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Aurangzeb

Type Figure Region South Asia Time 1618–1707 Also known as Alamgir

Sixth emperor of the Mughal Empire (r. 1658–1707), son of Shah Jahan, who reached the empire's territorial peak but is noted for stricter Islamic law…

Timeline

  1. 1618–1657Daudnagar (present-day Aurangabad) · DeccanRaised at court as Shah Jahan's third son, he served early as governor of the Deccan, known for military ability and religious devotion, and grew estranged from his brother Dara Shikoh over the succession.
  2. 1658–1660Delhi · North IndiaIn 1658 he defeated his brothers including Dara Shikoh; after executing Dara Shikoh in 1659 he was formally crowned, taking the imperial title 'Alamgir', and began consolidating central authority by military and administrative means.
  3. 1661–1670Deccan · DeccanIn 1661 he reimposed the jizya tax; in 1662 he conquered Golconda, and in 1668 he destroyed Bijapur. After signing the Treaty of Purandar with Shivaji (1665), Shivaji escaped from Agra (1666). In 1669 he ordered the destruction of the Vishnu temple at Benares. In 1670 Deccan warfare continued as Maratha guerrilla threats grew.
  4. 1671–1707Deccan military camp · MaharashtraFrom the 1670s he was long stationed in the Deccan campaigning against the Marathas, while imperial finances and military strength gradually drained. He died in 1707 on campaign, and a war of succession immediately broke out among his four sons as the empire declined from its height.

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