Aurangzeb A Tragic Figure? Jadunath Sarkar Thought So

‘The life of Aurangzeb was one long tragedy- a story of a man battling in vain against an invisible but inexorable Fate a tale of how the strongest of human endeavour was baffled by the forces of the age. A strenuous reign of fifty years ends in colossal failure. And yet this king was one of the greatest rulers of Asia in intelligence, character and enterprise. This tragedy in history was developed with all the regularity of a perfect drama.”

“Akbar’s long reign from 1556 to 1605 was punctuated by a succession of brilliant but rewarding conquests and as it drew to a close it was overshadowed by rivalry and rebellion. In 1600, Prince Salim, the future Jehangir, attempted to seize Agra during Akbar’s absence. In 1602 he actually proclaimed himself Emperor, and in 1605, a few weeks before Akbar’s death, he re-erected that Ashoka pillar at Allahabad and, in a blatant assumption of Indian sovereignty, had his genealogy inscribed alongside the Mauryan edicts and Samudra-Gupta’s encomium. Abul Fazl, by now a senior commander as well as Akbar’s memorialist, was sent to deal with the prince but was coolly murdered on the latter’s orders. Even when, after reconciliation with his father, Salim/ Jahangir’s succession seemed settled, it was opposed by some sections of the nobility who preferred Prince Khusrau, Salim’s eldest son. When his father was duly installed as Emperor Jahangir, Khusrau fled north, laid siege to Lahore, and had to be subdued in a battle. Captured, he was eventually blinded under his father’s instructions.“

Aurangzeb left for a hunting trip in the jungles adjacent to the Yamuna. He had been on a trip after a gap of many years. It was a contingent of nearly two thousand men… The trip was cut short when he felt a little ill… Roshanara, managing the affairs of the zenankhana, was soon informed of the Badshah’s condition and rushed to see him one afternoon when Aurangzeb returned from his durbar for a siesta.

Entering his room she exclaimed, “Hai Allah! You are burning with fever. What’s the need to spend time in the Diwan-e-Aam when you are not well?”

“Begum Sahiba, it is just an ordinary fever. I wasn’t here for two weeks, and work has piled up. How can I afford to rest?”

“Tauba! Tauba! Is it not better to rest now rather than allow the situation to become worse?”

Aurangzeb’s forehead was glistening with sweat. He felt weak. She patted his forehead with a satin handkerchief. Aurangzeb said, “Begum Sahiba, why should I be worried about an ordinary fever when I have someone like you to take care of me?”

“You call this an ordinary fever? I am worried,” Roshanara said, holding his wrist to check his pulse.

“The Hakim said it was due to excessive strain of the shikar.”

“The Hakim does not know anything, Bhaijaan. I know the reason for this fever.”

“What is it?”

“Till the time the cursed woman is alive…”

“Begum Sahiba, please mind your tongue. Whom are you referring to?”

Aurangzeb was aware of the hatred between the two sisters. He could see that Roshanara was visibly disturbed. He teased her saying, ‘If that be the case, why don’t you try some reverse voodoo magic?’

“On whom?”

“On the royal prisoner at Agra Fort?”

“Hai Allah! You mean Shah Jahan Badshah?”

“Why? Won’t your magic work on him?”

“Where’s the need for it? Aurangzeb, listen to me. It is a question of time; our father, if he remains imprisoned in the fort like an ordinary criminal, would die of heartbreak within no time.”

Aurangzeb knew Roshanara was speaking in riddles. He said, “Our father is enjoying the life of a Badshah within the four walls. He has all the luxuries not to mention the constant care provided by Jahanara. Dara’s daughter, his favourite granddaughter, Jahanzeb Banu too is his companion. Where is the opportunity for my father to lament about his conditions?”

“I have something to share with you. I am told he sits at a window watching his favourite Taj Mahal for hours together. I am convinced that is what is keeping him alive.”

“Is that so?”

“My advice is to seal the window which keeps alive the memory of Mumtaz Begum. I am confident he will wither away in no time once the sight is removed from him permanently.”

He watched his sister without saying anything. Noticing his silence Roshanara said, “Don’t you like my suggestion? Aurangzeb, please keep this in mind; till the time our father is alive in the Agra fort, you can never consider yourself as the Emperor in the true sense. Jahanara Begum is looking for every possible opportunity to rouse public opinion against you. You must be aware of the amount of dissent she managed to create when you executed the fakir Sarmad.”

It was a holiday on account of it being a Friday. Aurangzeb, along with their chief Kazi Abdul Wahab, a few key officials and Jaffar Khan sat in an office next to Moti Masjid. The Badshah supervised the arrangements of some of the key Amirs who were planning to make the pilgrimage to Haj.

Abdul Wahab, sensing an opportunity began, “The ulemas and maulvis are very happy to see you occupying the throne at Delhi.”

Aurangzeb was aware the Kazi wanted to suggest something else. He brushed aside the praise saying, “What’s so great about that? Someone else would have been ruling had it not been me. It could have been my elder brother, Dara, for that matter.” The Kazi, pondered for a moment and said, “But it is different when someone as devout as you takes charge.”

“I am not interested in small talk. Do you have any advice for my pilgrimage to the Haj?”

“The Quran says you need not go. The very fact that you are a Shehenshah and are spreading the word of Islam is equivalent to visiting the Haj ten times.”

“Does the Quran say that?”

The Kazi looked at one of the ulemas, who sat a little away reading the holy books. He said, ‘Yes, Huzoor. The Quran and the Hadis say that the job of the Emperor is to spread the word of Allah. He need not go for the pilgrimage.

“I am doing that in any case. What else did you want to say?”

“Huzoor, your father Shah Jahan and your brother Dara Shikoh were competing to do things against our religion. Allah has given you the opportunity to ascend the throne. We feel you should create some special rules for the Muslims in our country.”

“Please be specific.”

“Consuming alcohol or wine is prohibited as per Islam. We would want Badshah Salamat to issue strict orders against the same.”

“Huzoor the Hindus have built temples all over. We request the Jahanpanah to issue orders to destroy all of them.”

“Why?”

“Islam prohibits idol worship. The sounds of the temple bells are a disturbance to a pious Musalmaan.”

“Kazi Sahab, the Mughal throne has dealt with such issues in a different manner ever since the time of Shehenshah Akbar. Let the kafirs practise what they believe in and let the Muslims lead the way Islam suggests. Of course, we will not allow their practices to interfere with our administration.”

The kazi was not the one to give up easily. He said, puffing out his chest, “Huzoor, the world expects the common man to behave as per the rules of the Quran ever since you have come to power.”

Aurangzeb was tired of the discussions. He said, “If you need to issue firmaans to ensure that the common people behave as per the laws of Islam please go ahead. I will honour your firmaans.”

Kazi Abdul Wahab was overjoyed. He said, “Such an assurance is enough for me. I was sure the Badshah Salamat would encourage us to spread the word of Islam.”

“But please ensure one thing,’ Aurangzeb said, his eyes half closed in contemplation. ‘Let it be known that the rules you put forth for the common man apply to each and everyone equally. You know I offer my prayers along with the common people at the masjid. Islam does not differentiate between a Badshah and a fakir.”

The ulemas raised their hands up saying, “Qayamat! Wallah, kya baat hai!”

Aurangzeb smiled indulgently. He got up saying, “If there is nothing else, I would like to end this discussion.”