Aurangzeb - Early Reign and Religious Policy

Aurangzeb (1658–1707) was the last of the great Mughal emperors. After defeating his brothers and imprisoning his father Shah Jahan, he began a reign that transformed the empire’s character.

Early Military Campaigns

Early in his reign, Aurangzeb focused on expanding imperial control. He annexed Assam (Ahom kingdom) and the frontier territories. However, his long reign was marked by almost continuous warfare, especially in the Deccan and against the Marathas.

Religious Orthodoxy

Aurangzeb sought to rule according to orthodox Sunni Islam, reversing Akbar’s liberal policies. Key measures included:

• Reimposition of jiziya on non-Muslims (1679).
• Destruction of temples, most notably the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi and the Keshav Rai temple in Mathura.
• Replacing Hindu officials in the administration, though many still served.
• Censorship of un-Islamic practices, banning sati (though inconsistently), music, and drinking at court.
• Execution of Sikh Guru Tegh Bahadur (1675) for refusing to convert, intensifying Sikh resistance.

Impact on the Empire

These policies alienated large sections of the population, particularly Rajputs, Marathas, Jats, and Sikhs. The Rajput war (1679–81) against Marwar and Mewar eroded a key pillar of Mughal strength. The Maratha insurgency under Shivaji and later under Sambhaji gained momentum.

While Aurangzeb’s personal piety and simplicity were admired, his sectarian approach strained the empire’s multi-religious fabric, contributing to long-term instability.