Many of us have seen the memes of the fact that someone named “Aurangzeb” has given Indians a tough time yet again, but many of do not know why is the late Mugal Emperor being dragged into a war between India and Pakistan. Let’s explore;
Who was Aurangzeb Alamgir?
The grandson of Jahangir, son of Shahjahan (yes, the one who made Taj Mahal) and great grandson of Akbar, Aurangzeb is considered as the last effective Mugal rural. He had his father and older brother killed to accede to the throne.
Even though he inherited a strong empire, he was power hungry and ambitious. Known for his acumen in battlefields and forging impossible alliances, Aurangzeb was probably the strongest Mugal emperor.
Why do Indians hate Aurangzeb?
Fifty years of conservative Islamist rule has made him a polarizing personality in the Subcontinent. Ringing true to the two-nation theory, while the muslims hold him in reverence the Hindus view him as a tyrant. Even the Sikhs see him as someone who killed their 9th and 10th Guru. The truth is more complicated than these labels.
As a ruler (not a democratically elected reader) from a post-modern era, he ruled like anyone expected from him in those times and political realities. His great grandfather, Akbar was a liberal ruler who came up with his all-unifying religion to the “Deen-e-Ilahi” to strengthen his rule while his father was a great romantic chiefly known for building the Taj mahal for his mom, Mumtaz, but Aurangzeb was raised as a devote, conservative muslim who imposed a strict shariah law.
This meant a tax on the non-muslim subjects. An expulsion of music from the durbars and destruction of temples and statues across the kingdom. The Marathas separated from the kingdom and many battles were fought with them. His strict Islamist rule alienated the Rajputs that were previously pouring in resources into the Mugal Raj.
While the muslims hold him as a true practicing Muslim leader who expanded the empire, ruled with justice and impartiality while winning decisive battles at the same time. This image of a leader that was neither an atheist like Akbar, nor someone who was viewed as weak due to his admiration of fine arts like Jhangir or a heartbroken old man who couldn’t even make sure his nominated heir sits on the throne like Shah Jahan, drew respect and reverence for the muslims of subcontinent.
Why is he being brought up again after 300 years?
With the rise of Hidutva and BJP in India, Modi has been igniting religious hatred in the country. India, once hailed as the biggest secular democracy in the world, has regressed into a bigoted, hatred spewing country where religious minorities fear for their life every day.
Many right-winged Hindu extremists have used the image of Aurangzeb to call for demolition of his tomb and to whitewash him from text books.
Aurangzeb- The significance of the name in INDO-PAK war
After the recent unprovoked Indian attack on Pakistan and a swift yet restrained answer to Indian aggression by the Pakistani forces, especially the air force, AVM Aurangzeb, the spokesperson of Pakistani Air Force took the limelight for his fact based press briefing that claimed downing of five Indian Air Force jets.
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