Was Aurangzeb Cruel?

Brutality of Aurangzeb: A Legacy of Violence and Religious Intolerance

Aurangzeb, the sixth Mughal emperor, ruled over the Indian subcontinent from 1658 to 1707. His reign is often viewed through a highly controversial lens due to his brutal policies, religious intolerance, and extreme measures to enforce his vision of Islamic orthodoxy. While his reign is marked by military expansion, territorial consolidation, and the growth of the Mughal Empire, it is also one of the most brutal periods in Indian history. The following account highlights some of the most brutal acts attributed to Aurangzeb, shedding light on his merciless nature, his treatment of religious minorities, and his violent political machinations.

1. Destruction of Temples

Aurangzeb is infamous for his destruction of Hindu temples across his empire, which he ordered to promote Islamic orthodoxy. He believed that the construction and existence of temples were an affront to Islam. The most notable examples of temple destruction include the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, the Somnath Temple, and several others. His policy was not just about demolition, but also about depriving Hindus of their religious spaces and marginalizing their social practices.

The Kashi Vishwanath Temple was completely demolished, and a mosque was constructed in its place. The destruction of temples was not confined to just the holy sites of the Hindus, but also extended to several sacred shrines and monasteries of the Jains and Sikhs. These acts were part of Aurangzeb’s broader strategy to establish his religious ideology and subjugate non-Muslims, particularly Hindus, under Mughal rule.

2. Imposition of the Jizya Tax

One of the most despised policies of Aurangzeb was the re-imposition of the Jizya tax on non-Muslims. After a brief period of relief under his predecessors, where this tax had been abolished, Aurangzeb reintroduced it as a way to assert Islamic supremacy. The Jizya was a tax levied on non-Muslims living under Islamic rule, essentially forcing them to pay for the privilege of continuing their religious practices.

This move was met with widespread resentment across the subcontinent. Hindus, Sikhs, and other non-Muslim communities were outraged at the financial burden and the symbolic act of religious discrimination. Aurangzeb’s policies aimed at making life difficult for non-Muslims, compelling them to convert to Islam or face harsh economic and social discrimination.

3. Execution of Guru Tegh Bahadurji

One of the most horrific events of Aurangzeb’s reign was the execution of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Guru of the Sikhs. Guru Tegh Bahadurji was known for his unwavering commitment to religious freedom, and he refused to bow to Aurangzeb’s demand that he convert to Islam. In 1675, after a prolonged period of torture and imprisonment, Aurangzeb ordered the execution of Guru Tegh Bahadurji. However, the brutality did not end with the Guru.

Guru Tegh Bahadurji’s three loyal disciples—Bhai Mati Das, Bhai Sati Das, and Bhai Dayala—were also subjected to gruesome tortures before being executed in the most inhumane ways. Bhai Mati Das was sawed in half, while Bhai Sati Das was tied to a post and burnt alive. Bhai Dayala was boiled to death. These executions, meant to break the spirit of the Sikh community, instead ignited a fierce resistance that would culminate in the formation of the Khalsa under Guru Gobind Singh.

Guru Tegh Bahadurji’s martyrdom and the torture and execution of his disciples were key turning points in the history of Sikhism. They not only exposed Aurangzeb’s brutal methods but also strengthened the resolve of the Sikh community to fight against religious oppression.

4. Execution of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj

The execution of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the son of Shivaji Maharaj, is one of the darkest chapters in the history of Aurangzeb’s rule. Sambhaji Maharaj led the Marathas in their struggle against the Mughal Empire and proved to be a formidable opponent for Aurangzeb. After a long period of conflict, Sambhaji was captured by the Mughal forces in 1689.

Instead of granting him the dignity of a warrior’s death, Aurangzeb subjected Sambhaji to an excruciatingly brutal execution. He was tortured in ways that are unimaginable, with his body being mutilated and subjected to severe pain. His eyes were gouged out, and he was repeatedly whipped. Finally, he was executed in a cruel and public manner, with his body being desecrated after death. This execution, along with the torture, was meant to serve as a warning to the Maratha resistance, but it only intensified the Marathas’ resolve to continue their struggle against the Mughal Empire.

5. The Shahibzades’ Execution

One of the most tragic and brutal events during Aurangzeb’s reign was the execution of the Shahibzades, the two young sons of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru. Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh, aged just 9 and 7 respectively, were captured by the Mughal forces after their father, Guru Gobind Singh, had been engaged in resistance against Aurangzeb’s oppressive regime.

The Shahibzades were brought before Aurangzeb’s forces and were given the choice to convert to Islam in exchange for their lives. However, despite their young age, the brothers refused to abandon their faith and convert. In response to their unwavering stance, Aurangzeb ordered their execution in one of the most brutal ways possible.

Shahibzade Zorawar Singh and Shahibzade Fateh Singh were bricked alive, a cruel method meant to break their spirits. Their bodies were encased in a wall while they were still alive, symbolizing the ruthless nature of Aurangzeb’s regime and the lengths to which he would go to assert Islamic orthodoxy. The martyrdom of the Shahibzades became a rallying cry for the Sikh community, further solidifying their resolve to resist oppression.

This act of cruelty marked yet another dark chapter in Aurangzeb’s reign and fueled the determination of the Sikhs to continue their struggle against his tyranny. The martyrdom of the Shahibzades remains one of the most poignant moments in Sikh history, a testament to the bravery and religious steadfastness of the young brothers.

6. The Persecution of Hindus and Sikhs

Under Aurangzeb’s rule, the persecution of Hindus and Sikhs intensified. Numerous temples were destroyed, and the practice of Hinduism was further marginalized. Aurangzeb’s attempts to forcibly convert Hindus to Islam created widespread resentment among the local population. The Sikhs, who had already been subjected to Aurangzeb’s cruelty with the execution of Guru Tegh Bahadur, faced severe repression during his reign. Several Sikh leaders were arrested, tortured, and executed.

Aurangzeb also carried out several campaigns of forced conversion, where Hindu communities were given the choice of converting to Islam or facing violence. This created an atmosphere of fear and resentment, particularly among the Hindu population.

7. Crackdown on Music and Art

Aurangzeb’s puritanical views on Islam led him to ban music, dance, and other forms of art, which were seen as indulgences that went against the teachings of the religion. He imposed a strict prohibition on these activities in his court, forcing musicians, dancers, and artists to abandon their craft. Temples that were known for their cultural and artistic practices were targeted, and the destruction of these institutions resulted in the loss of invaluable cultural heritage.

Aurangzeb’s reign marked the end of an era of cultural flourishing that had characterized the Mughal court under his predecessors. His actions curtailed artistic expression and silenced many of the vibrant cultural traditions that had thrived in India for centuries.

8. Destruction of Libraries and Cultural Heritage

Aurangzeb’s destructive actions extended to libraries and places of learning. The loss of ancient manuscripts and religious texts, particularly those related to Hinduism and other Indian religions, is a direct result of his policies. Libraries housing valuable knowledge were destroyed, and important cultural centers were dismantled. This deliberate destruction of intellectual property was part of his broader agenda to suppress non-Islamic traditions.

9. Execution of His Brothers

Aurangzeb’s ambition to secure his throne led him to commit one of the most heinous acts in Mughal history—the execution of his own brothers. To secure his position as emperor, he killed his three brothers: Dara Shikoh, Murad Bakhsh, and Shah Shuja.

Dara Shikoh, the eldest son of Shah Jahan and a scholar known for his more tolerant views, was executed by Aurangzeb after a brutal fight for the throne. Dara was captured, imprisoned, and tortured before being executed. His death was not quick—he was beheaded in a gruesome manner, and worst aspect was sending head of Dara to Shah Jahan!!

Murad Bakhsh, the second brother, was also executed by Aurangzeb after being arrested in battle. Murad’s execution was swift but brutal, demonstrating Aurangzeb’s willingness to go to any lengths to secure his rule. Shah Shuja, another brother, was executed in a similarly brutal manner.

Aurangzeb’s willingness to kill his own brothers to gain and secure power exposes the depths of his political ruthlessness. The executions of these family members were part of his obsessive desire to control the Mughal throne, regardless of the cost.

10. Imprisonment of His Father

One of the most heart-wrenching aspects of Aurangzeb’s reign was his treatment of his own father, Emperor Shah Jahan. Aurangzeb, driven by ambition, imprisoned his father in the Agra Fort for the last eight years of his life. Shah Jahan, once the ruler of the Mughal Empire and the creator of the Taj Mahal, was denied his freedom, dignity, and comfort during his final years.

Aurangzeb’s cruelty went beyond simple confinement. He rationed the water supplied to Shah Jahan, and even when Shah Jahan requested an increase in the supply, his son refused. The elderly emperor, who was ill and frail, was subjected to this cruelty, which left him in isolation and deprivation. This heartless act reflected Aurangzeb’s obsession with power and his complete lack of regard for familial bonds.

Conclusion

Aurangzeb’s reign left a legacy of brutality and intolerance that shaped the course of Indian history. His actions against religious minorities, particularly Hindus and Sikhs, remain a dark chapter in the annals of the Mughal Empire. The destruction of temples, the imposition of discriminatory taxes, the torture and execution of religious leaders, the massacre of his own family members, and the imprisonment and cruelty toward his father all attest to his ruthless pursuit of power and his uncompromising vision of religious orthodoxy. Aurangzeb’s reign serves as a reminder of the dangers of unchecked authority, religious intolerance, and the inhumanity that can result from the desire to impose one’s ideology on others.