The dreaded Aurangzeb regretted his actions in the last phase.
Aurangzeb’s insistence on continuous wars caused huge destruction in the country. Most of the destruction occurred in the south. In the areas where there were continuous wars, there was no farming left. Towns and markets all became deserted. The governance system completely collapsed. There was looting everywhere. There were countless deaths due to hunger. Bones of animals along with soldiers and other people were scattered all around.
Aurangzeb, the most autocratic ruler of the Mughal dynasty, was writing to his son Azam in his last days, he had come alone. I am going alone. The days I spent apart from worshiping God gave me nothing but anger. Neither could he actually rule the empire nor obey the subjects. With the death of Aurangzeb, the Mughal dynasty declined rapidly. There was a crown on his head but at the last moment Aurangzeb was finding himself helpless – read his story.
Account of what was achieved in the last days
Babar laid the foundation. Akbar expanded and strengthened it. During the reign of Shahjahan, stories of the glory of that empire spread far and wide. But Aurangzeb’s wishes kept increasing. He was continuously engaged in wars to expand the border. He lost the sympathy of the people due to the oppression of the Hindu population and the destruction of their faith centers for the propagation of Islam. The results started appearing during his lifetime.
The sons were at loggerheads among themselves over the question of succession. The sons were waiting for their father to die with their eyes on the throne. On the other hand, Aurangzeb, who had reached the age of ninety, was broken not only physically but mentally. Now he was looking into himself. Was also disappointed about the achievements in life. Explaining his condition, he was offering to divide the empire between his feuding sons. He could see darkness ahead.
Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
The coin was floating but the foundation was weak.
Aurangzeb ascended the throne in 1658 at the age of forty. His rule continued till 1707. But for the last 23 years he remained camping with his army in the south, away from Delhi. There was a long series of wars. In these, not only soldiers died and not only war-torn areas were destroyed. His bad influence spread far and wide. The constant need of money for the army emptied the royal treasury.
Pressure increased on government employees to raise money. New methods were discovered for recovery. Then this recovery was not only for the government. The workers engaged in work started filling their pockets. The king was away. Control continued to loosen. Got the status of Subedars. The status of Delhi was still intact. The coin was moving the same. But the foundation had started weakening.
Piles of human and animal bones everywhere
Contemporary historian Manuchi described the scene of Aurangzeb’s return from Ahmednagar in these words, “There was no trace of crops or trees left in the far-flung fields of the provinces and areas left behind. There were heaps of bones of men and animals everywhere. Instead of greenery, there was drought and desolation everywhere.”
Every year approximately one lakh people of the army died. The number of horses, elephants, oxen, camels etc. that died was three times that. The twin disaster of famine and epidemic broke out in the southern provinces between 1702-04. Nearly twenty lakh lives were lost in this. On one hand, Aurangzeb was returning towards the north, while on the other hand, the Marathas were increasing the problems of the royal army by continuously plundering its supply chain.
Emperor Shahjahan.
The emperor found himself alone
In April 1705, Aurangzeb camped at Devapur, a quiet village on the banks of the Krishna River in the south. According to Hijri Sun, he was ninety years old. Irrespective of his age, he became ill due to excessive hard work and stress. The pain was so severe that he became unconscious again and again. He and his courtiers were disappointed. After the condition improved somewhat, he reached Ahmednagar on 20 January 1706. It was from here that he left for South Fatah 23 years ago. But he had to pay a heavy price for this victory.
A period of anarchy, chaos and disintegration began in the entire empire. Delhi’s grip started loosening. He lived a long life but the trusted nobles and governors who supported him were dead. Wazir Asad Khan was the only ally left from his youthful days. He had also turned 85. Daughter Zeenat-un-Nisha had also grown old. The only remaining Choti Begum of Udaipuri was mentally unstable. The obsession and drug addiction of his son Kambaksh was troubling Aurangzeb. Family life was turbulent. There was a certain distance from the young associates of the court. There was a crowd of cheering people all around. But Aurangzeb was finding himself alone.
nothing was found except paint
By the beginning of February 1607, Aurangzeb’s health had deteriorated significantly. He started becoming unconscious often. To separate the quarreling sons, he appointed Kambaksh as the governor of Bijapur on 9 February. On 13 February, Azam was made the Subedar of Malwa. Azam knew that his father was not going to live much longer, so he was moving forward slowly. In his last days, he wrote to Azam, “I came alone. I am going alone. Apart from worshiping God, the days I spent gave me nothing but anger. Neither could I actually rule the empire nor follow the people. My precious life was wasted. My master was inside. But my blind eyes could not see him. My fever has subsided. Only skin and chaff are left behind on my body.”
Aurangzeb wrote to Kambaksh, “I will take with me the burden of all the sins and misdeeds I have committed. When I had strength in my body, I did not take care of it. Now I cannot even take care of myself. The movement of my limbs has also stopped. I am not even sure of getting my breath back. I am trembling. I bid farewell to you. Take care that the farmers and people should not be wasted unnecessarily. Muslims should not be killed. Otherwise, punishment will be given.” I will have to suffer.
Also read: What did Nadir Shah of Iran loot from the Mughals? From Peacock Throne to Kohinoor, here is the list