The last phase of Aurangzeb's interactions with the Marathas and Deccani states started in 1687 and continued till 1707. The first phase was from 1658 to 1668, the second phase was from 1668 to1684 and the third phase was from 1684 to 1687. During the last phase, Aurangzeb tried all efforts to subjugate the Marathas. In this article, we will discuss the Aurangzeb, the Marathas and the Deccan - The Last Phase (1687–1707) which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Aurangzeb and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj

• Aurangzeb was able to focus all of his forces on the Marathas after the collapse of Bijapur and Golconda.
• In addition to attacking Burhanpur and Aurangabad, the new Maratha king, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, issued a new challenge to Aurangzeb.
• Sambhaji, son of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, gave shelter to the rebel son of Aurangzeb, Prince Akbar.
• Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj had an unusually mild approach to Prince Akbar, devoting his resources to a useless fight against the Portuguese.
• A Mughal force chased Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj at his secret refuge at Sangameshwar in 1689.
• As a rebel, Sambhaji Maharaj was brought before Aurangzeb and executed.
• As historians have pointed out, this was unquestionably a big political blunder on Aurangzeb's side.
• He may have sealed his conquest of Bijapur and Golconda by reaching an agreement with the Marathas.
• But by assassinating Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, he not only squandered this opportunity but also gave the Marathas a reason to rebel.
• The Maratha sardars were free to plunder the Mughal areas of Deccan since there was no strong authority.

Aurangzeb’s Attempts to Subjugate Marathas

• Rajaram, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj's younger brother, was crowned king, but he had to flee when the Mughals invaded his capital.
• Rajaram took refuge in Jinji on the east coast, where he continued his war against the Mughals.
• Maratha resistance extended from the west to the east coast in the same way.
• After 1690, Aurangzeb focused on annexing the rich and vast Karnataka tract to his kingdom.
• Between 1690 and 1703, Aurangzeb stood firm in his refusal to deal with the Marathas.
• At Jinji, Rajaram was finally besieged, but the siege proved to be lengthy.
• Jinji collapsed in 1698, but Rajaram, the chief prince, managed to escape. The Maratha resistance grew stronger, and the Mughals suffered a series of setbacks.
• Many of the Marathas' forts were regained, and Rajaram was able to return to Satara.
• Aurangzeb dragged his tired and ailing body from one fort siege to the next from 1700 to 1705. Floods, sickness, and the Maratha bands took a terrible toll on the Mughal force.
• All of these happenings created apathy and discontent among the nobles and the troops of the Mughals.
• Many jagirdars forged secret pacts with the Marathas, agreeing to pay chauth in exchange for the Marathas not disturbing their jagirs.
• Aurangzeb met with the Marathas in 1703 for discussions, when he was unable to control them.
• He was willing to free Shahu, the son of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, who had been kidnapped along with his mother in Satara by Aurangzeb.
• Aurangzeb offered Shahu, the Swarajya of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, as well as the right of Sardeshmukhi over the Deccan, recognising his unique status.
• To meet Shahu, more than 70 Maratha sardars had gathered.
• However, due to his uncertainty about Maratha's intentions, Aurangzeb cancelled the plans at the last minute.
• Aurangzeb realised in 1706 that capturing all of the Maratha forts would be futile.
• He retreated slowly to Aurangabad, while a jubilant Maratha army hovered nearby and attacked the stragglers.

Conclusion

In the final phase, he tried to control Marathas but he failed miserably and was never able to subjugate Marathas. When Aurangzeb died in Aurangabad in 1707, he left behind an empire that was greatly disturbed, and in which all of the empire's internal problems were coming to a climax. This eventually led to the Mughal Empire's demise.

FAQs

MCQs

1. What was one of the main reasons for the conflict between Aurangzeb and the Marathas?

A) Maratha support for Mughal rule
B) Religious differences
C) Maratha desire for territorial expansion
D) Aurangzeb’s alliances with Maratha leaders

2. Who succeeded Shivaji as the leader of the Maratha Empire?

A) Sambhaji
B) Rajaram
C) Shahu
D) Balaji Vishwanath

3. Which strategy did Shivaji use to effectively challenge the Mughal Empire?

A) Conventional battles
B) Guerrilla warfare
C) Diplomatic alliances
D) Naval superiority

4. What was one of the main impacts of Aurangzeb’s policies on the Marathas?

A) Strengthening of Maratha alliances with the Mughal Empire
B) Increase in Maratha resistance due to religious intolerance
C) Maratha domination of the Deccan region
D) Economic cooperation between the Marathas and Mughals

5. How did the death of Aurangzeb in 1707 affect the Maratha Empire?

A) It weakened the Marathas and led to their collapse
B) It allowed the Marathas to expand their influence
C) It resulted in the Marathas submitting to Mughal rule
D) It led to the rise of a new Mughal ruler who supported the Marathas

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Evaluate the role of Shivaji in shaping the Maratha resistance against Aurangzeb. How did his leadership contribute to the Maratha Empire’s expansion?

Answer: Shivaji’s leadership was crucial in shaping the Maratha resistance against Aurangzeb. He effectively utilized guerrilla warfare, which allowed the Marathas to combat the larger Mughal forces. His establishment of a strong network of forts and his ability to inspire loyalty among his soldiers helped secure Maratha territorial gains. Furthermore, Shivaji's policies of governance, which included promoting religious tolerance and supporting local administration, endeared him to his people and built a strong foundation for the Maratha Empire's expansion. Under his leadership, the Marathas transitioned from a regional force to a powerful empire, which would continue to resist Mughal dominance even after his death.

Q2: Discuss the impact of Aurangzeb’s policies on the Mughal Empire and its relations with the Marathas during the period 1687-1707. How did these policies affect the broader political landscape of India?

Answer: Aurangzeb’s policies had a profound impact on both the Mughal Empire and its relations with the Marathas. His rigid religious policies, including the re-imposition of the jizya tax and the destruction of Hindu temples, alienated the Marathas and other non-Muslim populations, fueling resistance. Moreover, his prolonged military campaigns in the Deccan drained the Mughal resources and weakened the central authority, leaving the empire vulnerable to rebellion and fragmentation. The Marathas, led by Shivaji and his successors, capitalized on this instability and expanded their influence, challenging Mughal dominance in the Deccan. This contributed to the decline of Mughal power and the emergence of regional powers like the Marathas, Sikhs, and Rajputs, altering the political landscape of India.

Q3: Analyze the significance of Aurangzeb's death in 1707 in the context of the Maratha expansion. What were the political consequences of his passing for both the Mughals and the Marathas?

Answer: Aurangzeb's death in 1707 marked a turning point in the political landscape of India. The weakening of the Mughal Empire after his death provided the Marathas with the opportunity to expand their territories. With the central authority of the Mughals diminished, the Marathas under leaders like Shahu and their military commanders gained the initiative. The Maratha Empire capitalized on the fragmentation within the Mughal Empire, launching successful military campaigns in the north and south, which resulted in the spread of Maratha influence. Aurangzeb’s death also exposed the limitations of Mughal rule, leading to the eventual decline of Mughal dominance in India, while the Marathas grew to be one of the most powerful regional forces in the subcontinent.

Previous Year Questions on Aurangzeb and the Marathas

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2020:

Question: What was the primary reason for the Maratha resistance against Aurangzeb?

A) Economic control
B) Religious intolerance
C) Political alliances
D) Territorial expansion

Answer: (B)

Explanation: The primary reason for the Maratha resistance was religious intolerance, as Aurangzeb’s policies, such as the destruction of temples and the re-imposition of the jizya tax, antagonized the Marathas, leading to prolonged conflicts.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019 (GS Paper 1):

Question: "Analyze the role of Shivaji in the Maratha resistance against Aurangzeb. Discuss how his leadership influenced the course of Maratha expansion."

Answer: Shivaji’s leadership was instrumental in shaping the Maratha resistance against Aurangzeb. He established the Maratha Empire through strategic military campaigns, the establishment of a network of forts, and the use of guerrilla warfare. His leadership provided the Marathas with a unifying figure around whom they rallied, fostering a sense of identity and resilience that carried on even after his death. Shivaji’s tactics and governance system laid the groundwork for the Maratha Empire’s expansion and continued resistance against Mughal control, which eventually weakened the Mughal presence in the Deccan.