Question

Explain in detail the reasons for the Deccan policy to be a failure

Answer 1

Explanation:

The Deccan policy of the Mughals was not determined by any single factor. The strategic importance of the Deccan states and the administrative and economic necessity of the Mughal empire largely guided the attitude of the Mughal rulers towards the Deccan states.

Aurangzeb was an advocate of direct conquest of the Deccan states. Immediately after his accession, he faced a very complicated situation in the Deccan. The growing power of the Marathas and the suspicious attitude of the Deccan states towards the Mughals made Aurangzeb much more careful to adopt aggressive policy in the Deccan. Aurangzeb's initial concern was to compel Bijapur and Golkonda to abide by the treaty of 1657 and to surrender those territories, which they agreed to cede to the Mughals in 1657.

Treaty of Purandar

Jai Singh, the Mughal noble, wanted to pursue the forward policy in the Deccan and to get support of the Marathas. In this mission, he made the Treaty of Purandar (1664) with Shivaji. Then Jai Singh made two abortive attempts to conquer Bijapour. The death of Ali Adil Shah, the accession of Sikander Adil, a minor, in 1672 and the court intrigues in Bijapur provided a favourable ground for Aurangzeb's intervention in Bijapur.