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Which of the following was NOT a contributing factor to the decline of the Mughal Empire under Aurangzeb?
Which of the following statements is correct regarding Aurangzeb's military campaigns?
What was the primary reason for Aurangzeb's shift towards Islamic law (Shariat) as the main source of legislation?
Which of the following statements accurately describes Aurangzeb's religious policies?
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Which of the following statements best summarizes the impact of Aurangzeb's reign on the Mughal Empire?
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What was the primary reason for the widespread unrest and rebellion among the peasantry during Aurangzeb's reign?
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Which of the following statements accurately describes Aurangzeb's military campaigns against the Maratha Confederacy?
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Which of the following statements accurately describes the impact of Aurangzeb's religious policies on the Mughal Empire?
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Which of the following statements best describes the growing power of regional kingdoms and chieftains during Aurangzeb's reign?
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Which of the following statements accurately describes Aurangzeb's policies regarding the use of language in administration?
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Which of the following statements accurately describes Aurangzeb's approach to religious tolerance?
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Which of the following regions did Aurangzeb not successfully conquer or subjugate during his military campaigns?
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Which of the following factors is not cited as a contributing reason for the decline of the Mughal Empire during Aurangzeb's reign?
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What was the primary impact of Aurangzeb's Deccan campaign?
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Which of the following statements best describes the impact of Aurangzeb's religious policies on the Mughal Empire?
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Study Notes
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:
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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.
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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:
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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.
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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.
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Description
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.
