Emperor Aurangzeb
Emperor Aurangzeb was a Mughal emperor who ruled India from 1658 to 1707. He was known for his strict rule and his love for killing off his own family members. Some praised him for his piety, while others criticized him for his hypocrisy.
Early Life
Aurangzeb was born in November 1618 in Dahod, Gujarat, to the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Despite having many siblings, Aurangzeb was always the black sheep of the family. He was a quiet child who loved to read and had his nose stuck in books all the time. However, as he grew older, he developed an obsession for power and started plotting against his siblings.
Rise to Power
In 1658, Aurangzeb was successful in overthrowing his own father and became the emperor of India. He immediately sent his father to prison, where he spent the rest of his life. Aurangzeb was known for his strict rule and was a stickler for following the rules. He banned music, dancing, and drinking, which made him very unpopular with the locals.
Legacy
Aurangzeb is known for his hatred of non-Muslims, specifically Hindus. He destroyed many Hindu temples and forced conversions among the population. He was also famous for his love of family feuds and famously killed three of his brothers and imprisoned his own son.
Despite being known for his cruelty, Aurangzeb also had a soft spot for gardening. In fact, he spent most of his free time tending to his garden, which he called the “Garden of Death”. It was said that he loved to sit among his plants and envision ways to kill off his enemies.
Death
Aurangzeb died in 1707, at the age of 88. It is said that when he died, his few remaining family members celebrated with a raucous party, complete with music, dancing, and drinking, all of which were banned during his reign.
In conclusion, Emperor Aurangzeb was a complicated and controversial figure in Indian history. His rule may have been strict, but his love for gardening showed that he had a soft side too. Whether he was a hero or a villain is up for debate, but one thing is for sure, he sure knew how to keep the family drama going!