose the will to live, finally ending in his death in 1707. He was suceded by his son Bahadur Shah who the Sikh army helped to win his throne.
A modern exhibit
Below is a link to a recent exhibit in Bangalore titled Aurangzeb, as he was According to Mughal Records, An Exhibit mounted by fact.
The exhibition contains, and is based on Farmans, original edicts issued by Aurangzeb, preserved at the Bikaner Museum, Rajasthan, India
|These articles deal with Mughal Empire|