Aurangzeb worsened the financial condition of the country and the treasury by continuously engaging in wars.
Like Akbar, Aurangzeb also ruled India for about 49 years. However, he left Akbar behind in the matter of expanding the boundaries of the state. But unlike Akbar who established peace in the country through strong governance and family reconciliation, Aurangzeb worsened the financial condition of the country and its treasury by continuously engaging in wars. His policy of religious fanaticism, Jizya tax on Hindus and demolition of temples angered the majority of the population. Of course, he remained firmly on the throne throughout his life but he opened the way for the decline of the Mughal Empire.
Aurangzeb, who imprisoned his father Shahjahan in his quest for the throne and brutally eliminated three brothers Dara, Murad and Shuja who were at the crossroads, is remembered as the most autocratic ruler in Mughal history. But how lonely and helpless Aurangzeb was finding himself in his last days is reflected in his letters and will written to his sons. Read some of his excerpts.
Came alone, now with a bundle of sins
Aurangzeb wrote to his son Azam, “Old age has come and weakness has increased a lot. The body is not working. I came alone and am going alone. Whatever time I spent apart from worshiping God, nothing was achieved except money. Neither could I rule the Sultanate truly nor could I take care of Riyaa. My precious life was wasted.”
Famous historian Yadunath Sarkar has cited this handwritten letter of Aurangzeb available in the British Museum in his book focused on it. He further wrote, “My fever has subsided and all that is left behind is this skin and the upper husk. I had brought nothing with me into this world. But now I am carrying a bundle of sins with me. I don’t know what punishment I am going to get? But I have full hope of mercy from God.”
Aurangzeb was called the most cruel emperor of the Mughal Empire.
don’t trust anyone
In another letter written to his second son Kambaksh during this period, he also expressed his plight. The fear of his sons quarreling among themselves and the fall of the empire troubled him. He wrote, “I tried everything possible. But no one listened to me. It was not acceptable to God. What is the use of saying it now? I will bear the burden of all the sins and misdeeds I have committed. The movement of my body parts has also stopped. The breath that goes out, there is no hope of its coming back. I leave you and your children in the trust of God. Worldly people cheat. Do not trust them blindly.”
In the letter he also mentioned his brother Dara, whom he had brutally murdered, and wrote that he failed because he did not make proper arrangements. Gave advice to his son, “Stay within your limits only. Take care that farmers and people are not destroyed and Muslims are not killed. Otherwise I will have to suffer the punishment for all this.”
Aurangzeb’s tomb built in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Photo: PTI
Couldn’t forget Dara even after killing him
After Aurangzeb’s death, a will written in his hand was found under his pillow. He had not taken any decision on who would sit on the throne next. Instead, he wrote that whoever becomes the emperor should distribute the provinces among the remaining brothers so that there are no wars and deaths. In this will, he gave twelve advices to his heirs and expressed hope that they would follow them. While writing these, his heart and mind were dominated by his complaint about his extra love for his father Shahjahan and brother Dara Shikoh.
He wrote, “Never trust your sons or show closeness to them. Because if Emperor Shahjahan had not shown such favor to Dara Shikoh, he would not have met such a painful end.”
It is necessary for the ruler to roam and remain alert
To become a successful ruler, Aurangzeb had also suggested tricks to his heirs in his will. The emperor should be constantly moving around. One should not stay at any one place for too long. Staying at one place will obviously provide relief but thousands of problems will come to your mind. Every news from every area of the empire should be known as quickly as possible. It is important to always be alert. Due to my slight carelessness, Shivaji escaped from captivity, as a result I had to fight with the Marathas till the end. Aurangzeb has described Iranian employees as the most reliable for governance and Turani soldiers for fighting. He described the Sayyids of Baraha as revered and taught them to treat them with respect as per the verses of the Quran. He also wrote to show kindness towards those servants and soldiers who remained with him even in difficult situations and to forgive them if they committed any mistake.
Arrangements for shroud were made from the earnings of hats
Aurangzeb did not want any expenses related to his death to be borne by the royal treasury. His instructions were also to do this work with simplicity. He wrote, “Cover the grave of me, a sinner immersed in injustice, with the cloth offered there. The means to accomplish this task are with Prince Azam and should be obtained from him. The four rupees and two annas left over from the caps I sewed are deposited with Mahaldar Ala Beg. Take money from him and spend them on the shroud. Three hundred and five rupees earned from copying the Quran are in my wallet, distributed them among the fakirs on the day of my death.” Shias consider the money earned from copying the Quran sacred, so it should not be used to buy shrouds etc.
He had forbidden the procession of singers with the funeral procession. It was also written in the tomb to keep the head uncovered, because Aurangzeb believed that whoever approaches God, the Emperor of sinful emperors, with an open head, He has mercy on him.
Also read: Aurangzeb got his brother killed by calling him an infidel, was he an enemy of Islam?
