Aurangzeb: Mughal Emperor and His Policies

Aurangzeb

Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, also known as Shah Alam II (1659–1707), was one of the last great emperors from the Mughal dynasty of India. He ruled from 1658 until his death, making him the second longest reigning monarch in Indian history after Akbar. His rule saw numerous military campaigns, religious policies that contributed to the decline of the empire, and significant policies that shaped the administrative system.

Policies

Administrative Reforms

Aurangzeb implemented the Dewani Adalat by which he started receiving tributes directly from the vassals instead of through the Subahdars. This direct control over the revenues of the vassals gave him more power and wealth. He also started the practice of appointing governors of provinces from his own family members, thus breaking away from the tradition of appointing them from the nobles.

Economic Policies

The Jagirdari System under Aurangzeb saw the grant of land revenue rights for life or death to military officers and nobles, known as jagirs. This system was introduced by Akbar but became more rigid during Aurangzeb's rule. The Chauth, a tax imposed on salt and sugar, was also collected from certain provinces during his reign. He encouraged production of cotton textiles in Surat, Bengal, Gujarat, Malwa, Madurai, and Satara.

Decline of the Mughal Empire

Despite Aurangzeb's administrative reforms and policies aimed at increasing revenue collection, there were several factors that contributed to the decline of the Mughal Empire. These include:

• Military Expeditions: Under Aurangzeb, the Mughal army fought numerous campaigns against independent kings and chieftains in Bihar, Odisha, Bengal, Bijapur, Golconda, Carnatic, and Afghanistan. The cost of maintaining such large armies led to financial strain within the empire, which further contributed to its eventual downfall.

• Centralization of Power: Aurangzeb's centralization of power led to the marginalization of regional chiefs and nobles, resulting in a decentralized empire. The decline in the influence of these powerful figures contributed to the weakening of the empire.

Religious Policies

Hindu-Muslim Relations

In contrast to his predecessor Shah Jahan who adopted friendly policies towards Hindus and Christianity, Aurangzeb was known for being intolerant towards non-Muslims. However, during his reign, there were no major riots or mass conversions like those under Akbar. His religious tolerance decreased with age, but overall, he had a more lenient policy than Akbar.

Shariat Law

Under his rule, Islamic law (Shariat) became the main source of legislation, replacing Hindustani and Persian law. This shift towards Islamic law further alienated many Hindu vassals from the court, contributing to the erosion of their loyalty to the emperor.

Military Campaigns

Aurangzeb's military campaigns included:

• Bijapur and Golconda: These campaigns were aimed at expanding the Mughal territory and were successful in gaining control over the Deccan region, including Bijapur and Golconda.

• Afghanistan: Aurangzeb started his reign by invading Afghanistan to capture the city of Kandahar, which was lost during the reign of his father, Emperor Shah Jahan. This campaign was a success and marked the beginning of Aurangzeb's military expeditions.

In conclusion, while Aurangzeb's reign represented some administrative reforms and economic growth, these gains were overshadowed by the heavy costs of military expeditions and centralization of power. His religious policies further alienated non-Muslim vassals and contributed to the eventual decline of the Mughal Empire.

Explore the reign of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, including his administrative reforms, economic policies, military campaigns, and religious policies. Learn about the factors that led to the decline of the Mughal Empire under his rule.