Who was worse Alauddin Khilji or Aurangzeb?

Alauddin Khilji vs. Aurangzeb: Who Was Worse?

Indian history has witnessed the rule of many powerful emperors, but two of the most controversial and ruthless rulers were Alauddin Khilji and Aurangzeb. Both expanded their empires through military conquests, imposed harsh policies, and oppressed non-Muslims. However, their methods, ideologies, and long-term impact on Indian society differed. This article provides a detailed comparison of their rule to determine who was worse in terms of brutality, religious intolerance, economic policies, and impact on India.

Alauddin Khilji: The Tyrant of the Delhi Sultanate

Alauddin Khilji (reigned 1296–1316) was the second ruler of the Khilji dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate. He is remembered for his military conquests, oppressive taxation policies, and harsh treatment of both enemies and allies.

1. Military Brutality and Expansionist Ambitions

Alauddin Khilji was a relentless warrior who expanded the Delhi Sultanate into Gujarat, Rajasthan, Malwa, and southern India. His campaigns were characterized by mass killings, destruction of cities, and enslavement of people. His invasions of Ranathambore (1301), Chittorgarh (1303), and Jalore (1311) resulted in massacres of Rajput warriors and civilians. The legendary story of Rani Padmini and Jauhar during the siege of Chittorgarh is often cited as an example of his barbarity.

His southern invasions, led by his general Malik Kafur, devastated kingdoms like Devagiri, Warangal, Dwarasamudra, and Madurai. Temples were looted, women and children were enslaved, and local rulers were forced into submission.

2. Economic Policies: Strict but Harsh

Alauddin implemented one of the strictest economic policies in medieval Indian history. He:

• Controlled prices of food grains and essential goods to prevent inflation.
• Confiscated land from nobles and imposed high taxes on farmers (up to 50% of produce).
• Established a spy system to monitor traders and officers, punishing those who defied his rules.

While these policies ensured a strong economy and a well-fed army, they caused immense suffering for common people and traders, who were often punished for minor infractions.

3. Religious Intolerance and Temple Destruction

Although Khilji was not a strict Islamist, he targeted non-Muslims for wealth and power. He:

• Destroyed Hindu and Jain temples, including the Somnath temple in Gujarat.
• Enslaved thousands of Hindus and Jains during his conquests.
• Allowed forced conversions in some cases, though he was more politically motivated than religiously fanatical.

4. Personal Cruelty

Alauddin was paranoid and ruthless even toward his own family and court members. He:

• Executed his uncle and former ruler, Jalaluddin Khilji, to seize the throne.
• Had several of his nobles, advisors, and family members killed to eliminate threats.
• Grew extremely distrustful in his later years, punishing officials on mere suspicion.

His brutality ensured a strong empire, but after his death in 1316, the Khilji dynasty collapsed rapidly.

Aurangzeb: The Mughal Emperor Who Destroyed His Own Empire

Aurangzeb (reigned 1658–1707) was the sixth and last major Mughal emperor. He expanded the empire to its largest extent but was responsible for religious intolerance, excessive taxation, and prolonged wars that drained the empire’s resources.

1. Military Conquests and Ruthless Expansion

Aurangzeb spent most of his 49-year reign fighting wars against the Marathas, Rajputs, and Deccan Sultanates. His empire stretched from Kashmir to Tamil Nadu, but his conquests came at a great cost.

• His Deccan campaigns against the Marathas (led by Shivaji and later Sambhaji) lasted over 25 years and drained the treasury.
• His Rajput wars led to the alienation of Rajput allies, weakening Mughal unity.
• He executed Sikh Guru Tegh Bahadur for resisting forced conversions, creating permanent hostility with the Sikhs.

2. Religious Fanaticism and Temple Destruction

Aurangzeb was deeply religious and intolerant of other faiths. Unlike his predecessors like Akbar, he actively persecuted Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains. His policies included:

• Re-imposing Jizya tax (a tax on non-Muslims).
• Demolishing thousands of temples, including the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi and the Kesava Deo Temple in Mathura.
• Banning Hindu festivals and discouraging non-Muslim customs in court.

His policies alienated Hindu rulers like the Rajputs and Marathas, leading to constant rebellions.

3. Economic Mismanagement and Decline

Aurangzeb’s wars were extremely costly, and his economic policies hurt the empire.

• He spent enormous amounts on military campaigns, depleting Mughal wealth.
• He overburdened peasants with high taxes, leading to frequent famines and revolts.
• His intolerance toward Hindu traders and officials weakened Mughal administration and trade.

His obsession with religious orthodoxy blinded him to economic realities, ultimately weakening the empire from within.

4. Cruelty Towards Family and Rivals

Aurangzeb was perhaps the most ruthless Mughal emperor when it came to personal ambition. He:

• Executed his eldest brother, Dara Shikoh, despite his popularity.
• Imprisoned his own father, Shah Jahan, in the Agra Fort for eight years.
• Killed several of his nephews and relatives to eliminate competition.

His paranoia and cruelty made him feared but not loved, and after his death in 1707, the Mughal Empire rapidly declined due to internal conflicts and revolts.

Who Was Worse?

Both rulers were ruthless, but their impact differed:

Criteria	Alauddin Khilji	Aurangzeb
Military Brutality	Conquered North & South India through massacres	Constant wars against Rajputs, Sikhs, and Marathas
Religious Intolerance	Destroyed temples but not fanatically religious	Systematic persecution of Hindus, Sikhs
Economic Impact	Strong economy but harsh taxes	Declining economy due to wars and religious policies
Family Cruelty	Killed nobles and relatives out of paranoia	Imprisoned father, executed brothers and nephews
Legacy	Short-term expansion, rapid decline	Religious divide, empire collapsed soon after

Final Verdict

• Alauddin Khilji was a brutal military dictator, but his cruelty was more political and economic rather than religious. His rule was marked by strict governance, economic control, and paranoia, but it did not permanently change India’s social structure.
• Aurangzeb, however, was worse in terms of long-term impact. His religious intolerance, temple destruction, and discriminatory policies created lasting divisions between communities, leading to the eventual collapse of the Mughal Empire and deepening Hindu-Muslim tensions.

Thus, Aurangzeb’s reign was more destructive in the long run, as it weakened the Mughal Empire and sowed seeds of conflict that lasted for centuries.