The Decline of the Mughal Empire (1618-1707) PDF

The decline of the Mughal Empire Aurangzeb (1618-1707): expansion at the cost of power Key Questions: How successful an emperor was Aurangzeb? To what extent was Aurangzeb to blame for the decline of the Mughal Empire? Aurangzeb was the last great Mughal emperor. He spent a great part life figh...

The decline of the Mughal Empire Aurangzeb (1618-1707): expansion at the cost of power Key Questions: How successful an emperor was Aurangzeb? To what extent was Aurangzeb to blame for the decline of the Mughal Empire? Aurangzeb was the last great Mughal emperor. He spent a great part life fighting against the Hindu chieftains, Rajput's and Marathas, as he wanted to emulate the Tughlaqs and expand the boundaries of the Empire into the Deccan in the south. 1658: Aurangzeb deposes Shah Jahan to become emperor 1680s: Marathas begin to threaten Mughal power 1707: Death of Aurangzeb; Maratha territory extended to the gates of Delhi and the southern Deccan 1738-9: Persian invasion led by Nadir Shah 1747: First of several Afghan invasions led by Ahmad Shah Abdali 1761: Maratha army destroyed at the Battle of Panipat by the Afghan Ahmad Shah Abdali Aurangzeb born 3 November 1618 at Dahod youngest son of Shah Jahan commanded troops against Uzbeks and Persians. 1646-7 viceroy of Deccan kingdoms, 1636-44. 1654-8 deposed his father and became emperor, 1658 died aged 89 in 1707 WHAT KIND OF MAN WAS AURANGZEB? Aurangzeb was industrious, self-disciplined, and deeply religious. He was ambitious for power but he had no particular desire for wealth or comfort. His clothes were plain and simple. His faith was important to him and he spent a great deal of ums writing out copies of the Quran. He could be ruthless to his enemies, even his own kith and kin. but probably no more than was usual for rulers at the time. However, he never shed blood unnecessarily and he often showed kindness to those around him. But those who stood in his way were eliminated. He instilled fear in his enemies to help him maintain his rule throughout the country. No one could doubt his courage in battle. SOURCE A: HUMANITY AND KINDNESS \'Aurangzeb\'s humanity and kindness was such that the severest punishment was reduction of dignity, and this even was soon restored through the intercession and kind offices of men high in office.\" KHAFI KHAN, supporter of Aurangzeb WHAT KIND OF RULER WAS AURANGZEB? Aurangzeb was a determined ruler and a strict Muslim. He tried to organize the empire strictly in accordance with Islamic law. His religious policies towards non-Muslims were highly controversial and are still of argument. He tried to control peoples\' moral a source behaviour by enjoining good deeds and by stopping them from acts forbidden under Islamic law. As a ruler, he tried to enforce the prescribed practices of the faith amongst Muslims. He went back to the use of the Islamic calendar. A council of theologians was appointed to produce the Fatawa-al-Alamgiriya, an important book of Islamic law. His main ambition as ruler was to expand his authority over all of India. To achieve his goals Aurangzeb believed it necessary and right to use any means. Delhi, the Mughal capital\ Shah Jahan established Delhi as the Mughal capital in 1638. He built a whole new walled city with the largest mosque, Jama Masjid, in India. He gave the city the name Shahjahanabad, and in the 17th century it had a population of about 400,000 people. SOURCE B: THE END JUSTIFIES THE MEANS \'When you have an enemy to destroy, spare nothing rather than fail: neither deception, subterfuges, nor false oaths, for anything is permissible in open war. WHY DID THE JIZYA TAX PROVOKE AN ANGRY REACTION FROM HINDUS? This tax was a deeply disliked differential tax levied on non-Muslims. Originally, jizya had been levied on non- Muslims, from the carliest Islamic period, instead of their being required to join the Muslim army, and as such, could be termed a tax for protection or defence. It had been ended by the Emperor Akbar more than a hundred years earlier. In 1679 Aurangzeb reintroduced this controversial tax. Protests and disturbances followed the announcement but the emperor was determined; some opponents claimed he was trying to force Hindus to convert to Islam, while others saw it as a means to support the long-drawn wars. It should also be kept in mind that Aurangzeb had earlier abolished a large number of other tolls and taxes that were applicable to the whole population. Aurangabad:\ The Indian city of Aurangabad in the Deccan takes its name from Aurangzeb. He used it for many years as his base from which to direct his armies. DID AURANGZEB WEAKEN THE MUGHAL EMPIRE? Aurangzeb extended the Mughal Empire to include all but the very southern\' area of India. He accomplished this by fighting long, costly wars. His policy of heavy taxes to pay for his armies caused hardship to his people. He was frequently away from his capital and his grip on government steadily weakened. In the end, the civil service deteriorated as corruption grew. Although he conquered vast areas of India, Aurangzeb had trouble actually governing his empire: simply keeping in contact with every part of it was a daunting problem. At the time of his death, in 1707, his authority was threatened by revolts from Sikhs in the Punjab and the Marathas in central India. Aurangzeb\'s main misfortune was that in spite of his undoubtedly strong qualities, he ruled millions of people in increasingly difficult times. Aurangzeb\'s great empire had weaknesses which, after his death, contributed to the beginning of Mughal decline. By 1707 Aurangzeb had built up the largest-ever Mughal Empire. Muslims admired his achievements. He was deeply religious and a determined ruler. Resentment and opposition to Mughal rule had increased and strengthened. Revolts weakened his rule and undermined the Empire. LOOKING AHEAD Aurangzeb had given Muslims in India a strong sense of identity, but with his death the Mughal Empire faced enormous strains. The power of Muslim rulers was never to be so strong again. Arguments over succession and a lack of confidence and ability in later emperors ensured the decay of the empire that Aurangzeb had built up. Increasingly others, especially the British, would be able to fill the gap left by the decline of Mughal power. Muslims faced an uncertain and unhappy time.