The reign of Aurangzeb and the Marathas

Ascended throne in 1658.Mughal empire- single largest state India 2 parts of his reign

Early (1658-82) Later ( 1681-1707)1. Ahom ruler-Assam -Marathas ( after

Shivaji)2. Arakanese, Portuguese pirates( Chittagong port)3. Afghan tribes4. Jats(Agra-Delhi)5. Satnamis6. Bundelas defeated Mughals(Malwa)

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Early reign (1658-82)7. The Sikh Rebellion-Guru Tej Bahadur (9th Sikh Guru ) beheadedGuru Govind Singh-Khalsa Sikhs

Mughals

Guru Govind Singh

Banda Bahadur

Aurangzeb (rebellioncontinued after his

death)

8. The Rajput War(Marwar)Ajit Singh-Jaswant Singh’s

posthamous son not acknowledged by Aurangzeb

-Start of rebellion-He conquered Jodhpur, imposed Jaziya-Ruler of Mewar, Raj Singh, supported Ajit

Singh-Mewar was attacked-Prince Akbar joined the Rajputs. Later fled

to the Deccan.Peace treaty signed with Mewar.Ajit Singh recognized as independent ruler

by Aurangzeb’s son.

9. The Marathas(Deccan)Shivaji- born in1627Early Conquest-Sultan of Bijapur fell ill andusing guerilla warfare tactics, Shivaji conquered a number of hill forts, broughtchieftans under his control.

Defeat of Afzal KhanAfzal Khan sent by Sultan of Bijapur.Attempted to strangle Shivaji to death.Was killed. Sultan recognized Shivaji as the ruler.

Defeat of Shaista Khan (1663)Sent by AurangzebShivaji entered Pune with 400

soldiers.Killed Shaista Khan’s son-defeated

his armyShaista Khan escaped.Attacked Surat –looted it for 4 daysBlow to Mughal Empire.

Treaty of Purandhar (1665)Raja Jai Singh sent by Aurangzeb

to subdue Shivaji.Marathas besieged in urandhar

fortForced to sign Treaty of

Purandhar –had to surrender 23 forts to Mughals.

Shivaji at AgraMade to stand

with lower ranks of mansabdars.

Aurangzeb puts him under house arrest-Shivaji escapes to the Deccan.

Aurangzeb did not try to capture him

which was a wrong decision.

Shivaji’s coronation (1674)•crowned at Raigarh.•Assumed title of ‘Chhatrapati’•Doesn’t take approval of Mughal emperor.Southern conquestsCaptured forts of Vellore, Jinji from Bijapur and annexed a part of Mysore.

The Maratha KingdomKingdom stretched from Kalyan to Goa, parts of Karnataka and Mysore and lasted for 100 years after

his death.

Administration1. Revenue system-

Swarajya Mughalai(divided into 14 districts)

Chauth-1/4 of tax paid

to MughalsSardeshmukhi-1/10to ShivajiIf they refused,

territorieswere plundered.

Farmers had to pay

40 % as tax directly.

Political system

Shivaji

Peshwa (Head of Ashtapradhan)

Ashtapradhan (8 ministers)

Departments

Military systemArmy consisted of the cavalry,

artillery, infantry and navy.Guerrilla warfareDiscipline was ensured-safety of

women, children and elderly, poor people.

Respect to mosques and Koran

Estimate of Shivaji

In his 35 year reign, rose from being the son of a jagirdar to the position of Chhatrapati.

Religious toleranceCapable administratorAurangzeb’s later reign (1681-1707)After Shivaji’s death in 1680, Aurangzeb

tried to conquer Bijapur and Golconda.Went to Deccan in 1681, never returned to

the south.

Aurangzeb’s Deccan campaigns.

Bijapur(1686)and Golconda(1687)

Direct contact with the marathas

The Maratha war1689-sambhaji executedShahu and rest of family –imprisoned, Raja

Ram, his younger brother escapes1690- Mughal empire at it peakTarabai continues the maratha struggle.Aurangzeb refuses to negotiate with

marathas.Dies in 1707Estimate of Aurangzeb.•Devout Muslim•Sharp intellect•Did not practice religious tolerance•Suspicious by nature