Deccan policy of Aurangzeb.
Deccan policy of Aurangzeb.
To what extent was Aurangzeb's Deccan policy responsible for the fall of the Mughal Empire?
Criticize and evaluate Aurangzeb's Deccan policy.
Discuss the relationship between Aurangzeb and the Marathas.
.png)
Aurangzeb's Deccan policy:-
The rise of the Maratha or Hindu power in the Deccan under the leadership of Shivaji became a cause of special concern for Aurangzeb. In the meantime, when Aurangzeb was busy increasing his power in North India, Shivaji had increased his power a lot. Therefore, Aurangzeb wanted to prevent the expansion of the Maratha power at any cost.
Shaista Khan against Shivaji:- After seizing the Mughal throne, Aurangzeb sent Shaista Khan against Shivaji. Shaista Khan captured some important forts of Shivaji. Then Shaista Khan established a base in Pune. But Shivaji ambushed Shaista Khan in that army camp and defeated him and Shaista Khan fled from the Deccan.
Jai Singh against Shivaji:- Then Jai Singh was sent against Shivaji. He cleverly forced Shivaji to sign the Treaty of Purandar in 1665 AD. At this time, Shivaji was kept under surveillance in the Mughal court, but he was able to cleverly escape from there.
Mughal-Maratha conflict 1670:- Then in 1670 AD and from then on, direct conflict between the Mughals and the Marathas began. Shivaji continued to capture Mughal forts one after another. Especially after capturing the forts of Konkan, Madurai and Purandar, which were very important for the Mughals, the Mughal army became very weak.
Shambhuji and Mughal Conflict: - After Shivaji, his son Shambhuji ascended the Maratha throne. Immediately after assuming the throne, he attacked Mughal-occupied Aurangabad and Burhanpur. He also gave shelter to Aurangzeb's rebellious son Akbar. But in the end, Shambhuji refused to help Prince Akbar in the internal affairs of the court against the Mughal family. Golconda and Bijapur were already in the hands of the Mughals. Then Aurangzeb defeated and killed Shambhuji in an ambush.
Aurangzeb's wrong policy in Golconda and Bijapur: - After the death of Shambhuji, the Marathas became confused and started attacking and looting Mughal territories. Shambhuji's younger brother Rajaram ascended the throne and he also took refuge in Jinja and started opposing the Mughals on a large scale. This opposition became so widespread that it spread to the Eastern Ghats.
Aurangzeb's wrong policy in Karnataka: - After the death of Shambhuji, Aurangzeb assumed that the decline of Maratha power was complete. Based on this wrong idea, he moved to occupy Karnataka. But he did not adopt any specific policy for Bijapur and Golconda.
Intense anti-Mughal struggle under the leadership of Rajaram: - Between 1690 and 1703 AD, the anti-Mughal struggle under the leadership of Rajaram gained a large scale and attacks on the Mughals increased. Under the leadership of Rajaram, several Mughal forts were captured by the Marathas.
Aurangzeb's wrong military policy: - Aurangzeb focused only on achieving military victories in the Deccan. But he was completely indifferent to the other problems that were facing the Mughals. As the Mughal-Maratha conflict that had been going on for a long time did not yield any specific results, anger began to manifest itself among the Mughal commanders and nobles. Again, the Mughal army was devastated by floods and epidemics.
Demoralization of Mughal generals: - In this situation, many Mughal generals and nobles, unable to trust the emperor, secretly entered into an agreement with the Marathas and ensured their safety. They agreed to give the Marathas "Chautha".
Shahu and Mughal relations: - Realizing the importance of the situation, Aurangzeb ordered the release of Shambhuji's son Shahu and his mother. Shahu was told to give seven thousand mansab. However, Rajaram continued to fight against the Mughals until 1709. After his death, his wife Tarabai joined the fight against the Mughals.
Evaluation of Aurangzeb's Deccan policy: -
Aurangzeb could not completely defeat the Maratha army despite fighting throughout his life. Therefore, historians have questioned the relevance of Aurangzeb's Deccan policy. His Deccan policy was criticized from various aspects. For example -
1. Due to the large size of the Mughal Empire, it was not possible for Aurangzeb to deploy all his power only in the Deccan.
2. As Aurangzeb was busy with the Marathas for a long time, on the one hand, the treasury suffered a huge loss, on the other hand, the fear of the Marathas against the Mughals was removed.
3. Aurangzeb followed a very wrong policy and captured Bijapur and Golconda. As a result, a large part of the soldiers of those two states joined the Maratha army and strengthened the Marathas.
4. Due to his long preoccupation with the Deccan, the central government in other parts of the empire became weak and lax.
5. Aurangzeb could have formed an alliance with the Shia states in the Deccan and used them against the Marathas. But he could not show that diplomatic foresight.
6. Aurangzeb could not have any idea about the unity, patriotism, and nationalism of the Marathas.
In conclusion, it can be said that Aurangzeb followed the military policy adopted by his predecessors, but due to the indomitable mentality of the Marathas, the Mughal army could never completely defeat them. Some wrong diplomatic decisions, aversion to reform, lack of unity in the army - etc. gradually ensured the decline of the Mughal Empire.
0 comments