Aurangzeb (1658-1707) Facts

Aurangzeb (1658A.D-1707 A.D)

Aurangzeb ruled for almost 50 years. His Empire stretched from Kashmir in the north to Jinji in the South, and from the Hindukush in the West to Chittagong in the East. Within the Empire, he had to deal with a number of different problems, such as problems of the Marathas in the Deccan, the Jats, and Satnamis and Rajputs in north India, and that of Chip khans and Sikh in the north-west.

Aurangzeb's direct attention was concentrated on the affairs of north India. During 1681, the affairs of the South Central around the rise of the Marathas power under Shivaji. For about 25 years (1682-7007) he made desperate efforts to crush the Marathas, exhausting himself and his Empire in the process.

Highlights of Aurangzeb's reign

The second coronation of Aurangzeb took place when he defeated Dara (1659). He took the title of Alamgar in 1659. He was also called as Zinda Pir the living saint. In 1662, Mir Jumta, Aurangzeb's ablest general, led the expedition against Ahoms. He forbade inscription of Kalma on the coins. He ended the celebration of Navroz Festival. He forbade music in the court. He ended Jarokha Darsha , use of almanacs and weighing of the emperor. Aurangzeb compiled Fatwa-i-Alamgir. Jaziya was reintroduced. However the Hindu mansabdars maintained their high proportion during his rule. The Mughul conquest reached a climax during his reign, as Bijapur and Golconda were annexed in 1686 and 1687 respectively.