A Critical Review of Aurangzeb Alamgir's Deccan Policy

  A Critical Review of Aurangzeb Alamgir's Deccan Policy

Introduction

Shah Jahan intended to invade the Deccan so that the states there harbored the rebels of Joshali Hind and eliminate them and annex the area directly to the Mughal Empire. Since Aurangzeb had been in charge of the affairs of the Deccan for some time before his accession to the throne, he had predicted that as long as the Muslim states of Bijapur and Golkonda existed, the Marathas would gain momentum.

Both the states had become tributaries of the Mughals during the reign of Shah Jahan, but they too did not abide by any agreement. Delays in paying taxes had become their norm and their relations with the Marhats were also on the rise and they were given all kinds of assistance. The rulers proved incompetent and luxurious.Therefore, Aurangzeb's heartfelt wish was that the states of Bijapur and Golconda should be integrated into the Mughal Empire and thus the repression of the Marhats would become easier.

Early ammunition

In 1682, Aurangzeb sent troops under the leadership of J. Singh, Bahadur Singh and Dalir Khan to conquer Bijapur and Golconda, but they failed. The last expedition was sent with great preparation under the leadership of Dalir Khan and Prince Shah Alam, but due to the success of the prince and the mutual disagreement of the Rajput officers, they had to fail.

Conquest of Bijapur (1686 and accession)

Adil Shah Sani was a capable ruler. When Aurangzeb returned to the throne after making a treaty with him in 1657, Adil Shah broke the treaty due to the circumstances and also conspired with the Marhats. In 1665, Jai Singh was sent to conquer Bijapur but Adil Shah devastated the entire surrounding area. Due to which the royal forces faced difficulties and the siege was lifted due to lack of supplies. After Sultan Adil Shah, his son Sikandar Jawhi became a minor. During his reign, Bijapur became a hotbed of cadre conspirators and princes were divided into different groups. The state system became chaotic. In those days Shivaji attacked the Mughals with an army of 30,000 but the Mughals defeated the Deccanis and an agreement was reached between Adil Shah and the Mughals by which Alexander Adil's sister was married to Shahnarada Azam and Adil Shah was inducted into the Mughal army and given a position and a pension of one lakh rupees. He was later detained at Daulatabad Fort. Here he died in 1700 and belonged to the state of Bijapur

Annexed to the Mughal Empire.

 Conquest of Golconda in 1687

Abdullah Qutb Shah with whom Aurangzeb had made a treaty in 1565. After the death of Qutb Shah, his son Abu al-Hasan succeeded to the throne. He was an incompetent and luxurious ruler. He had entrusted all the administration of his government to the Brahmin ministers of 'Mar Na Akna' and used to hold luxury parties himself. Golkonda's relations with the Mughals were not good either. So in 1687 Aurangzeb reached there and laid siege but the fort could not be conquered.

Then Aurangzeb conspired with one of the guard officers of the fort who opened the gate of the fort.

Abu al-Hassan was captured and his kingdom was annexed to the Mughal Empire in September 1687. "

 On this occasion, Captain Abdul Razzaq (Badri) fought alone with a few of his comrades. His body was badly injured. Eventually the Mughals took him to their camp and gave him medical aid and after his recovery he was given a high position.

The rise of the Marhats

With the conquest of Golconda and Bijapur, the Mughal Empire expanded, but the system of such a large state was not an easy task due to lack of means of transportation. Aurangzeb has for a long time been submissive to those states which have ruined the system of empire in northern India. After conquering these states, Aurangzeb started a long war with the Markets for domination over the whole of South India. Although he stood out against the Marhats

Achieved success but he could not break their strength.

Impact of Aurangzeb's Deccan Policy

And Nagzeb's Deccan campaigns were a major political mistake. The Deccan states were wiped out by him and the Marhats who could not stand up because of these states rose to prominence.

These campaigns had the following effects on the Mughal Empire:

The breadth of the empire

These campaigns greatly expanded Aurangzeb's empire.

According to RC Mujamdar:

He owned all of India, from Kabul to Chittagong and Kashmir. "

Difficulties

For Aurangzeb, there were no means of transportation in such a large empire. There were many difficulties. Therefore, it was very difficult for Aurangzeb to maintain law and order from such a great distance. The system of northern India, on the other hand, was in disarray due to his absence.

Burden on public exchequer

The failure of Aurangzeb's continuous campaigns cost a lot of money. Which affected the public exchequer. Due to which there was economic and financial famine in the country. 

The rise of the Marhats

Due to Deccan policy

 And Nagzeb had to struggle a lot to suppress the Marhats but due to insurrections and uprisings in North India he could not crush the Marhats power and he was gaining strength day by day. He had to fight Shivaji, Sambhaji Raja Ram and Tara Bai. It seems that he achieved many successes but he completely failed to crush the Marhats and the last Marhats proved to be the biggest reason for the downfall of the Mughal Empire.

Preparation of Mughal army

One hundred and seventy thousand Mughal troops destroyed many crops in the Deccan during the march and the government could not make up for the loss due to lack of funds. As a result, agriculture was destroyed. The land became barren and desolate. People and cattle began to starve. Trade ceased and conditions deteriorated.

Got worse

Bad health effects

As a result of long battles with the Marhats, Aurangzeb's health deteriorated and he became weaker and weaker

Began to happen.

Comment

Many of the effects came as a result of the Deccan policy, which caused irreparable damage to Aurangzeb's government. For a time, it was supported by Aurangzeb, but the subsequent Mughal princes failed to maintain it and continued to show incompetence. Drowned in luxury.

Pauline also told the truth:

"It was the spanish ulcer which ruled me, the Deccan ulcer ruined Aurangzeb." (Mahajan P. 149)

Historians accuse Aurangzeb

Some historians try to give a religious color to Aurangzeb's Deccan policy. He writes that Aurangzeb was a fanatical Sunni and did not like the existence of Shiite states in the Deccan. This objection was based on sheer rubbish and derogatory information.

 And Nagzeb was not at all jealous of religious prejudice against these states. In fact, these states supported the royal rebels and were also helpful to the Marhats. The rise of Marhata Sardar Shivaji had raised the spirits of the Hindu nation. He was dreaming of a government in the subcontinent. That is why Aurangzeb intended to destroy these states. As long as he lived, the tyranny of the Mughal Empire continued, but as soon as he died, the Mughal government fell due to the incompetence of his successor. Most of the historians of India under the leadership of Hoti-Jadu Nath Sarkar termed the Deccan conquests and Nagarzeb's blatant mistake. His view is that with his accession, Aurangzeb carried an additional burden for the Mazaliya Empire which was unbearable. Aurangzeb remained so busy in the Deccan that he could not draw his attention to northern India.