Aurangzeb

=Aurangzeb= Aurangzeb was an emperor of the Mughal Dynasty who succeeded Shah Jahan. He began his reign during a period of internal decay and increasing dangers from external enemies. He had qualities that made him an able leader, one that might have saved the Mugal Dynasty, but he was driven by two ambitions that crippled the empire. He was determined to extend Mughal control over the entire Indian subcontinent, and he believed he had to purify Indian Islam by removing Hindu influences. His goal of conquering India gave the Mughals many more enemies; and though after 50 years the Mughals controlled India, constant warfare drained the treasury and extended an already inefficient bureaucracy. Also warfare diverted Aurangzeb from the administrative needs and reforms of the empire that were necessary to keep power. Also his goals of eliminating Hinduism caused a disruption in the social peace of the empire. Aurangzeb put many new restrictions on Hindus and reinstated the head tax or jizya. By the end of his reign the Mughal Empire was larger and more unstable than ever before.

Back to Unit 5 & 6 Terms Created by Max Crawford 12/8/08 Edited by Frances Grimball 12/11/08