Aurangzeb: The Peak and the Twilight of the Mughal Empire

The Mughal Empire reached its territorial zenith under the reign of Aurangzeb (1658–1707), who expanded the empire to encompass almost the entire Indian subcontinent. During his rule, India overtook Qing China to become the world’s largest economy, an era of unprecedented economic power. However, despite these triumphs, Aurangzeb’s reign is a study in contradictions.

Unlike his more tolerant predecessors, Aurangzeb was far more conservative in his approach to religion and governance. He reintroduced the jizya tax on non-Muslims, a policy that had been abolished by Akbar, and ordered the destruction of several prominent Hindu temples. Yet, paradoxically, he also commissioned the construction of many Hindu temples and employed more Hindus within his imperial bureaucracy than any Mughal ruler before him. Aurangzeb valued administrative capability over religious affiliation, promoting individuals based on merit rather than creed.

Nevertheless, his reign is often critiqued for undermining the syncretic, pluralistic culture that had flourished under earlier Mughal emperors. His policies led to rising religious tensions and an increasing centralization of power, which strained the traditional decentralized nature of the empire. The once-vibrant tolerance and inclusivity of Mughal rule began to erode under his more orthodox stance.

In terms of military might, the English East India Company faced a setback during the Anglo-Mughal War, signaling that, despite internal strife, the Mughal Empire could still deliver a formidable blow to foreign powers. However, the cracks in the empire’s foundation were beginning to show, and this period marked the start of its gradual decline. Aurangzeb’s reign, while a high point in territorial expansion, also sowed the seeds of the eventual disintegration of the Mughal dynasty.