Aurangzeb Alamgir, the sixth emperor of the Mughal Empire, ruled over most of the Indian subcontinent from 1658 to 1707. Known for his piety, administrative rigor, and military expansion, Aurangzeb’s reign also marked a significant shift in the Mughal Empire’s religious policy. Unlike his predecessors—Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan—Aurangzeb adopted an orthodox Islamic approach, leading to controversial and far-reaching consequences for the empire.
This article examines Aurangzeb’s religious policies, their motivations, implementation, and the long-term effects on India’s socio-political fabric and the decline of the Mughal Empire.
Aurangzeb’s Religious Beliefs and Ideological Foundations
Aurangzeb was deeply influenced by Sunni Islamic orthodoxy, especially the Hanafi school of jurisprudence. He was a devout Muslim who personally copied the Quran and followed a strict interpretation of Sharia law. His piety shaped his governance style, making him less tolerant of other faiths compared to earlier Mughal rulers.
Unlike Akbar’s Din-i-Ilahi or Jahangir’s eclecticism, Aurangzeb reversed the policy of religious pluralism and adopted a more exclusionary approach to statecraft.
1. Reintroduction of the Jizya Tax
One of Aurangzeb’s most controversial decisions was the reimposition of the jizya tax in 1679.
- Jizya was a tax levied on non-Muslims (dhimmis) in an Islamic state in exchange for protection and exemption from military service.
- Akbar had abolished this tax in 1564 to promote religious harmony.
- Aurangzeb reintroduced it as a way to assert Islamic dominance and raise revenue during prolonged military campaigns.
Consequences:
- Alienated Hindu subjects, especially the Rajputs and Marathas.
- Sparked widespread resentment and rebellion.
- Seen as symbolic of religious discrimination by non-Muslims.
2. Destruction of Temples
Aurangzeb’s temple policies have been the subject of historical debate, but there is ample evidence that he ordered the destruction of several Hindu temples, including:
- The Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi.
- The Keshava Rai Temple in Mathura.
- The Somnath Temple in Gujarat.
While temple destruction was not uncommon in pre-modern India (even earlier Hindu rulers did this during wars), Aurangzeb’s actions were often interpreted as state-sanctioned religious persecution rather than wartime pragmatism.
Consequences:
- Provoked hostility among Hindu communities.
- Undermined the Mughal image as protectors of all religions.
- Gave rise to regional resistance movements, notably the Maratha revolt under Shivaji.
3. Restrictions on Non-Muslims
Aurangzeb imposed several social and legal restrictions on non-Muslims:
- Prohibited Hindu religious processions in public.
- Banned the construction of new temples.
- Non-Muslims were barred from high administrative positions.
- Music and dance, seen as un-Islamic, were discouraged at court.
He also abolished practices he considered un-Islamic within the Muslim community itself, such as:
- Court musicians and artists were dismissed.
- Alcohol and opium were banned at court.
Consequences:
- Many artists, musicians, and scholars migrated to other regional courts, especially in Rajasthan and Deccan.
- Decline in cultural patronage, which had flourished under Akbar and Shah Jahan.
- The court became more rigid and less inclusive, weakening the empire’s cosmopolitan image.
4. Policies Toward Sikhs and Other Minorities
Aurangzeb’s reign saw a significant deterioration in Mughal-Sikh relations.
- He ordered the execution of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, in 1675 for refusing to convert to Islam.
- His harsh treatment fueled the militarization of the Sikh community, leading to the formation of the Khalsa under Guru Gobind Singh.
He also clashed with Shia communities, even though the Mughal Empire was nominally Sunni-Shia inclusive under previous rulers.
Consequences:
- Intensified religious and ethnic tensions.
- Strengthened Sikh resolve for autonomy and military resistance.
- Laid the foundation for Sikh-Mughal conflicts in the 18th century.
5. Suppression of Rajput Autonomy
Aurangzeb broke from the Mughal tradition of alliances with Rajput rulers, which had previously ensured political stability.
- After the death of Raja Jaswant Singh of Marwar, Aurangzeb tried to annex Marwar directly, sparking the Rajput rebellion (1679–1707).
- The Mewar and Marwar kingdoms joined forces to resist Mughal dominance.
Consequences:
- Weakened Mughal control in Rajasthan.
- Rajput loyalty, a cornerstone of Mughal military strength, was lost.
- Long-term erosion of imperial unity.
6. Repercussions in the Deccan
Aurangzeb spent the last 25 years of his reign waging wars in the Deccan against the Marathas, Bijapur, and Golconda.
- His religious policies fueled Maratha nationalism.
- Shivaji and later Maratha leaders saw themselves as protectors of Hindu dharma against Mughal tyranny.
- The wars drained the imperial treasury and cost thousands of lives.
Consequences:
- Led to the decentralization of power in the empire.
- The Deccan wars overextended Mughal resources.
- Marathas emerged as a powerful anti-Mughal force in the 18th century.
7. Economic and Cultural Decline
Aurangzeb’s religious policies indirectly impacted the economic and cultural vitality of the empire.
- Many traders, bankers, and artisans (especially non-Muslims) lost state patronage or migrated to safer regions.
- His refusal to invest in art, music, and architecture led to a decline in cultural production.
- While he built the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore and the Bibi Ka Maqbara in Aurangabad, his reign lacked the architectural brilliance of his predecessors.
Consequences:
- The empire’s economic and cultural influence diminished.
- Regional powers began to assert autonomy.
- The Mughal court lost its appeal as a center of artistic and intellectual excellence.
8. Long-Term Legacy
Aurangzeb’s reign, despite territorial expansion, is widely seen as the beginning of the end of the Mughal Empire.
- His intolerance fractured the multi-religious, multi-ethnic coalition that sustained the empire.
- The seeds of communal division planted during his reign had long-lasting effects on Indian society.
- After his death in 1707, the empire quickly disintegrated, with power devolving to regional kingdoms.
Consequences Today:
- Aurangzeb remains a controversial historical figure.
- Debates continue about whether he was a pious ruler upholding his faith or a tyrant suppressing diversity.
- His reign is often cited in discussions of religious intolerance, statecraft, and imperial decline.
Conclusion: A Complex Ruler with Lasting Impact
Aurangzeb’s religious policies marked a dramatic departure from the inclusive ethos of earlier Mughal emperors. His vision of a centralized Islamic state may have aligned with his personal beliefs, but it clashed with the diversity of the Indian subcontinent. By alienating key allies, suppressing cultural expression, and prioritizing orthodoxy over unity, Aurangzeb undermined the very foundations of the empire he sought to expand.
While he succeeded in extending Mughal territory to its greatest geographical extent, the cost was political fragmentation, economic decline, and social unrest—consequences that would unravel the empire within a few decades of his death.