The Decline of the Mughal Empire (Aurangzeb) PDF

The Decline of the Mughal Empire Aurangzeb: expansion at the cost of power Aurangzeb’s Ideology Aurangzeb's construction of the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore is often seen as a symbol of his Islamic devotion and imperial grandeur. While there isn't direct evidence linking...

The Decline of the Mughal Empire Aurangzeb: expansion at the cost of power Aurangzeb’s Ideology Aurangzeb's construction of the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore is often seen as a symbol of his Islamic devotion and imperial grandeur. While there isn't direct evidence linking the construction of the mosque specifically to his rivalry with Dara Shikoh, there are several aspects of their relationship and Aurangzeb's motivations that are worth discussing. 1. Aurangzeb’s Religious Devotion Aurangzeb was known for his deep commitment to Islam, which influenced many of his policies and architectural projects. The Badshahi Mosque, completed in 1673, was one of the grandest mosques of its time and reflected his desire to be remembered as a devout Muslim ruler. The mosque’s massive scale and architectural beauty were intended to showcase the strength of Islam under his rule and to leave a lasting religious and cultural legacy. 2. Contrast with Dara Shikoh Dara Shikoh, Aurangzeb’s elder brother and rival, was known for his more liberal and syncretic approach to religion. He was deeply interested in Sufism and sought to bridge the gap between Hinduism and Islam, translating Hindu scriptures like the Upanishads into Persian. Aurangzeb, in contrast, was much more orthodox and saw Dara’s religious views as heretical. After defeating Dara, Aurangzeb sought to assert his own religious authority and orthodoxy. The construction of the Badshahi Mosque can be seen as a part of this effort to define his reign in opposition to Dara’s more inclusive approach to religion. His self-discipline, industrious and simple personal lifestyle were qualities admired by many of his contemporaries, but his Islamic partisanship made him a controversial monarch. He had ambition for power but no desire for luxury, wealth or comfort as his personal lifestyle was marked by simplicity and piety. He even engaged in copying the Quran by hand to demonstrate his devotion. Aurangzeb was a devout Sunni Muslim who strictly adhered to Islamic principles and sought to govern according to Sharia law. A council of theologians was appointed to produce ‘Fatwa-al-Alamgiriya’, book of Islamic law. He went back to the use of the Islamic calendar Restrictions imposed by Aurangzeb  He stopped Hindu traditions in court such as the Jharokha-darshan, an ancient ritual of the monarch appearing on a balcony in front of his people. The use of Hindu astrologers in making almanacs and fixing auspicious dates for important events was discouraged. The great Shia festival of Muharram was stopped Lamps lit on the tombs of Sufi and other Islamic saints were banned. The average length of a beard was fixed at four fingers. Prohibition of alcohol, narcotics, and gambling was implemented. Imposition of the jizya tax Jizya tax refers to poll tax that early Islamic rulers demanded from their non-Muslim subjects. It is a kind of tax that non-Muslims living under the rule of Islam pay to the state in return for the protection of their property, honor and lives. Aurangzeb reintroduced the jizya, a tax on non-Muslims, which had been abolished by Akbar. The jizya was seen to encourage conversion to Islam and reinforce the Islamic character of his empire. These discriminatory customs duties between Muslims and non-Muslims, created two classes of citizenship based on religion. Ø Widespread Discontent: The imposition of jizya was met with widespread anger and resentment among Hindus and other non-Muslim communities. The tax was seen as oppressive. Ø Protests and Rebellions: In response to the jizya, there were protests and instances of non-cooperation from various Hindu communities. Some Rajput rulers and Marathas as well as other regional leaders expressed their displeasure, leading to tensions and occasional rebellions against Mughal authority. The Sikh community, led by Guru Tegh Bahadur, vocally opposed the imposition of jizya. As a result of this he was executed. Ø Economic Burden: The jizya placed an additional financial burden on non-Muslim subjects, particularly the poorer sections of society. This economic strain exacerbated the already existing discontent with Aurangzeb's rule. Ø Support from Orthodox Muslims: The reintroduction of jizya was supported by the orthodox Muslim scholars and sections of the Mughal nobility who favored a more rigid interpretation of Islamic law. They viewed the tax as a legitimate expression of Islamic governance and Aurangzeb’s commitment to upholding Sharia law. Ø Mixed Reactions Among Nobles: While some Muslim nobles supported the jizya, others were concerned about its impact on the empire’s stability. They feared that the policy  could alienate large segments of the population and lead to unrest, which it eventually did. Reflection Although Aurangzeb could be ruthless, yet he never shed blood unnecessarily. He often showed kindness around him. Those who rebelled or stood in his way were effectively eliminated. He instilled fear in his enemies to help maintain his rule. Aurangzeb destroyed the temples not out of anti-Hindu bigotry but out of a determination to punish defiant Hindu princes. The reason that might have driven him to levy discriminatory taxes was the financial desperation caused by his incessant wars or the need to increase the incomes of Islamic and Sufi charities, rather than specifically anti-Hindu sentiment. Aurangzeb had also abolished many taxes and other tolls levied on the masses. Questions Q) What were the motives and beliefs of Aurangzeb? Q) Evaluate the impact of imposition of the jizya tax by Aurangzeb.