Talk with Aurangzeb

Aurangzeb was the sixth Mughal emperor, who ruled over most of the Indian subcontinent from 1658 to 1707. His full name was Abul Muzaffar Muhi-ud-Din Muhammad Aurangzeb Alamgir, and he is often remembered for his devout Islamic faith, expansionist strategies, and the administrative rigor he brought to the Mughal Empire.

Born on November 3, 1618, Aurangzeb was the third son of Shah Jahan—the fifth Mughal emperor, famous for building the Taj Mahal—and Mumtaz Mahal. Though initially not the primary heir, Aurangzeb ascended to the throne after a bitter war of succession against his brothers, most notably against Dara Shikoh, whom he defeated and later had executed.

Under Aurangzeb's reign, the empire reached its territorial peak, covering most of the Indian subcontinent. However, his rule is marked by controversy. He is criticized for his religious policies which are often viewed as intolerant towards non-Muslims, including reimposing the jizya (a tax on non-Muslims), and demolishing several Hindu temples, although recent scholarship suggests a more nuanced approach in his dealings with other religions.

Aurangzeb's reign was also characterized by several prolonged conflicts, including wars in the Deccan region, against the Marathas, and in the northwest against the Sikhs and Pashtuns. His military campaigns put a strain on the empire's finances and were a factor in its subsequent decline after his death.

Aurangzeb passed away in 1707, and his burial site is in Khuldabad, Maharashtra. His legacy is mixed; some view him as a disciplined ruler who took keen interest in the administration and expanded the empire to its zenith, while others criticize him for his conservative religious policies and the oppression they associate with his reign.

Aurangzeb had a few personal hobbies and interests that reflected his austere and disciplined character. Despite his strict persona, he indulged in a few activities that provided him with personal satisfaction and respite from his imperial duties:

1. Calligraphy: Aurangzeb was skilled in calligraphy and took great interest in writing beautiful scripts, particularly in Naskh and Nastaliq styles. This hobby not only aligned with his religious inclinations but also served as a meditative practice.

2. Reading: Being a devout Muslim, Aurangzeb spent considerable time reading religious texts, including the Quran and Hadith. His interest in Islamic scholarship was profound, and he was known to engage with various theological and legal works to better understand Islamic precepts.

3. Architecture: Although less enthusiastic about grandiose architectural projects than his predecessors, Aurangzeb did involve himself in the construction of mosques and madrasas, most notably the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, which is one of the largest mosques in the world. His contributions to architecture were more functional and austere, reflecting his personal and religious values.

4. Music: Early in his life, Aurangzeb was trained in playing the Veena, a classical Indian musical instrument. However, as his reign progressed and his religious views hardened, he distanced himself from music, considering it un-Islamic, and reportedly banned music from his court.

These activities not only helped him in his administrative duties but also provided him with a sense of personal fulfillment and spiritual enrichment.

Aurangzeb, unlike his predecessors who are well-known for their architectural contributions, is not as famous for initiating major architectural projects. His reign, which is marked by a return to a more conservative form of Islam and a focus on empire consolidation, saw less emphasis on monumental architecture. However, there are still some significant constructions and architectural contributions related to him:

1. Badshahi Mosque in Lahore: One of Aurangzeb’s most famous architectural achievements is the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan. Completed in 1673, it was one of the largest mosques in the world at the time of its completion. The mosque is an excellent example of Mughal architecture with its large courtyard, intricate marble inlay, and expansive prayer hall.

2. Bibi Ka Maqbara in Aurangabad: Often referred to as the "Taj of the Deccan," this mausoleum was built by Aurangzeb’s son, Prince Azam Shah, as a tribute to his mother, Dilras Banu Begum. Although Aurangzeb himself did not commission it, its construction during his reign is sometimes associated with his architectural patronage. It bears a striking resemblance to the Taj Mahal, though it is less ornate.

3. Moti Masjid in Red Fort, Delhi: Another notable contribution is the Moti Masjid, a white marble mosque inside the Red Fort of Delhi, which was added by Aurangzeb for his personal use. This mosque served as a place for the emperor’s daily prayers and remains an important architectural feature of the fort complex.

4. Fortifications and Military Structures: Aurangzeb’s reign is also noted for the consolidation and fortification of the empire's frontiers. He reinforced various forts across the Indian subcontinent, which were strategic for his military campaigns and the defense of the Mughal territories. The strengthening of the frontier forts, often crucial in his campaigns against the Marathas and in the Deccan, was a significant aspect of his architectural undertakings.

While architecture may not have been as prominent in Aurangzeb's policies compared to his forebearers like Shah Jahan, the structures from his era had practical and strategic purposes, reflecting his priorities as a ruler.

Aurangzeb's relationships with his siblings were complex and marked by intense rivalry, as was common among Mughal princes, who were often pitted against each other for succession to the throne. Aurangzeb was one of the sons of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, with brothers Dara Shikoh, Shah Shuja, and Murad Baksh, and a sister, Jahanara Begum.

1. Dara Shikoh: He was the eldest and the favorite son of Shah Jahan, designated as his successor. Aurangzeb and Dara Shikoh were ideological and strategic rivals. Dara was a liberal Muslim who had interest in Sufism and other religions, whereas Aurangzeb was a conservative and orthodox Muslim. Their rivalry culminated in a bitter war of succession, after which Aurangzeb defeated Dara, declared him a heretic, and eventually had him executed in 1659.

2. Shah Shuja: The second son of Shah Jahan, Shuja also declared himself emperor in Bengal upon hearing of Shah Jahan’s illness. Aurangzeb’s relationship with Shuja was also adversarial as they battled for the throne. After several defeats, Shah Shuja fled to Arakan (in present-day Myanmar), where he eventually died under mysterious circumstances.

3. Murad Baksh: Aurangzeb initially allied with Murad to defeat their other brothers and consolidate their power. However, once they succeeded, Aurangzeb had Murad arrested under charges of murder and ultimately executed in 1661, securing his position as the sole ruler.

4. Jahanara Begum: Aurangzeb’s relationship with his sister Jahanara, who was very close to their brother Dara Shikoh, appears to have been more cordial compared to his relationships with his brothers. After Aurangzeb’s ascension to the throne, Jahanara was eventually pardoned and played a role in the imperial court.

These relationships reflect the intense competition and intrigue typical of the Mughal imperial family, where brothers often turned into rivals in a contest for power, leading to conflicts that were sometimes resolved through lethal means.

Aurangzeb, the sixth Mughal Emperor, who ruled from 1658 to 1707, was perceived in varied and often conflicting ways by his contemporaries, reflecting the complexity of his reign and policies.

1. Ruler with Strong Adherence to Islamic Principles: Aurangzeb was deeply religious, and his policies promoted Islamic orthodoxy. He implemented Sharia law, banned certain Hindu practices he viewed as heretical, and reinstated the jizya tax on non-Muslims. This earned him respect from certain Muslim quarters who saw him as a pious leader striving to run his empire according to Islamic principles.

2. Seen as a Disciplinarian: Aurangzeb was known for his austerity and frugality, which was in stark contrast to the opulence displayed by his predecessors. His strict adherence to discipline was admired by some for bringing administrative efficiency but was also seen as overly rigid by others.

3. Controversial for His Religious Policies: His reign marked a departure from the relatively liberal religious policies of his predecessors like Akbar. Aurangzeb’s efforts to enforce Islamic laws and his suppression of other religious practices, including the destruction of some Hindu temples, led to significant discontent and rebellion among his Hindu subjects. This aspect of his rule was particularly condemned by those who were directly affected by his policy changes.

4. Military Leader: He was acknowledged as a capable military leader, having expanded the Mughal Empire to its greatest territorial extent. However, this expansion was accompanied by constant military campaigns, which were costly and placed a substantial burden on the empire’s resources and stability.

5. Divisive Figure in the Empire: Aurangzeb's long reign saw the beginning of the decline of the Mughal Empire. Some contemporaries blamed his policies and prioritization of religious orthodoxy over administrative innovation for the weakening of the empire’s structural integrity, leading to its vulnerability to external and internal pressures.

Due to these varied facets of his rule, Aurangzeb's contemporaries ranged from viewing him as a pious ruler and adept administrator to seeing him as a divisive and austere figure whose policies ultimately contributed to the decline of the Mughal Empire. This mixed perception continues to influence the historiographical debate around his reign.

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