Aurangzeb

Full Name: Muhi al-Din Muhammad known as Aurangzeb Alamgir I
Profession: 6th Mughal Emperor

Nationality:

Biography: Aurangzeb was the sixth Mughal emperor, ruling over most of the Indian subcontinent for nearly 50 years, from 1658 until his death in 1707. Aurangzeb is remembered for his military campaigns that expanded the empire to its greatest territorial extent and his orthodox Sunni Muslim views, which led to significant cultural and religious shifts.

Aurangzeb was the third son of Emperor Shah Jahan, the Mughal ruler famous for building the Taj Mahal. He was a brilliant student and was well-educated in both religious and military subjects. As a young prince, Aurangzeb displayed considerable military and administrative skill while governing various provinces.

In 1658, he seized the throne after a bitter civil war against his brothers, most notably Dara Shikoh, who was initially favored by Shah Jahan. After imprisoning his father in the Agra Fort, Aurangzeb declared himself emperor and began a rule that would be marked by military expansion, administrative changes, and religious orthodoxy.

Aurangzeb's military conquests were the defining aspect of his rule. He waged relentless campaigns in the Deccan, against the Marathas, and in the north against the remnants of other empires and states. His campaigns extended Mughal control over much of the Indian subcontinent, but they were also resource-intensive and met with varying degrees of success. The Deccan campaigns, in particular, sapped the empire’s resources and led to its gradual weakening after his death.

He reimposed the jizya, a tax on non-Muslims, and enforced Islamic law more stringently. This alienated some Hindu subjects and resulted in increased religious tensions. Aurangzeb also banned music and other forms of art that he considered un-Islamic, a stark departure from his predecessors who were patrons of the arts.

The emperor, however, was also known for his personal austerity and simplicity. Despite the grandeur of the empire he ruled, he lived a life of relative simplicity, weaving prayer caps and copying out the Quran by hand to earn money for his modest personal expenses.

Aurangzeb died in 1707 after a long rule that had seen the zenith and the beginning of the decline of the Mughal Empire. His death led to a period of instability, with rapid territorial losses and internal strife that heralded the end of the Mughal dynasty.

Born: November 3, 1618
Birthplace: Dahod, Gujarat, Mughal Empire
Star Sign: Scorpio

Died: March 3, 1707 (aged 88)