Aurangzeb religious policy in medieval india
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Religious Policy
At the beginning of his reign, Aurangzeb prohibited the kalma being inscribed on coins, as it trampled underfoot or be defiled while passing from one hand to another.
Aurangzeb banned the festival of Nauroz, as it was considered as Zoroastrian practice favored by the Safavid rulers of Iran.
Aurangzeb appointed Muhtasibs in all the provinces. Their major work was to see that people lived their lives in accordance with the shara.
Muhtasibs were responsible for ensuring that the things, which were forbidden (such as intoxicants and gambling dens, etc) by the shara and the zawabits (secular decrees) were, as far as possible, not disobeyed openly.
While appointing Muhtasibs, though, Aurangzeb emphasized that the state was also responsible for the moral welfare of the citizens. But these officials were instructed not to interfere in the private lives of citizens.
In 1669, Aurangzeb took a number of measures, which have been called puritanical, but many of them were of an economic and social character, and against superstitious beliefs. Likewise, he prohibited singing in the court and the official musicians were pensioned off. The instrumental music and naubat (the royal band) were, however, continued.
Singing also continued to be patronized by the ladies in the harem, and also by individual nobles. It is interesting to note that the largest number of Persian works on classical Indian music were written during Aurangzeb's reign. Aurangzeb himself was proficient in playing the Veena.
Aurangzeb withdrawn the practice of jharoka darshan or showing himself to the public from the balcony (initiated by Akbar). He considered it a superstitious practice and against Islam.
Aurangzeb banned the ceremony of weighing the emperor against gold and silver and other articles on his birthdays. However, because of majority of social demand, Aurangzeb had to permit this ceremony for his sons when they recovered from illness.
Aurangzeb prohibited astrologers from preparing almanacs. But the order was disobeyed by everybody including members of the royal family.
Aurangzeb was a fanatic and staunch Muslim. According to scholars he wanted to convert India Dar-ul-Harb ( land of non-Muslims) into Dar-ul-Islam. He destroyed various temples and banned Hindu festivals like Diwali and Holi in his Court. He also Imposed Jaziya tax on Non-Muslims. It is also said that he forcefully converted people into Islam.
He banned the nauroz festival as it was un-Islamic. He appointed Muhatasibs i.e muslims religious teachers to see that the Muslims fallow teachings of Islam.He was also against the Shia Muslims. The Religious policy of Aurangzeb has considered as a major cause of downfall of Mughal Empire.
About the religious policy of Aurangzeb Lane-Poole writes, “For the first time in their history, the Mughals beheld a rigid Muslim in their emperor—a Muslim as sternly repressible of himself as of his people around him, a king who was prepared to stake his throne for sake of his faith.
But there are various scholars and historians who refute the above theory that Aurangzeb was fanatic and consider him a secular ruler. They defend the argument by showing the evidences that largest number of non- Muslim nobles and mansabdars work in his court. Besides he gave land grants to temples.