Aurangzeb: The Most Evil Ruler in Indian History

Aurangzeb, the sixth Mughal emperor, ruled India from 1658 to 1707. His reign was marked by religious intolerance, relentless wars, and economic destruction. While some historians attempt to portray him as a dedicated ruler, the overwhelming evidence shows that he was the most tyrannical and oppressive king in Indian history. His policies led to mass persecution, cultural destruction, and the downfall of the Mughal Empire. This article explores why Aurangzeb deserves the title of India’s most evil ruler.

Aurangzeb’s Rise to Power: A Path of Bloodshed

Aurangzeb was the third son of Emperor Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. Unlike his elder brother Dara Shikoh, who was a scholar and believed in religious tolerance, Aurangzeb was a religious fanatic. He saw himself as a defender of Islam and despised the syncretic culture promoted by earlier Mughal rulers like Akbar.

His rise to power was brutal:

1. He Killed His Own Brothers – To seize the throne, Aurangzeb executed Dara Shikoh after a fake trial and paraded his corpse in Delhi. He also killed his brothers Shuja and Murad to eliminate any competition.
2. He Imprisoned His Own Father – He locked up Shah Jahan in Agra Fort until his death, denying him medical care.

This ruthless ambition set the tone for his rule, which became one of the bloodiest in Indian history.

Religious Fanaticism and Persecution of Hindus

Aurangzeb’s reign was marked by systematic oppression of Hindus:

1. Reintroduction of Jizya Tax (1679) – Unlike Akbar, who abolished this discriminatory tax on non-Muslims, Aurangzeb reimposed jizya, making Hindus pay simply for practicing their religion.
2. Destruction of Temples – He ordered the demolition of thousands of temples, including:
   • Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Banaras)
   • Keshav Rai Temple (Mathura)
   • Somnath Temple (Gujarat)
3. Forced Conversions – Many Hindus, especially in Bengal and the Deccan, were forced to convert to Islam or face persecution.

These policies led to widespread resentment and uprisings, which ultimately weakened the Mughal Empire.

Oppression of Sikhs and Execution of Guru Tegh Bahadur

Aurangzeb was responsible for one of the darkest chapters in Sikh history. When Guru Tegh Bahadur stood up against the forced conversion of Hindus in Kashmir, Aurangzeb ordered his brutal execution in 1675 in Delhi.

• Guru Tegh Bahadur was beheaded in Chandni Chowk, and his followers were also killed in horrific ways. If you read how Bhai Dayal Das , Bhai Sati Das and Bhai Sati Das were martyred your soul shall get shaken.
• This act strengthened Sikh resistance, eventually leading to the rise of Guru Gobind Singh and the Khalsa army, which played a crucial role in resisting Mughal oppression.

Brutality Against the Marathas: The Execution of Sambhaji Maharaj

Aurangzeb’s greatest enemy was the Marathas, led by Chhatrapati Shivaji and later his son Sambhaji Maharaj. The Mughals tried repeatedly to crush the Marathas but failed.

After Shivaji’s death, Aurangzeb saw an opportunity to weaken the Marathas. In 1689, he captured Sambhaji Maharaj through treachery. Instead of treating him as a political prisoner, Aurangzeb subjected him to unspeakable torture:

• His eyes were gouged out
• His tongue was cut off
• He was brutally killed, and his body was chopped into pieces

Even after this atrocity, the Marathas continued their resistance, making Aurangzeb’s later years miserable.

Aurangzeb’s Wars: Wasting the Empire’s Wealth

Unlike Akbar, who consolidated the empire, Aurangzeb’s rule was marked by constant warfare. His policies drained the empire’s resources and weakened its administration.

1. 27-Year War Against the Marathas – Aurangzeb personally led Mughal forces in the Deccan for nearly three decades, but he could never defeat the Marathas.
2. Rebellions by Rajputs and Jats – His religious intolerance angered the Rajputs, who had been loyal allies of the Mughals under Akbar and Jahangir. The Jats of Bharatpur also rose against him.
3. Assam Campaign Failure – Aurangzeb’s expedition against the Ahoms in Assam ended in disaster. His army was humiliated at the Battle of Saraighat (1671) by Lachit Borphukan.

His obsession with war meant that he never focused on governance, leaving the empire unstable after his death.

Destruction of Art and Culture

Unlike earlier Mughal rulers who promoted art, architecture, and music, Aurangzeb was a cultural destroyer.

1. Banned Music and Dance – He considered music sinful and dismissed court musicians. Many great artists left his court.
2. No Major Architectural Achievements – While Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan built magnificent structures like Fatehpur Sikri and the Taj Mahal, Aurangzeb built only a few mosques and neglected infrastructure development.
3. Burning of Hindu Scriptures – He ordered the destruction of Hindu texts, considering them un-Islamic.

His cultural destruction set back India’s artistic and intellectual progress for years.

Economic Ruin and Decline of the Mughal Empire

Aurangzeb’s policies bankrupted the Mughal Empire:

• Excessive Taxation – His wars required heavy taxation, making life miserable for common people.
• Destruction of Trade Centers – Many temple towns like Banaras and Mathura were major trade hubs. Their destruction hurt the economy.
• Empire Became Overstretched – Aurangzeb controlled vast territories but had no efficient administration, making the empire vulnerable to later invaders.

His death in 1707 left the empire in shambles, and within 50 years, the Mughals became puppets under the British and other regional powers.

Aurangzeb vs. Other Tyrants in Indian History

While there were other cruel rulers in Indian history, none matched Aurangzeb’s combination of religious extremism, brutality, and long-term damage.

• Alauddin Khilji – Brutal but focused on administration.
• Tipu Sultan – Persecuted Hindus and Christians but had progressive policies too.
• Muhammad bin Tughlaq – Harsh but not fanatically religious.

Aurangzeb, however, combined tyranny, religious fanaticism, economic destruction, and cultural suppression on an unmatched scale.

Conclusion: Aurangzeb’s Legacy of Hatred

Aurangzeb’s reign was the beginning of the end for the Mughal Empire. His extreme policies:

• Weakened the empire by alienating Hindus, Sikhs, Rajputs, and Marathas.
• Destroyed India’s cultural heritage by banning music and demolishing temples.
• Bankrupted the treasury, making later Mughal rulers powerless.

While some revisionists try to portray him as a “hardworking ruler,” history clearly shows that Aurangzeb was India’s most evil king. His actions caused immense suffering and division, the effects of which lasted long after his death. If any ruler deserves to be called the worst in Indian history, it is Aurangzeb.