Question

Aurangzeb was a victim of circumstances and also helped to create the circumstances which he became a victim of. To what extent we can say that the downfall of the Mughal empire was due to the mistaken policies adopted by Aurangzeb? Discuss

Answer 1

Approach:

• Give a brief background of Mughal empire during the rule of Aurangzeb.
• The statement given is in itself neutral. So mention the mistakes/loopholes in the Aurangzeb's policies but at the same time try to highlight the other problems also to balance the answer.
• Again give a balanced conclusion. Don’t take a definite stand.

The Mughal Empire declined rapidly after the death of Aurangzeb. The unity and stability of the Empire had been shaken up during the long and strong reign of Aurangzeb; yet in spite of his many harmful policies, the Mughal administration was still quite efficient and the Mughal army quite strong at the time of his death in 1707. While not absolving Aurangzeb from all responsibility, the picture should be seen in the context of the economic, social, administrative and intellectual situation prevailing in the country before and after during his reign.

Economic Situation
Trade and manufacture, as well as agriculture production were stagnating and no new methods of cultivation were available to stop this as the soil became exhausted. The land revenue was heavy. While the production increased slowly, the expectations of the ruling class expanded rapidly. Hence they tried to increase their income from land, squeezing the peasants and zamindars. Aurangzeb added to the crisis by steadily increasing the ‘khalisa’ or the tracts reserved for royal expenses. This was to meet the growing administrative expenses as well as also the cost of the wars which were a continuous feature of his reign.

Political Situation
In the political field, Aurangzeb committed a number of mistakes. Aurangzeb’s goal of binding together the whole nation under one focal political specialist was, however reasonable in principle, but difficult in practice. He also failed to understand the true nature of the Maratha movement. He failed to solve the Maratha problem. The impact of Deccani and other wars on the Mughal empire and of the prolonged absence of him from north India definitely had an impact but it should not be overestimated. Despite the mistakes of policy and some of the personal shortcomings of Aurangzeb, such as his excessive suspiciousness and narrow and cold temperament, the Mughal empire was still powerful and vigorous military and administrative machinery.

Religious Policy
His failure to respect the susceptibilities of his non-muslim subjects on many occasions, his adherence to the time-worn policy towards temples and reimposition of jizya alienated the Hindus and strengthened the hands of those sections which were opposed to the Mughal empire for political or other reasons. By itself, religion was not a point at issue. Jizya was scrapped within half a dozen years of Aurangzeb’s death and restrictions on new temples eased. But again this had no effect on the rapidly accelerating decline and disintegration of the empire.

In the ultimate resort, the decline and downfall of the empire were due to economic, social, political and institutional factors. By the time Aurangzeb came to power, the socio- economic forces of disintegration were already strong. He lacked the foresight and statesmanship necessary to effect fundamental changes in the structure or pursue policies which could, for the time being, reconcile the various competing elements.

Thus Aurangzeb was both a victim of circumstances and helped to create the circumstances of which he became a victim.