Aurangzeb was the sixth emperor of the Mughal Empire. He was a monarch who was ambitious, conservative, and aggressive all at the same time. He is frequently said to be the last effective Mughal emperor. The Mughal empire grew to encompass practically the whole Indian subcontinent under his rule. During his rule, the Mughal Empire enjoyed rapid economic growth. He was an orthodox Sunni Muslim and did various reforms according to Saria. In this article, we will discuss the Religious policy of Aurangzeb which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Religious Views of Aurangzeb

• Aurangzeb is noted for his strong religious beliefs and practices.
• He was an orthodox, conservative Muslim. He is thought to have memorized the entire Quran, Islam's holy book or scriptures.
• He had studied Hadiths and paid close attention to Islamic customs and translated the Quran into various languages.
• In addition, some academics believe that he was the Mughal Empire's anti-Hindu monarch throughout its history.
• His grandpa had offered fresh directions toward Islam's prevailing laws, notwithstanding his grandfather's great advocacy for plurality and secularism.
• Aurangzeb was also involved in expanding his political and religious domination over the Indian subcontinent, albeit more actively.
• His religious beliefs reveal more about his conservatism.

Religious Policy of Aurangzeb

• Aurangzeb forbade the Kalma from being written on coins at the start of his reign, fearing that it would be crushed or polluted as it passed from one hand to another.
• The festival of Nauroz was outlawed by Aurangzeb because it was regarded as a Zoroastrian practice embraced by Iran's Safavid monarchs.
• Muhtasibs were appointed by Aurangzeb in each province. Their main task was to ensure that people followed the sharia in their daily lives.
• Muhtasibs were in charge of making sure that the things (such as intoxicants and gambling dens) that the sharia and the Zawabits (secular decrees) had forbidden were not openly available.
• While choosing Muhtasibs, Aurangzeb made it clear that the state was equally responsible for the residents' moral well-being. However, these officers were told not to interfere in people's personal lives.
• Aurangzeb adopted a number of puritanical measures in 1669, but many of them were economic and social in nature and were directed against superstitious beliefs.
• He outlawed singing in the courtroom and retired the official musicians. However, the instrumental music and Naubat (the royal band) kept going.
• The ladies of the harem, as well as individual aristocrats, continued to support the singing.
• It's worth noting that during Aurangzeb's reign, the majority of Persian works on classical Indian music were created. Aurangzeb himself was a talented Veena player.
• The practice of Jharokha darshan, or presenting oneself to the public from a balcony, was abolished by Aurangzeb (initiated by Akbar). He saw it as a superstitious ritual that was incompatible with Islam.
• On his birthdays, Aurangzeb outlawed the practice of weighing the emperor against gold, silver, and other valuables. However, because of popular demand, Aurangzeb was forced to allow this ceremony for his sons after they recovered from illness.
• Astrologers were forbidden from making almanacs by Aurangzeb.
• Aurangzeb exempted Muslim traders from paying the cess for the development of Muslims who were (nearly) entirely reliant on the state.
• However, Aurangzeb discovered that Muslim businessmen were abusing the system and defrauding the government, so he revived it but reduced the fee to half of what others were charging.
• "Long-standing temples should not be demolished, but no new temples allowed to be built," Aurangzeb reiterated Sharia's attitude on temples, synagogues, churches, and other religious structures.
• He also stated that "buildings cannot last forever," thus old houses of worship could be renovated.
• However, in his reign, he ordered the destruction of the great temple of Somnath because of which Aurangzeb faced political resistance from a variety of sources, including the Marathas, Jats, and others.
• As a result, when dealing with local elements, Aurangzeb thought it was acceptable to destroy even long-standing Hindu temples as a big punishment and a warning.
• Temples were seen by Aurangzeb as hotbeds of rebellious ideas, or beliefs that were not acceptable to the orthodox elements.
• As a result, when he learned that both Hindus and Muslims used to come from vast distances at several temples in Thatta, Multan, and notably Banaras in 1669, he took harsh action.
• Aurangzeb issued orders to all provincial governors prohibiting such acts and destroying all temples where such practices were taking place.
• As a result of these instructions, a number of temples, including the famed Vishwanath temple in Banaras and the temple of Keshava Rai in Mathura, were demolished and replaced with mosques.
• As a result, numerous temples built in Orissa in the previous ten to twelve years were demolished.
• During the 1679-80 period of enmity between the Rathors of Marwar and the Rana of Udaipur, several historic temples in Jodhpur and surrounding Parganas, as well as in Udaipur, were demolished.
• After 1679, it appears that Aurangzeb's desire to destroy temples waned, as there was no trace of any large-scale temple destruction in the south after then (between 1681 and his death in 1707).
• The jizyah (or poll tax) was reintroduced by Aurangzeb (it was abolished by Akbar). Payment of jizyah was mandatory for non-Muslims in a Muslim state, according to the Sharia.
• Aurangzeb, on the other hand, did not attempt to alter the nature of the state, but rather reaffirmed its basically Islamic nature. His religious beliefs could not be used to justify his political actions.
• On several occasions, however, Aurangzeb's religious ideals and convictions collided with his political or public policies, forcing him to make tough decisions.
• This sometimes led to him pursuing contradictory policies that harmed the empire.

Conclusion

Aurangzeb was a devout Sunni Muslim who regarded Islam as the foundation of his reign, and he based his rule on the Quran (Shariat). Many Ordinances were circulated by Aurangzeb in 1659 AD for the rearrangement of the principles of Islamic conduct according to the regulations of the Quran. Aurangzeb's main purpose was to turn India into Dar-ul-Islam (the Land of the Muslims) instead of Dar-ul-Herb (the Land of the Infidels). Because of his adherence to Islamic principles, and because of his hard-hearted Sunni people, Aurangzeb was known as the imperial dervish. He was noted for living a humble life, doing prayers on a regular basis, and not consuming alcohol throughout his life.

FAQs

Q1: What was the religious policy of Aurangzeb?

Q2: How did Aurangzeb's religious policies differ from Akbar's?

Q3: What was the Jizya tax reintroduced by Aurangzeb?

Q4: How did Aurangzeb’s religious policies impact his empire?

Q5: Did Aurangzeb destroy Hindu temples during his reign?

MCQs

1. What tax did Aurangzeb reintroduce on non-Muslims during his reign?

a) Khiraj

b) Jizya

c) Zakat

d) Fitr

2. Which Mughal emperor followed a strict Sunni Islamic policy?

a) Akbar

b) Jahangir

c) Aurangzeb

d) Humayun

3. What impact did Aurangzeb’s religious policies have on the Rajputs?

a) Strengthened their loyalty

b) Weakened their support

c) Increased their autonomy

d) Made them part of his administration

4. Which of the following temples was destroyed by Aurangzeb?

a) Brihadeshwara Temple

b) Kashi Vishwanath Temple

c) Jagannath Temple

d) Sun Temple, Konark

5. Which Mughal emperor abolished the Jizya tax that Aurangzeb later reintroduced?

a) Babur

b) Akbar

c) Shah Jahan

d) Jahangir

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1. Discuss the religious policy of Aurangzeb and its impact on the Mughal Empire.

Answer: Aurangzeb’s religious policy was characterized by his strict adherence to Sunni Islam and the reintroduction of conservative measures that alienated non-Muslims. Unlike Akbar’s inclusive policies, Aurangzeb reintroduced the Jizya tax on non-Muslims, destroyed several prominent Hindu temples, and restricted the celebration of Hindu festivals. These measures led to resentment among the Rajputs, Marathas, and Sikhs, weakening the traditional Mughal alliances. The enforcement of Islamic laws and the attempt to centralize religious authority also strained relations with Muslim nobles. Consequently, Aurangzeb's religious policies contributed to the gradual decline of the Mughal Empire, as regional powers grew stronger and internal discontent increased. The alienation of non-Muslim communities fostered rebellion, particularly from the Marathas under Shivaji, and weakened Mughal control over its vast territories.

Q2. Analyze the factors that led to the reintroduction of the Jizya tax by Aurangzeb in 1679.

Answer: Aurangzeb’s decision to reintroduce the Jizya tax in 1679 can be attributed to multiple factors, both religious and political. First, Aurangzeb sought to assert his role as a defender of Sunni orthodoxy by reinforcing Islamic governance in his empire. The Jizya tax, a traditional Islamic levy on non-Muslims, was seen as a tool to differentiate Muslims from non-Muslims and affirm the supremacy of Islam in the state. Second, Aurangzeb's political situation required additional revenue, and the Jizya provided a steady source of income. However, this move led to widespread discontent among non-Muslims, particularly the Rajputs, who had been loyal to the Mughal Empire under more tolerant rulers like Akbar. The reimposition of the Jizya was symbolic of Aurangzeb’s departure from the syncretic policies of his predecessors, contributing to internal strife and weakening Mughal alliances.

Q3. Evaluate the impact of Aurangzeb’s temple destruction policies on his relations with Hindu rulers.

Answer: Aurangzeb’s policy of temple destruction, which targeted several important Hindu religious sites like the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the Kesava Deo Temple in Mathura, severely impacted his relations with Hindu rulers, particularly the Rajputs. These acts were seen as an attack on Hindu religious sentiments and further alienated Hindu subjects, who had enjoyed relative religious freedom under previous Mughal rulers. The destruction of temples was part of Aurangzeb’s broader policy of enforcing Islamic orthodoxy, but it created deep resentment among the Hindu rulers who had once supported the Mughal Empire. This policy weakened Mughal alliances with powerful Rajput clans, leading to revolts and reduced loyalty to the central authority. Additionally, the Marathas under Shivaji capitalized on this discontent, challenging Mughal authority in the Deccan. The resulting rebellions and fragmentation of Mughal power marked the beginning of the empire’s decline.

Previous Year Questions on  Religious Policy of aurangzeb

1. UPSC CSE Mains 2017

Question. How did Aurangzeb’s religious policies contribute to the decline of the Mughal Empire?

Answer: Aurangzeb’s religious policies played a key role in the decline of the Mughal Empire. Unlike his predecessors, who had pursued policies of religious tolerance and accommodation, Aurangzeb sought to impose Sunni orthodoxy across the empire. His decision to reimpose the Jizya tax on non-Muslims in 1679 was a particularly controversial move, alienating the Hindu majority and creating deep resentment among the empire’s subjects. Aurangzeb also ordered the destruction of Hindu temples, such as the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Kesava Deo Temple, further antagonizing the Hindu population. These policies led to widespread revolts, especially from the Rajputs, Marathas, and Sikhs, who had previously been loyal to the Mughal throne. The Rajputs, who had been integral to Mughal military and administrative strength, became disillusioned and rebelled against Aurangzeb. The Marathas, under Shivaji, waged guerrilla warfare against the Mughal forces, while the Sikhs launched revolts in Punjab. These rebellions, combined with Aurangzeb’s focus on religious orthodoxy rather than administrative efficiency, weakened the Mughal Empire, contributing to its fragmentation and decline after his death in 1707.
 

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2018

Question. Discuss the significance of the reimposition of Jizya by Aurangzeb and its political and social consequences in medieval India.

Answer: The reimposition of the Jizya tax by Aurangzeb in 1679 was a significant departure from the religiously tolerant policies of earlier Mughal rulers like Akbar, who had abolished the tax to promote harmony between the Muslim ruling class and their Hindu subjects. The Jizya was a tax levied on non-Muslims, and its reimposition marked a shift toward religious orthodoxy under Aurangzeb’s reign. This move had considerable political and social consequences. Politically, it alienated many Hindu groups, particularly the Rajputs, who had been important allies of the Mughal Empire. This strained Mughal-Rajput relations, weakening the empire’s control over key territories. The Marathas and Sikhs also viewed the Jizya as discriminatory, and their subsequent rebellions further destabilized the empire. Socially, the tax increased resentment among the Hindu population, contributing to widespread discontent and uprisings. While Aurangzeb saw the reimposition of Jizya as a means of strengthening Islamic rule, it ultimately weakened the Mughal Empire by eroding the support of non-Muslim subjects and deepening communal divisions, leading to internal fragmentation and the decline of Mughal power after Aurangzeb's death.