Abu al-Muzaffar Muhi-ud-Din Muhammad Aurangzeb Alamgir
- Born:
- November 3, 1618, Dahod, Gujarat, Mughal India
- Died:
- March 3, 1707, Ahmadnagar, Deccan, Mughal India
- Nationality:
- Mughal
- Profession(s):
- Emperor of the Mughal Empire (1658-1707)
Early Life and Education
- Spent a significant portion of his early life as a hostage to Nur Jahan.
- Received a comprehensive education in Arabic, Persian, theology, and military arts.
- Developed a reputation for piety and administrative competence early in life.
Career and Major Achievements
- Served as viceroy of the Deccan region, gaining military and administrative experience.
- Successfully campaigned against the Uzbeks in Balkh and Badakhshan.
- Seized the Mughal throne after a war of succession against his brothers, including Dara Shikoh.
- Expanded the Mughal Empire to its greatest territorial extent.
- Implemented various reforms based on Islamic law.
Legacy and Impact
Aurangzeb's reign is a complex and controversial period in Indian history. He is known for his piety, administrative reforms, and military campaigns, but also for his religious policies and the Deccan Wars which significantly drained the Mughal treasury. The availability of an aurangzeb biography in english pdf allows for a deeper exploration of his life and impact.
Notable Policies and Contributions
- Reimplementation of the Jizya tax on non-Muslims.
- Patronage of Islamic scholarship and legal institutions.
- Implementation of strict Islamic law in the empire.
- Construction of the Bibi Ka Maqbara in Aurangabad.
Military Campaigns
- Deccan Wars against the Maratha Empire.
- Expansion of Mughal control in South India.
- Conflicts with the Sikh Gurus.