Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb:

Introduction:
From 1658 until 1707, Aurangzeb Alamgir, also known as Aurangzeb, was the Mughal emperor who
oversaw a sizable portion of the Indian subcontinent. The sixth emperor of the Mughal empire, he was
born on October 14, 1618, in Dahod, Gujarat.

 Emperor Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal had a son named Aurangzeb. After a bloody succession
battle with his brothers that resulted in the imprisonment of his father in the Agra Fort, he
succeeded to the throne. He ruled over nearly all of the Indian subcontinent, including modern-
day Bangladesh, Pakistan, and parts of Afghanistan. During his reign, the Mughal Empire
attained its greatest territorial expansion.
 The severe Islamic orthodoxy of Aurangzeb is well-known, as are his efforts to impose a more
traditional interpretation of Islam across the empire. His Islamic policies included the
desecration of Hindu temples and the reinstatement of the jizya tax on non-Muslims. The
Mughal government and the region's Hindu majority saw growing hostilities as a result of these
policies.
 Early Years and Family: On October 14, 1618, during the reign of his grandfather, Emperor
Jahangir, in Dahod, Gujarat, Aurangzeb was born. He was the third child of Mumtaz Mahal and
the Emperor Shah Jahan. He obtained a top-notch education in Arabic, Persian, mathematics,
and religious studies as he was growing up.

War of Succession: After Emperor Shah Jahan fell ill in 1657, a struggle for the throne broke out
between his four sons, Dara Shikoh, Shuja, Aurangzeb, and Murad Baksh. Aurangzeb emerged victorious
and ascended to the throne in 1658 after fighting and killing his brothers. Shah Jahan imprisoned his
father in the Agra Fort, where he would live out the rest of his days.

Religious laws: The stringent observance of authentic Sunni Islam was a defining feature of
Aurangzeb's regime. He pursued the establishment of an Islamic state and put into place a number of
laws that would encourage and uphold Islamic customs. Among these measures were the reinstatement
of the jizya tax on non-Muslims, the desecration of Hindu temples, and the implementation of Islamic
morality laws.

Empire growth: The Mughal Empire had major geographical expansions during Aurangzeb's rule. With
the use of a strong military strategy, he was able to successfully extend his kingdom into the Deccan,
Gujarat, and portions of southern India. However, the resources and management of the empire were
put under tremendous strain by these conquests.

Maratha Wars: The protracted war with the Maratha Empire was one of Aurangzeb's biggest
problems throughout his rule. The Marathas presented a serious challenge to Mughal rule, led by Shivaji
and thereafter by his descendants. Even after Aurangzeb's death, the struggle persisted because despite
his best efforts, he was unable to completely control the Marathas. Aurangzeb also had to deal with
rebellions and uprisings from various local authorities and populations. Maharana Raj Singh led the
insurrection of the Rajputs against Mughal rule. In addition, the repressive policies of Aurangzeb were
opposed by the Sikh community, led by Guru Gobind Singh.

Administrative changes: Aurangzeb, who was renowned for his administrative skills, carried out a
number of changes while in power. He reorganized the bureaucracy, appointed trustworthy and
effective employees, and reduced wasteful spending at the royal court. His religious policies, however,
frequently eclipsed his administrative accomplishments.

Personal life and demise: Aurangzeb lived a straightforward and austere life. He avoided an opulent
lifestyle and dressed simply. At the age of 88, he passed away at Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, on March
3, 1707. As per his request, Aurangzeb was laid to rest in a basic burial in Khuldabad, a town close to
Aurangabad.

Legacy and Historical Perspectives: Historians and academics have strong opinions about
Aurangzeb's rule. Some people see him as a virtuous and upright leader who worked to strengthen
Islamic rule and grow the empire. They contend that his pursuit of a moral and just society served as the
impetus for his actions. Others attack him for his intolerance of religion and claim that his policies
caused the social and economic collapse of the empire.

 The Mughal Empire started to decline during Aurangzeb's rule. Relations with the Hindu
majority population and other religious minorities were strained as a result of the strict religious
restrictions he implemented, which included destroying temples. Because of Aurangzeb's
protracted military battles and administrative difficulties, the empire also had financial
difficulties.
 Aurangzeb left behind a complicated legacy that influenced later political and religious dynamics
on the subcontinent. His reign is seen as a turning point in Indian history.
 Despite his military victories and territory gains, Aurangzeb's rule was characterized by on-going
hostilities, such as those with the Marathas, Rajputs, and the Sikh community. His policies put a
 strain on the empire's finances and governance, which ultimately contributed to the empire's
downfall during the succeeding centuries.

Death of Aurangzeb (The Mughal Emperor):

At the age of 88, Aurangzeb passed away in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, on March 3, 1707. The great
Mughal age came to an end with his death, and the empire was severely tested and disintegrated in the
years that followed. Historians continue to disagree on how effective Aurangzeb's tenure was, with
viewpoints ranging from seeing him as a great leader who extended the empire to seeing him as a
religious zealot whose actions undermined the Mughal state.