Why Aurangzeb Died A Broken Man?

Aurangzeb: The Emperor Who Died a Broken Man and deservingly so

Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb (1618–1707) was one of the most controversial rulers in Indian history. His reign lasted for nearly 50 years (1658–1707), making him the longest-ruling Mughal emperor. Yet, despite his military successes and vast territorial expansion, he died a defeated and broken man—physically, mentally, and emotionally. His final years were filled with failures, regrets, rebellions, and a realization that his empire was collapsing. This article explores how Aurangzeb, once the most powerful ruler in the world, met his lonely and tragic end.

1. Aurangzeb’s Ruthless Reign and Early Successes

Aurangzeb came to power in 1658 after imprisoning his father, Shah Jahan, and killing his own brothers, Dara Shikoh, Shuja, and Murad. He justified his actions as necessary for the empire, portraying himself as a righteous Islamic ruler who would purify the Mughal state. His policies, however, led to deep discontent:

• Persecution of Hindus: He destroyed temples, reimposed the jizya tax, and banned Hindu festivals.
• Execution of Sikh and Hindu Leaders: He had Guru Tegh Bahadur (9th Sikh Guru) beheaded in 1675 and tortured Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj to death in 1689.
• Endless Wars: He waged wars against the Rajputs, the Marathas, the Sikhs, and the Deccan Sultanates, overstretching his empire.

For the first few decades, his military campaigns were successful, but by the 1680s, cracks began to appear. He became trapped in a cycle of constant rebellion, failed strategies, and personal isolation.

2. The Endless Maratha Resistance

One of Aurangzeb’s biggest mistakes was underestimating the Marathas. He believed that after Shivaji Maharaj’s death (1680), he could easily destroy the Marathas. However, this proved to be his greatest failure.

• Sambhaji Maharaj (1681–1689): Aurangzeb spent eight years trying to defeat Sambhaji Maharaj but only managed to capture him through treachery in 1689. Even after brutally torturing and executing Sambhaji, the Marathas continued to fight under Rajaram Maharaj and later Tarabai.
• Guerrilla Warfare: The Marathas, unlike the Mughals, did not depend on large armies. Instead, they used hit-and-run tactics, making it impossible for Aurangzeb to hold territories.
• Financial Drain: His Deccan campaign lasted 27 years (1681–1707), depleting the Mughal treasury and weakening his army.

Aurangzeb himself admitted his failure in a letter, writing:
“I have exhausted my wealth, and yet the Deccan is not conquered.”

By the end of his life, he realized that the Marathas had become too strong to be defeated, and his empire had nothing to gain from the war.

3. Betrayal by His Own Sons

Aurangzeb’s cruelty was not limited to his enemies—he was equally harsh toward his own family. He had his elder son, Muhammad Akbar, banished when the latter rebelled against him in 1681. His other sons, Azam and Muazzam, constantly fought against each other for the throne.

In his final years, he realized that he had destroyed his own family in the pursuit of power, just as he had done with his brothers in 1658. His sons were waiting for him to die so they could seize the empire, further deepening his misery.

4. A Financial and Administrative Collapse

Aurangzeb’s obsession with war drained the Mughal treasury. Unlike his predecessors, who focused on administration, trade, and infrastructure, Aurangzeb spent almost all his time fighting battles.

• Severe Taxation: To fund his wars, he over-taxed the people, causing widespread resentment.
• Declining Economy: The once-flourishing Mughal economy collapsed under his rule due to continuous warfare.
• Rebellions Everywhere: The Jats, Rajputs, Bundelas, Sikhs, and Marathas all rose against him, forcing him to divide his army across India.

By the time of his death, his empire had become too large to control, and the administration was falling apart.

5. Loneliness and Regret in His Final Years

Aurangzeb spent his last years in Ahmednagar, exhausted and disillusioned. He had no trustworthy allies, and his empire was on the verge of collapse. His letters during this time reveal his deep regret and sadness.

One of his most famous letters, written shortly before his death, states:

“I do not know who I am, why I came into the world, and what will happen to me. I am alone, helpless, and sad. I have committed great sins, and I do not know what will happen to my soul.”

Despite ruling the richest empire of his time, he died without peace, without trust, and without happiness.

6. His Miserable Death (1707)

Aurangzeb died on March 3, 1707, at the age of 88, in Ahmednagar. Unlike his ancestors, who were buried in grand mausoleums, he had left instructions for a simple grave.

• His tomb in Khadki (Aurangabad) is a plain structure with no grand decorations, reflecting his regret and realization that his rule had been a failure.
• Before his death, he had written:
  “I came alone, and I go as a stranger. I do not know who I am and what I have been doing.”
• His body was buried with only a small piece of cloth, paid for by his own earnings from selling copies of the Quran.

7. The Immediate Collapse of His Empire

Within a few years of Aurangzeb’s death, the Mughal Empire began to disintegrate:

• The Marathas took over the Deccan and expanded rapidly.
• The Rajputs, Sikhs, Jats, and Bundelas gained independence.
• His sons fought a war of succession, further weakening the empire.

By 1737, the Mughal Empire had lost its military dominance, and by 1757, it became a puppet state under the British and other regional powers.

Conclusion: A Life of Power, A Death of Misery

Aurangzeb’s life is a classic example of how excessive ambition and religious fanaticism can lead to downfall. Unlike Akbar, who united people, Aurangzeb divided and destroyed his own empire. He died as a lonely and broken man, haunted by his failures.

In the end, his enemies survived, his empire crumbled, and his name became synonymous with tyranny. His life teaches an important lesson—ruthless power may bring temporary success, but it ultimately leads to ruin.