Aurangzeb Alamgir, the sixth and last of the “Great Mughal” emperors, was a ruler of immense administrative talent, military genius, and religious devotion. Reigning for 49 years, he expanded the Mughal Empire to its greatest territorial extent, covering almost the entire Indian subcontinent.
Aurangzeb Alamgir: Quick Facts
- Full Name: Muhi-ud-Din Muhammad.
- Regnal Title: Alamgir (Conqueror of the World).
- Birth Date: November 3, 1618 CE.
- Birthplace: Dahod, Gujarat.
- Father: Shah Jahan (The 5th Mughal Emperor).
- Mother: Mumtaz Mahal.
- Death: March 3, 1707 CE (Aged 88) in Ahmednagar, India.
- Resting Place: A simple, roofless grave in Khuldabad, Aurangabad.
1. Early Life, Birth, and Education
Aurangzeb was born in Dahod during the reign of his grandfather, Jahangir. He was the third son of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal.
Education: Aurangzeb was highly intellectual. He was a master of Arabic and Persian and was a skilled calligrapher. Unlike his brother Dara Shikoh, who focused on mysticism, Aurangzeb was deeply committed to Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh) and military science.
Character: From a young age, he was known for his self-discipline, bravery, and lack of interest in the traditional luxuries of the royal court.
2. Rise to Power: The War of Succession
The struggle for the throne was one of the most intense in Mughal history.
The Conflict: When Shah Jahan fell ill in 1657, a civil war broke out between the four brothers: Dara Shikoh, Shuja, Murad, and Aurangzeb.
Success: Aurangzeb’s superior military strategy led him to victory at the Battle of Samugarh (1658). He subsequently took the throne and adopted the title Alamgir.
3. How He Created a Massive Empire
Under Aurangzeb, the Mughal Empire reached its zenith. He was a tireless conqueror who spent the last 27 years of his life in the Deccan.
Territorial Reach: His empire stretched from Kabul in the west to Chittagong in the east, and from the Himalayas in the north down to the Cauvery River in the south.
Annexation: He successfully dismantled the Deccan Sultanates of Bijapur and Golconda, bringing South India under Mughal central rule for the first time.
4. Major Battles and Military Success
Aurangzeb was a warrior-emperor who personally led many campaigns.
Conquest of the Deccan: His longest conflict was against the Maratha Empire, led by Shivaji Maharaj, and the remaining Southern Sultanates.
Ahoms and Pathans: He faced significant rebellions and border wars with the Ahom Kingdom in Assam and the Pashtun tribes in the northwest.
Naval Strength: He strengthened the Mughal Navy (Sidi Navy) to protect trade routes from piracy and European colonial influence.
5. Life Achievements and Construction
Contrary to some historical myths, Aurangzeb was a prolific builder of functional and religious architecture:
Badshahi Mosque (Lahore): At the time of its completion, it was the largest mosque in the world and remains an architectural masterpiece.
Bibi Ka Maqbara: Built in Aurangabad in memory of his wife, Dilras Banu Begum.
Moti Masjid: A private “Pearl Mosque” inside the Red Fort in Delhi.
Fatawa-e-Alamgiri: His greatest non-architectural achievement was the compilation of this massive digest of Islamic Law, which served as the legal code for the empire.
6. Death and Simple Legacy
Aurangzeb died in Ahmednagar in 1707. In his final will, he requested a burial that reflected his humble personal life:
The Grave: He was buried in an open-air grave in Khuldabad, funded entirely by the money he earned by sewing caps and copying the Quran by hand.
End of an Era: His death marked the beginning of the gradual decline of the Mughal Empire due to succession wars and the rising power of the Marathas and Persians.
7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which area did Aurangzeb Alamgir belong to?
Aurangzeb was born in Gujarat, lived much of his life in the imperial capitals of Delhi and Agra, and spent his final decades in the Deccan (South India).
Who were Aurangzeb’s mother and father?
His father was the Emperor Shah Jahan and his mother was Mumtaz Mahal. He was their third son.
What was Aurangzeb’s biggest achievement?
His biggest achievement was the unification of the Indian subcontinent under one administrative and legal system (Fatawa-e-Alamgiri).
Why is he called Alamgir?
“Alamgir” is a Persian title meaning “Conqueror of the World,” a name he chose upon his coronation to reflect his military ambitions.