Deccan Policies of Aurangzeb

As an emperor, Aurangzeb aimed at Hindu states. Aurangzeb imposed the draconian Sharia laws in Deccan on the Sikhs, Hindus, and Muslims that did not imitate these conservative views. The Deccan strategy of the Aurangzeb was inspired through the strategy which contained the major upward influence belongs the Marathas and the disobedient arrogance of kingdoms of Siha such as the Golkonda and the Bijapur as well as to the curtail all disobedient actions of son of Akbar who had engaged refuge in the Deccan. In theAurangzeb’s Deccan Policy was an aggressive progression. In 1658 Aurangzeb’s accession allowed mitigating his aggressive plans through regard to the Deccan.

Aurangzeb’s Policy

First, Aurangzeb sent his son Azam Shah in 1685 but then did not get any advantage. After that he again sent another son Shah Alam for the same reason, to capture Bijapur. Shia Muslim, Bijapur Sultan, capably defended that fort and he lost in the end. This is only because of Aurangzeb who himself had entered the battlefield to inspire his forces to finish the fight. In the year 1687, Golkonda had been captured when defeating Abul Hasan’s ruler. The campaign, also against the Maratha ruler, was fruitful at the start. Aurangzeb then insulted Shivaji. At that time Shivaji had run away from Agra and campaigned against the Mughals kingdom.

Deccan Policies of Aurangzeb

Aurangzeb’s Deccan policy gave a simple blow to Aurangzeb as a Mughal empire. The attitude toward all the leaders of the Deccan as well as his religious prejudices caused huge destruction that led to numerous deaths of soldiers and officers. Moreover, it deflated the funds of the Mughal Empire, as well as people, also lost the prestige which belonged to all the empires of Mughal. Aurangzeb’s Deccan policy which was a huge failure with the meeting of this war against Golconda and Bijapur created a worse position for the Mughal empire. Bijapur and Golconda were occupied by Aurangzeb in the 1686-1687 campaign. 

Furthermore, Shia Muslim sentimentality towards all empires when was lost. He has also increased the huge number of opponents. Though he also had lost most of the time and he did not regulate them completely. For that, the Mughal government was also exhausted of all its reserves as well as their soldiers were starving still the war was not over and non-payment of all salaries. Aurangzeb’s Deccan policy was a despondent failure. This war against Golconda and Bijapur did not comfort the task of Marathas. Whereas, some writers also suggest, that these estranged the Shia Muslim sentimentality. His drive compared to Marathas that involved him which had heavy expenses as well as brought him also not any success. When Aurangzeb did not achieve success with their arms, then he resorted to diplomacy besides bribing all the general enemies. For this reason, the Mughal army also could not enter the Fort, also defeated by its ruler. Kutb Shah’s reign came to an end. After conquering Golconda and Bijapur, Aurangzeb then turned towards Marathas. 

Death of Aurangzeb

On March 3, 1707, Aurangzeb died at 88 years old in central India. He died for natural causes, that being terminal for illnesses which had become to him. At 49 years old, he lost his three sons who all are Muhammad Kam Baksh, Muhammad Azam Shah, Bahadur Shah I to fight each other on the vacant throne. When Aurangzeb died the Mughal empire also came to the last point that it was also filled with lots of rebellions, they all were against him as well as his beliefs. Under Aurangzeb’s son, Bahadur Shah 1 the Mughal empire started to destroy, started slowly, and finally, it ended in British rule in 1858. 

Conclusion

Aurangzeb’s Deccan policy was a total failure and he destroyed the Decan kingdom. It was a political error of the Mughals and this was a barrier between Marathas and Mughals. Aurangzeb and Shivaji continued to fight each other to get back their position in this direct clash with the exhausted Mughal treasury. For that, the Mughal government was also exhausted of all its reserves as well as its soldiers were starving still during the war. Aurangzeb’s Deccan policy was a despondent failure. On March 3, 1707, Aurangzeb died at 88 years old in central India. He died for natural causes, that being terminal for illnesses which had become to him.