Aurangzeb 1658–1707 (OCR GCSE History B (Schools History Project)): Revision Notes
The condition of the Mughal Empire at Aurangzeb's death in 1707
In 1526, the Mughal Empire was established by Babur after he conquered much of northern India. By 1707, with the death of Aurangzeb (88). With the death of the last great Mughal Emperor, the empire began to decline. The death of Aurangzeb was followed by a war of succession among his three sons. Prince Muazzam, the eldest son, won and ascended the throne under the name Bahadur Shah.
After 49 years of ruling about 150 million people and expanding the empire to its greatest extent, Aurangzeb's power came to an end. Aurangzeb's body was buried in a simple grave within a Sufi shrine in Khuldabad, Maharashtra. In contrast to the lavish tombstones of his predecessors.
Aurangzeb was remembered in India as follows:
During his reign, the empire acquired enormous wealth that other empires could not match.
The greatest territorial expansion was seen under his rule. Its population outsripped the entirety of Europe.
Under his rule, a number of European travellers and traders crossing to India increased. Traders from Britain, Portugal, and France established operations and established trade agreements with the Mughals.
The Turbulent Succession
Upon his death, the Mughal Empire was on the verge of rebellion. Azam, governor of Gujarat, proclaimed himself emperor, while Kam Baksh, governor of Deccan conquered Gulbarga and Hyderabad. By 1707-08, Muazzam, governor of Kabul, defeated his brothers and ascended the throne. With the title, Bahadur Shah who succeeded him attempted to reconcile with the Rajputs, the Marathas, the Bundelas, the Jats, and the Sikhs.
In 1712, another war of succession among Bahadur Shah's sons followed after his death. With the help of Zulfikar Khan, a power noble, Jahandar Shah, was rewarded with the post of wazir or prime minister and ruled the empire.
In order to ensure the survival of the empire, Jahandar Shah employed friendly policies towards the Rajputs, Marathas, and the Hindus.
Among the pro-Hindu policies were:
Abolition of jizyah
- Appointment of Jai Singh of Amber as governor of Malwa
- Ajit Singh of Marwar with the title Maharaj was made governor of Gujarat
Bahadur Shah I, also known as Shah Alam I, was referred to by many scholars as the first and the last of the later Mughal emperors to exercise real authority.
The Decline of the Mughal Empire
In 1713, Farrukh Siyar of Agra, immediately overthrew his uncle with the help of the Sayyid brothers. The Sayyid brothers who were labelled as the kingmakers gained the office of the wazir and mir bakshi. Between 1713 and 1719, the Sayyids virtually ruled the empire. They were also the ones who overthrew Farrukh and replaced him with Muhammad Shah, son of Jahan Shah. By 1719 until 1748, jizyah was abolished along with pilgrimage tax. Moreover, religious tolerance was imposed, especially among the Hindus and Muslims.
The court began to decline as rival factions and conspiracies emerged. In addition, the empire experienced financial instability as factions under rebellion refused to pay land tax. The Sayyids were branded as anti-Islamic and traitors because of their policies. In 1720 and 1722 respectively, Hussain Ali was killed by nobles and Abdullah Khan was defeated at Agra. These events ended the rule and influence of the Sayyid brothers.
Under Muhammad Shah, the Maratha of the south and the Rajputs remained loyal to the Mughals, while territories in the north began to collapse.
By 1738, the bankrupt Persian Empire invaded the weak Mughal Empire. At Karnal in 1739, the Mughals faced defeat. The emperor was taken prisoner. Persian ruler Nadir Shah plundered the royal treasury. A number of emperors succeeded the throne and the Mughal Empire faced its end with the coming of the British in 1857.
Glossary of Terms
Aurangzeb
The 6th and last of the great Mughal emperors who was known for expanding the empire at its height.
Muhtasib
Censors of public morals were appointed by Aurangzeb to ensure the imposition of Islamic law, or sharia.
Religious Intolerance
An act of imposing rigid policies on another's religion, which prohibits its believers from practising it.
Marathas
Peasant warriors of western Deccan. They ruled the regions of Bijapur and Ahmadnagar.
Jaziyah
A form of tax levied on Hindus.
Source Analysis
Source A
"My years have gone by profitless. God has been in my heart yet my darkened eyes have not recognised his light. There is no hope for me in the future. You should accept my last will. It should not happen that Musalmans be killed and the blame for their death rest upon this useless creature. I have greatly sinned and know not what torment awaits me. I commit you and your sons to the care of God and bid you farewell. May peace of God be upon you."
- Dr. S.R Sharman on Aurangzeb's religious policy
Source B
"These were not the acts of a righteous ruler of constructive statesman, but the outbursts of blind fanaticism, unworthy of the great genius that Aurangzeb undoubtedly possessed in all other aspects."
- Aurangzeb's letter to Prince Muazzam
Read the sources provided and write a comparative essay to substantiate Aurangzeb's religious policies during his reign. Moreover, express your thoughts if you agree or disagree with the statements.
Exam Practise
Historians suggest that Aurangzeb was the last of the great Mughal emperors. His death brought the empire into uncontrollable decline. Now, to conclude this module, provide a sound discussion of Mughal emperors from Babur to Aurangzeb. Tackle the following topics: (a) territorial expansion, (b) domestic and foreign policies, and (c) issues of succession.