Who was the best Mughal emperor? Today the last contender: Aurangzeb (reign 1659-1707). Although there were more Mughal emperors after Aurangzeb’s death, he was practically the last effective ruler, and the empire experienced a period of decline in the 18th century. Apart from being the last effective ruler, Aurangzeb is also the most controversial one and his legacy is passionately debated in India and Pakistan nowadays. More about this later.

Aurangzeb was a great military leader and during his reign, the Mughal empire reached its greatest extent. By adding the new areas to his empire, Aurangzeb also made the empire the most populous and richest state in the world. He did not invest as much in art and architecture as his father, but Shah Jahan’s achievements were also hard to eclipse. Thus, Aurangzeb was a dedicated emperor who increased the territory and wealth of the empire.

What makes Aurangzeb a controversial ruler were his religious policies. He was a devout Muslim and could definitely be considered less tolerant than his liberal predecessors. He introduced different aspects of sharia law and banned alcohol, drugs, and gambling. He also reintroduced the extra tax for non-Muslims which Akbar had abolished, ordered the demolition of newly built Hindu temples, and banned Diwali celebrations. On top of that, he executed a Sikh guru which sparked religious unrest.

Some historians point out however that although he was less tolerant, he did not totally abandon the policy of religious tolerance. He did order the demolition of Hindu temples, but this plan was never executed. He even built more temples and paid for their maintenance. On top of that, the state hired more Hindu bureaucrats than ever.

In contemporary Indian and Pakistani society, the legacy of Aurangzeb is exploited and politicized. In India, led by the Hindu nationalist BJP, he is presented as a Muslim fundamentalist. In Pakistan, the Islamic republic, Aurangzeb is perceived as a hero. The representation of the Mughal empire in Pakistani and Indian (school) history books is very interesting and worthy of a post on its own. 

Originally posted on Instagram on February 22, 2022