CH: - 6 (Abul Muzaffar Mohiuddin

Muhammad Aurangzeb Alamgir Padshah

Ghazi.)
(1658-1707)
SQ/A:-
Q1) Tell about the accession of Aurangzeb.

A) After the battle of Samugarh, Aurangzeb captured Agra and proclaimed himself the emperor of Delhi
in 1658 A.D. The formal coronation (accession ceremony) was deferred to future data as he had yet to
deal with the rivals. He ascended the throne with great splendor, for the second time, on the 5 th June,
1659 under the title of Abul Muzaffar Mohiuddin Muhammad Aurangzeb Alamgir Padshah Ghazi.

The coronation festivals continued for full 2 months and were meant to make the occasion a source of
happiness to all sections of the populace in the Empire.

Q2) Tell about the early life of Aurangzeb.

A) Aurangzeb was born in 1618. He was the 3 rd son of Shah Jahan. After the failure of the revolt of Shah
Jahan, against Jahangir, Dara Shiko and Aurangzeb were held as hostage under Nur Jahan’s order.
Therefore, Aurangzeb had to spend 3 years of his childhood with his grandfather.

Q3) Tell about the education and nourishment of Aurangzeb.

A) Aurangzeb was tutored by very able teachers and Ulama e Din. He was also taught different
languages like: - Arabic, Persian, Turki, and Hindi. He was also an expert in the art of Warfare.

He even at the age of 15; defeated a violent elephant and received the title of Bravery from Shah Jahan.

Q4) Tell about the relation between Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb.

A) Shah Jahan was familiar with the abilities of Aurangzeb and that is the reason why he used to send
him on crucial expeditions. He even appointed him as the Viceroy of Deccan. Although, the expedition of
Central Asia was failed, but overall Aurangzeb’s performance was exceptional.

.) Aurangzeb in Deccan:-

On the subjugation of Ahmadnagar, Golkonda, and Bijapur, Shah Jahan appointed

rd
Aurangzeb, his 3 son, Viceroy of Deccan. Aurangzeb showed his ability, intelligence and dexterity in
suppressing the enemies of the Empire, capturing the district of Baglana lying between Khandesh and
the Surat coast and compelling Shahaji to surrender to him, but he was much distributed in his
administration of the Deccan by the machinations of his eldest brother, Dara who poisoned the ears of
Shah Jahan against him. Being disgusted with the undue interference of his brother and the partiality of
his father towards his brother, he tendered his resignation in May, 1644.
.) Dr. J.N Sarkar says,

“In 1644, the prince gave up his duties and took a life of retirement as a protest against
Dara Shikoh’s jealous interference with his works and Shah Jahan’s partiality to his eldest son. At this,
the Emperor deprived him of governorship, estate and allowance.”

Q5) Tell about the reign of Aurangzeb.

A) The long reign of Aurangzeb may be divided into 2 equal parts.

The first (1658-1681) which was passed in Northern India and the second (1682-1707) in the Deccan.
During the first part, the center of interest was in the north were Aurangzeb had to deal with the
problems of the North-Western Frontier, the North-Eastern Frontier and the affairs in Rajputana.

In the second part (1681-1707), the center of activities was in the south, which is one of the most
important epochs in the history of Indo-Pakistan. Here he had to deal with the Sultanates of Bijapur and
Golkonda and the rising tide of Maratha nationalism.

Q6) Tell about the early measures of Aurangzeb.

A) Like many Asiatic rulers he started his reign by taking some measures to the wounds caused by civil
war:-

1) He abolished many illegal taxes in order to alleviate the sufferings of the people.

2) He restored the Muslim Lunar calendar.

3) He also discontinued the Ilahi Era of Akbar to satisfy the Sunni Muslims.

4) Many new appointments were made.

5) He also carried out the transfers of the provincial governors which effected to stop corruptions and
steps were taken to please his supporters and to conciliate the officers and nobles who had supported
the cause of his rival brothers and thus converted his enemies into friends.

6) He banned the women, from going to shrines and abolished the manufacturing of solid graves.

7) Shah Jahan started to print “Kalma Taiyaba” on the coins, but some Ulema found it quite
disrespectful. Hence, Aurangzeb abolished it.

Q7) Write a note on Aurangzeb’s relation with the Rajputs.

A) The policy of Aurangzeb towards the Rajputs has been a subject of severe criticism and has already
irritated the brains of many scholars, both Muslim and non-Muslim. Sir Jadunath Sarkar has mentioned 3
main factors which determined the Rajputs policy of the Emperor.

1) Firstly, the commercial importance of Marwar demanded its annexation to the Mughal Empire as the
shortest and easiest trade route from Delhi to the rich manufacturing city of Ahmadabad and the busy
port of Cambay lay across it.

2) Secondly, the Emperor wanted to divide Rajputana into 2 unequal halves and to take Udaipur in the
flank. This was only possible by the annexation of Marwar.

3) Thirdly, Aurangzeb wanted to carry out his plan of forcible conversion of the Hindus which required
that the state of Marwar should become a regular province of the Empire.

.) Analysis of Sir Sarkar:-

1) Let us now analyze the factors mentioned by Sir Sarkar and see how far Aurangzeb was responsible
for the Rajput war. It would not be proper to think that Aurangzeb was inspired by commercial
importance to subjugate Marwar. When the commercial importance was great during the reign of
Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan, they never though it necessary to annex Marwar in order to guard the
trade route. During a period of 20 years, Aurangzeb did not experience any difficulty in keeping the
trade route open. It is, therefore, strange that only after the death of Raja Jaswant Singh in 1678, he
should have found it absolutely necessary to annex Marwar in order to Guard the trade route. If the
emperor desired so, he could have done it when Jaswant Singh proved treacherous. But the case was
otherwise and the first motive ascribed to the Emperor must be ruled out as a cause of the Rajput war.

2) The second motive, according to Sir Sarkar was to divide Rajputana by the annexation of Marwar into
2 unequal halves. There is not slightest foundation for the belief that Aurangzeb ever entertained the
idea of annexing the State of Rajputana which already ‘owned the sway of the Mughals and its princes
were peers of the Empire and servants of State. Under Akbar the Rajputs princes had accepted the
Mughal suzerainty and were given positions of power and trust. Aurangzeb fully realized the necessity of
continuing this tried and proved policy. There is ample evidence to prove that Aurangzeb continued this
policy and took pains to follow it. His forbearing treatment to Raja Jaswant Singh, who had proved
himself traitor not only once or twice but throughout his career, is in point, and the fact that the princes
continued to serve the state up to the last as soldiers and statesmen and fought the battles for
Aurangzeb in all parts of the Empire, is a convincing proof of his having followed the traditional
conciliatory policy of his ancestors, initiated by Akbar. The motive of annexing Marwar in order to divide
Rajputana cannot be held to be a cause of the Rajput war. The second motive, on analysis, thus falls to
the ground.

3) The 3rd cause, according to Sir Sarkar was “that the success of Aurangzeb’s plan of forcible conversion
of the Hindus required that Jaswant Singh’s State should sink into a quiescent dependency or a regular
province of the Empire. Hindu resistance to the policy of religious persecution must be deprived of a
possible efficient head.”
Leaving aside the debatable question of the alleged plan of forcible conversion of the Hindus, there is
some signal discrepancy in his account. Jaswant Singh’s state was not and had never been anything
more than a quiescent (inactive) dependency of the Empire (even under the powerful Jaswant Singh)
and it was now highly improbable that it would have become anything more under a minor Rajah. It
seems very odd indeed that Aurangzeb considered the minor son of Jaswant Singh a more powerful
weapon of resistance to his alleged policy of religious persecution that Jaswant Singh himself. Why did
then Aurangzeb leave Jaswant Singh undisturbed in his possession when he was not only the
acknowledged leader of the Hindu nobility but had also, as has been suggested by Sarkar himself,
inclination towards assuming the role of the hero of persecuted Hinduism? Jaswant Singh had proved his
hostility to the cause of the Emperor not only once or twice but the throughout his career. Yet he was
entrusted with positions of trust and power and given important commands on the outlying posts of the
Empire, where he could do great harm to the imperial cause. It would be strange to say that Aurangzeb
was afraid of him but stranger still is the suggestion given by the medieval and modern historians that
Aurangzeb should have been afraid of the untried and unproved son of the powerful Jaswant Singh and
should have spied in him a “possible efficient head to resist his policy and sought to remove him. After
the death of Jaswant Singh there were other powerful Rajputs princes left in field who might have
assumed the role of leadership of persecuted Hinduism”. So the removing of the “possible efficient
head” could not be motive and must be left out of consideration.

Q8) Write a note on the rise of Maratha’s.

A) The rising power of the Marathas in the south was a great factor to be reckoned with during the reign
of Aurangzeb. It proved more than anything else the cause of the dismemberment of the Mughal
Empire. Shivaji, the arch enemy of the Mughals was the second son of Shahji Bhonsala. Shahji Bhonsala
was a distinguished officer in the army of Ahmadnagar State.

.) Raids in Bijapur state:-

The thrilling tale of the Hindu heroes told by his mother and the influence of his
teacher and other saints like Guru Ram Das made a profound influence on the mind of Shivaji. Since
then he was fired with the ambition of carving out for himself an independent kingdom. He organized a
band of the hill men called Mawalis for his ambitious object and began to raid into the territory of
Bijapur State. He took the hill-fort of Tarana and the fort of Raigarh also fell into his hands. He occupied
Kondana from a Bijapur agent. His activities enraged the Sultan of Bijapur who arrested his father, Shahji
Bhonsala for his son’s insubordination. But Shivaji was not a man to be faltered. Through the help of the
Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan he got his father released. He remained quiet for a time (1650-55). He
resumed his offensive operations in 1656 and annexed Jawli by treachery. The conquest of Jawli opened
the door to the south. When Aurangzeb was busy in waging war against Bijapur he gathered his strength
and raided the south-western territory of the Mughals.

The imperialist defeated him but he could not make headway as Aurangzeb had to go north on hearing
of the illness of his father. This gave Shivaji a golden chance to strengthen his power. Shivaji next turned
his attention to the conquest of Northern Konkon which was occupied in 1659.
.) Attempt of the Bijapur Sultan to crush Shivaji:-

Freed from the fear of immediate attack from the Mughals, the sultan of Bijapur
determined to crush the power of Shivaji. In 1659, a vast army was sent against Shivaji under the
command of Afzal Khan. To carry on negotiations Shivaji went to see the Bijapur general and in an
interview had him, murdered in November, 1660. Almost all the Maratha authorities have blamed “Afzal
Khan for the incident while Muslim as well as European historians inform us that Afzal was unarmed
when he went to meet Shivaji. A careful and impartial study of the subject shows that it was Shivaji and
not Afzal Khan who was responsible for the murder.

.) Shivaji an independent ruler:-

Shivaji had by this time enhanced his power and position by the capture of a number of forts.
He occupied the fort of Panala which he had to evacuate in 1660. Hostilities soon came to an end and a
treaty was concluded between Shivaji and the Sultan of Bijapur on which the former was acknowledged
as an independent ruler.

.) Shivajis attack on Shaista Khan:-

1) Shivaji had so long been engaged in aggrandizing his territory out of the kingdom of Bijapur. He now
turned his attention towards the dominions of the Mughals. On his accession to the throne Aurangzeb
appointed Shaista Khan Viceroy of the Deccan and ordered him to punish the refractory chief. Shivaji
was defeated and the port of Chakan was captured.

2) Next the Mughal Viceroy occupied Pooda and the Kalyan district of the Konkan. But one night in April,
1663 Shivaji suddenly entered into the bed-chamber of Shaista Khans camp and slew one of his sons.
Shaista Khan narrowly escaped with the loss of his thumb. Shaista Khan was recalled from the Deccan
for his negligence and he was transferred to Bengal as Governor.

3) In 1664, Shivaji sacked the fort of Surat and even plundered the pilgrim ships. The Emperor was,
therefore, compelled to send an efficient army under the command of Dilir Khan and Jai Singh against
him.

4) Fining no hope of success Shivaji opened negotiations and a treaty was concluded to Purandar by
which the Maratha chief ceded 20 forts to the Mughals. Then Jai Singh invited him to see the Emperor at
Agra. Being assured of his safety Shivaji with son Shambhuji started for Agra. He was properly honored
at the Mughal court but for his insolent conduct Aurangzeb kept him under surveillance. Shivaji soon hit
upon a plan for his escape and by a clever stratagem he made a dramatic escape. He directly went to the
Deccan but was compelled to submit to the Mughals. At the request of Muazzem Shah and Jai Singh the
Emperor conferred on him the title of Raja. But he soon renewed his hostilities and recovered most of
his territories which he surrendered according to the treaty of Purandar. As Aurangzeb was then called
upon to deal with the Yusufzais rising on the North-west frontier, he could not pay much attention to it.
Shivaji made successful campaigns during the years, 1673 and 1674. He was crowned as a king at
Raigarh on 16th June 1674.
5) On seeing the Mughals heavily engaged on the North-West Frontier, Shivaji made use of his Power.
He entered into alliance with the Sultan of Golkonda and captured Jinji. Vallore and many other
important places and annexed those to his kingdom. Before putting all his plans into execution, he was
carried away by his unseen hand to death at the premature age of 53 in 1680.

Q9) Write a note on Northern Hindustan expedition.

A) During the war of Succession, the independent rulers of Assam, Bihar and Uch, successfully annexed
some of the areas of Mughals in the North of Hindustan. Due to strong resistance in 1661, the Mughals
were unable to re-capture these areas. When Aurangzeb came into power he ordered the governor of
Bengal to attack Assam, the governor successfully captured some of the areas, but died during the
expedition. Then, on the orders of Aurangzeb, Shaista Khan successfully captured Assam, Uch, and Bihar.
However, the Mughals lost their control on some areas of Assam in 1667.

Q10) Write a note on Southern Hindustan expedition.

A) Aurangzeb left Ajmer for the Deccan and reached Ahmadnagar in 1682. He wasted about 4 years in
unsuccessful operations against the Marathas and in making fruitless attempts to capture Prince Akbar.

1) Conquest of Bijapur:-

Aurangzeb then turned his attention to the conquest of Bijapur and Golkonda. At first
the Emperor sent Prince Azam against Bijapur, but he could not do well in the operations. Aurangzeb
then himself took the command and forced Sikandar Adil Shah, the last Sultan of Bijapur to surrender in
1686. Bijapur was annexed to the Mughal Empire. Aurangzeb next directed his attention towards
Golkonda.

2) Conquest of Golkonda:-

He besieged Golkonda and the besieged made a heroic defense for 8 months. When the
Emperor found it difficult to achieve his object by force, he bought off an Afghan soldier of fortune who
allowed the Mughals to enter into the fort by opening its main gate. Its ruler, Abul Hasan, was captured
and sent to Daulatabad as a captive on a pension of 50,000 rupees a year. Golkonda was annexed to the
Mughal Empire in September, 1687.

Aurangzeb Alamgir died in 1707.

TEXTBOOK Q/A:-
LQ/A:-
Q1) Was the war of succession, a war between 2 nations? Discuss.

A) The Indo-Pak (sub-continent) has been the scene of numerous political events of profound
significance and far-reaching consequences. Aurangzeb’s dramatic accession to the throne of Indo-
Pakistan can also be rightly regarded as one of such political events. With the news of Shah Jahan’s
illness in September, 1657, a rumor was spread to the distant parts of the Empire that the Emperor was
no longer alive and Prince Dara, a favorite son of Shah Jahan was concealing the fact of his usurpation of
sovereign power.

The 4 sons entered into fratricidal war and embittered the life of the Emperor.

.) Causes of war of succession:-

Let us analyze the circumstances that led to the war of succession and see how far the stand of
Aurangzeb can be justified.

1) Question of fitness for the throne:-

Shah Jahan had 4 sons and 2 daughters, all from Mumtaz Begum. Of the 2
daughters, Jahanara was the supporter of Dara, while Roshanara of Aurangzeb.

The information about the 4 sons of Shah Jahan is following:-

a) Dara Shiko:-

Dara, the eldest was loved and favored by his father and through heir-designation; he had
very little chance of succession. He was violent in temper and arrogant in manners. His vicious nature,
frivolous habits and haughty behavior had created a lot of enemies at the court. His liberal views were
opposed and hated by many, especially his intimacy with the Hindu and his inclination towards the Shia
faith went much against the interest of his succession.

b) Shuja:-

Shuja, the second son and the governor of Bengal, was an intelligent and skillful
administrator. But he was extremely fond of pleasure and his addiction to wine had impaired many of
his good qualities.

c) Murad:-
 Murad, the youngest was the governor of Gujrat. He was a brave soldier but an abject slave of his
passions. He was dissolute and a reckless drunkard. He lacked the qualities of leadership and was almost
brainless.

4) Aurangzeb:-

Aurangzeb, the third, was the ablest and most intelligent of all the brothers. Simple, pious,
cool and sagacious, he combined in himself all the good qualities of a great administrator. He was
endowed with imperturbable self-possession and indomitable resolve. Obliging and modest in bearing,
he had scores of admirers at the Imperial Court. But if we take into consideration the question of fitness
for the Throne, it is an indisputable fact that Aurangzab was the fittest of all.

.) Just like K. Ali has said:-

“The survival of the fittest was the general principle of succession. Babur, Humayun, Akbar,
Jahangir, and Shah Jahan; all had to fight for their throne against their rival relatives.”

The most powerful factor which led to the outbreak of the war of succession was the religious question
which had been agitating the minds of many Muslims of the sub-continent since the time of Akbar.

It was believed that if Dara who was incorrigibly inclined towards Vedantism and adoption of Hindu
culture would come to power. Thus, Islam would have either suffered a temporary setback or its fate
would have been sealed for-ever in this sub-continent.

.) K. Ali has also said that:-

“So the war of succession which started even before the death of Shah Jahan was not
a war only for the throne. It was something else.”

Q18) Write a note on the chief events of the war of Succession.

A) The chief events of the war of succession are following:-

1) Battle of Bahadur Garh. Or 1st encounter:-

Shuja the governor of Bengal was the first who made a determined bid
for the throne and proclaimed himself Emperor in September, 1657. He marched towards Benares but
was defeated at Bahadur Garh in February, 1658.

2) Battle of Dharmat. Or 2nd encounter:-

Murad, the then governor of Gujrat, was the next to proclaim his
sovereignty at Ahmadabad in December, 1657. Aurangzab realized the gravity of the situation and made
no delay in conciliating the rulers of Bijapur and Golkonda, the old enemies of the Empire. Murad
entered into an agreement with Aurangzab. The combined forces of the 2 brothers met the Imperial
forces under the command of Qasim Khan and Raja Jaswant Singh in 1658. A battle was fought at
Dharmat near Ujjain in April, 1658 in which the imperialists were defeated.
3) Battle of Samugarh. Or 3rd encounter:-

Mortified at the successive failure of his army, Dara decided to take the
field in person. He marched out from Agra to deal with the combined troops of his brothers and the rival
forces met at Samugarh in May, 1658. In the hotly-contested battle the heir-designate to the throne and
best beloved son of Shah Jahan was crushingly defeated by Aurangzab. Dara fled to Agra en route to
Delhi. Instead of pursuing Dara, Aurangzab hurriedly occupied Agra in 1658 and placed his father under
confinement (imprisonment), because he was against Aurangzeb’s accession. In the meantime, the
movement of Murad became suspicious and so he was arrested under the orders of Aurangzab and sent
to Gwalior as a prisoner. Thereafter, Aurangzab ascended the throne of Indo-Pakistan in July, 1658.

4) 4th encounter:-

Shuja, after the defeat of Dara at Samugarh made once more a bid for the Throne but was
defeated by the imperial forces at Khawaja near Allahabad in 1659. He fled to Arakan hills where he was
ultimately assassinated by the Arakanese.

5) 5th encounter:-

Dara had, by this time, gathered some strength and stood up in arms again. He advanced
from Delhi towards the Punjab and then towards Ajmer where he was again defeated by at de-facto
sovereign. Driven from pillar to post and post to pillar, he at last fell into the hands of the imperialists
and was ultimately executed in August, 1659, on a charge of apostasy.

In 1661, Murad was also put to death on a charge of murder. Sulayman Shikoh who after the defeat of
his father took shelter with a Hindu chief of Garhwal hills was pursued captured and then sent to
Gwalior as prisoner; where he died in 1662.

Thus getting rid of all the rivals, Aurangzab established his position secure on the throne.

.) Analysis:-

No the war of succession was not only between 2 nations but was between various nations.

For instance, during the battle of Samugarh, many Rajputs and Shia Muslims fought for Dara Shikoh,
while the Sunni Muslims fought for Aurangzeb.

Q2) Aurangzeb was an able ruler, but he had launched a lot of campaign at the same time, due to which
he had to suffer through a lot of difficulties.

A) During the war of Succession, the independent rulers of Assam, Bihar and Uch, successfully annexed
some of the areas of Mughals in the North of Hindustan. Due to strong resistance in 1661, the Mughals
were unable to re-capture these areas. When Aurangzeb came into power he ordered the governor of
Bengal to attack Assam, the governor successfully captured some of the areas, but died during the
expedition. Then, on the orders of Aurangzeb, Shaista Khan successfully captured Assam, Uch, and Bihar.
However, the Mughals lost their control on some areas of Assam in 1667.
.) Southern Hindustan expedition:-

A) Aurangzeb left Ajmer for the Deccan and reached Ahmadnagar in 1682. He wasted about 4 years in
unsuccessful operations against the Marathas and in making fruitless attempts to capture Prince Akbar.

1) Conquest of Bijapur:-

Aurangzeb then turned his attention to the conquest of Bijapur and Golkonda. At first
the Emperor sent Prince Azam against Bijapur, but he could not do well in the operations. Aurangzeb
then himself took the command and forced Sikandar Adil Shah, the last Sultan of Bijapur to surrender in
1686. Bijapur was annexed to the Mughal Empire. Aurangzeb next directed his attention towards
Golkonda.

2) Conquest of Golkonda:-

He besieged Golkonda and the besieged made a heroic defense for 8 months. When the
Emperor found it difficult to achieve his object by force, he bought off an Afghan soldier of fortune who
allowed the Mughals to enter into the fort by opening its main gate. Its ruler, Abul Hasan, was captured
and sent to Daulatabad as a captive on a pension of 50,000 rupees a year. Golkonda was annexed to the
Mughal Empire in September, 1687.

Aurangzeb Alamgir died in 1707.

.) Analysis:-

During the expeditions, Aurangzeb not only had to counter in arch enemies (like Shivaji); but also
had to suppress the rebellion o Prince Akbar (his son). Aurangzeb was an able ruler and a pious
administrator; but was unfortunate.

Q3) Write a note on the effect of Aurangzeb’s reign on Hindus.

A) Like many Asiatic rulers he started his reign by taking some measures to the wounds caused by civil
war:-

1) He abolished many illegal taxes in order to alleviate the sufferings of the people.

2) He restored the Muslim Lunar calendar.

3) He also discontinued the Ilahi Era of Akbar to satisfy the Sunni Muslims.

4) Many new appointments were made.

5) He also carried out the transfers of the provincial governors which effected to stop corruptions and
steps were taken to please his supporters and to conciliate the officers and nobles who had supported
the cause of his rival brothers and thus converted his enemies into friends.

6) He banned the women, from going to shrines and abolished the manufacturing of solid graves.
7) Shah Jahan started to print “Kalma Taiyaba” on the coins, but some Ulema found it quite
disrespectful. Hence, Aurangzeb abolished it.

.) Aurangzeb’s relation with the Rajputs:-

The policy of Aurangzeb towards the Rajputs has been a subject of severe criticism
and has already irritated the brains of many scholars, both Muslim and non-Muslim. Sir Jadunath Sarkar
has mentioned 3 main factors which determined the Rajputs policy of the Emperor.

1) Firstly, the commercial importance of Marwar demanded its annexation to the Mughal Empire as the
shortest and easiest trade route from Delhi to the rich manufacturing city of Ahmadabad and the busy
port of Cambay lay across it.

2) Secondly, the Emperor wanted to divide Rajputana into 2 unequal halves and to take Udaipur in the
flank. This was only possible by the annexation of Marwar.

3) Thirdly, Aurangzeb wanted to carry out his plan of forcible conversion of the Hindus which required
that the state of Marwar should become a regular province of the Empire.

.) Analysis of Sir Sarkar:-

1) Let us now analyze the factors mentioned by Sir Sarkar and see how far Aurangzeb was responsible
for the Rajput war. It would not be proper to think that Aurangzeb was inspired by commercial
importance to subjugate Marwar. When the commercial importance was great during the reign of
Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan, they never though it necessary to annex Marwar in order to guard the
trade route. During a period of 20 years, Aurangzeb did not experience any difficulty in keeping the
trade route open. It is, therefore, strange that only after the death of Raja Jaswant Singh in 1678, he
should have found it absolutely necessary to annex Marwar in order to Guard the trade route. If the
emperor desired so, he could have done it when Jaswant Singh proved treacherous. But the case was
otherwise and the first motive ascribed to the Emperor must be ruled out as a cause of the Rajput war.

2) The second motive, according to Sir Sarkar was to divide Rajputana by the annexation of Marwar into
2 unequal halves. There is not slightest foundation for the belief that Aurangzeb ever entertained the
idea of annexing the State of Rajputana which already ‘owned the sway of the Mughals and its princes
were peers of the Empire and servants of State. Under Akbar the Rajputs princes had accepted the
Mughal suzerainty and were given positions of power and trust. Aurangzeb fully realized the necessity of
continuing this tried and proved policy. There is ample evidence to prove that Aurangzeb continued this
policy and took pains to follow it. His forbearing treatment to Raja Jaswant Singh, who had proved
himself traitor not only once or twice but throughout his career, is in point, and the fact that the princes
continued to serve the state up to the last as soldiers and statesmen and fought the battles for
Aurangzeb in all parts of the Empire, is a convincing proof of his having followed the traditional
conciliatory policy of his ancestors, initiated by Akbar. The motive of annexing Marwar in order to divide
Rajputana cannot be held to be a cause of the Rajput war. The second motive, on analysis, thus falls to
the ground.
3) The 3rd cause, according to Sir Sarkar was “that the success of Aurangzeb’s plan of forcible conversion
of the Hindus required that Jaswant Singh’s State should sink into a quiescent dependency or a regular
province of the Empire. Hindu resistance to the policy of religious persecution must be deprived of a
possible efficient head.”

Leaving aside the debatable question of the alleged plan of forcible conversion of the Hindus, there is
some signal discrepancy in his account. Jaswant Singh’s state was not and had never been anything
more than a quiescent (inactive) dependency of the Empire (even under the powerful Jaswant Singh)
and it was now highly improbable that it would have become anything more under a minor Rajah. It
seems very odd indeed that Aurangzeb considered the minor son of Jaswant Singh a more powerful
weapon of resistance to his alleged policy of religious persecution that Jaswant Singh himself. Why did
then Aurangzeb leave Jaswant Singh undisturbed in his possession when he was not only the
acknowledged leader of the Hindu nobility but had also, as has been suggested by Sarkar himself,
inclination towards assuming the role of the hero of persecuted Hinduism? Jaswant Singh had proved his
hostility to the cause of the Emperor not only once or twice but the throughout his career. Yet he was
entrusted with positions of trust and power and given important commands on the outlying posts of the
Empire, where he could do great harm to the imperial cause. It would be strange to say that Aurangzeb
was afraid of him but stranger still is the suggestion given by the medieval and modern historians that
Aurangzeb should have been afraid of the untried and unproved son of the powerful Jaswant Singh and
should have spied in him a “possible efficient head to resist his policy and sought to remove him. After
the death of Jaswant Singh there were other powerful Rajputs princes left in field who might have
assumed the role of leadership of persecuted Hinduism”. So the removing of the “possible efficient
head” could not be motive and must be left out of consideration.

.) Analysis:-

Unlike the reign of Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan; Aurangzeb never gave special privileges to
the Hindus, and gave created policies on the advices of Sunni Ulama.

Hence, this rule of favoritism created hatred in the hearts on Hindus and resulted in the rebellion of
Marathas.

Q4) Differentiate between the political and administrative policies of Aurangzeb and Akbar.

A) There are many misconceptions about Aurangzeb as a ruler.

In fact, according to some historians, he is a much maligned monarch.

On the other hand, Akbar is regarded as Akbar, the Great, which he definitely was.
Similarities- There is few similarities between the two when it comes the way they ruled. Some of them
are-

 Both were Mughal rulers of course.

  Both were most powerful during their respective tenures. Both of them were expansionists who
wanted to rule whole of sub-continent, which they almost did.

 Both faced similar problems from neighboring rulers. Akbar had threats from Northwest frontier
rulers and Deccan powers, Aurangzeb faced mighty forces of Shivaji.

 Both inducted large number of Hindu nobles. Contrary to many views, Aurangzeb inducted large
number of Hindu nobles.

Now, differences. There are number of differences between the two, on many fronts.

 Akbar was secular in true sense and respected all religions while Aurangzeb was orthodox.

 Akbar was brilliant and shrewd ruler who knew that the Hindu country cannot be ruled without
Hindu help, while Aurangzeb did not understand the politics that well.

 Akbar loved arts and various art forms. He promoted Painting, Music, Architecture, writing. On
The Other Hand, Aurangzeb naturally did not have interest in arts. He discontinued Paintings,
History writing.

 Akbar believed in supremacy of Ruler and gave importance to Monarchy, like practices of Zaroka
Darshan .On The Other Hand, Aurangzeb believed in simple way of life (quite extraordinary).

Q5) Even after the reign of Akbar the great, no efforts were made by Aurangzeb and the previous rulers;
regarding the administrative policies of Hindustan, which resulted in the fall of Mughal Empire.

A) skip

Q6) Write a note on success of Aurangzeb in the southern Hindustan expedition.

A) Aurangzeb left Ajmer for the Deccan and reached Ahmadnagar in 1682. He wasted about 4 years in
unsuccessful operations against the Marathas and in making fruitless attempts to capture Prince Akbar.

1) Conquest of Bijapur:-

Aurangzeb then turned his attention to the conquest of Bijapur and Golkonda. At first
the Emperor sent Prince Azam against Bijapur, but he could not do well in the operations. Aurangzeb
then himself took the command and forced Sikandar Adil Shah, the last Sultan of Bijapur to surrender in
1686. Bijapur was annexed to the Mughal Empire. Aurangzeb next directed his attention towards
Golkonda.

2) Conquest of Golkonda:-

He besieged Golkonda and the besieged made a heroic defense for 8 months. When the
Emperor found it difficult to achieve his object by force, he bought off an Afghan soldier of fortune who
allowed the Mughals to enter into the fort by opening its main gate. Its ruler, Abul Hasan, was captured
and sent to Daulatabad as a captive on a pension of 50,000 rupees a year. Golkonda was annexed to the
Mughal Empire in September, 1687.

Aurangzeb Alamgir died in 1707.

SHORT Q/A:-
Q1) When the war of succession was held.

A) The war of succession between the sons of Shah Jahan was held between April 1658- April 1659.

Q2) On the orders of Aurangzeb, how many of his brothers were killed.

A) The fate of all of his brothers is described in the following:-

1) Shuja, after the defeat of Dara at Samugarh made once more a bid for the Throne but was defeated
by the imperial forces at Khawaja near Allahabad in 1659. He fled to Arakan hills where he was
ultimately assassinated by the Arakanese.

2) Dara had, by this time, gathered some strength and stood up in arms again. He advanced from Delhi
towards the Punjab and then towards Ajmer where he was again defeated by at de-facto sovereign.
Driven from pillar to post and post to pillar, he at last fell into the hands of the imperialists and was
ultimately executed in August, 1659, on a charge of apostasy.

3) In 1661, Murad was also put to death on a charge of murder. Sulayman Shikoh who after the defeat
of his father took shelter with a Hindu chief of Garhwal hills was pursued captured and then sent to
Gwalior as prisoner; where he died in 1662.

Thus getting rid of all the rivals, Aurangzab established his position secure on the throne.

Q3) In which year, prince Akbar raised insurgency against Aurangzeb.

A) in 1681.

Q4) How many years, had Aurangzeb spent in Southern Hindustan.

A) Aurangzeb had to spend the last 25 years of his life in Southern Hindustan (till 1707).

Q5) When was Golkonda conquered.

A) In 1687.