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Introduction Aurangzeb, Emperor Shah Jahan’s sixth child, was born on 24th October 1618 at Dohad in  Madhya Pradesh, and wrested India’s...

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1. Mughal Empire C. 1707 For a minute demarcation of the boundaries of  the different subas or provinces of the Empire, the  reader m...

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2. Prince Dara Shukoh translating the Upanishads. Prince Dara Shukoh, the eldest son of Emperor Shah Jahan, was like  his great ances...

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3. Captive Dara being paraded in Delhi Scene of Captive Dara being paraded in Delhi. (29th August 1659): The painting above, based ...

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4. Aurangzeb orders the execution of Sarmad. Aurangzeb orders the execution of Sarmad, a Jewish Philosopher who accepted  Islam but s...

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5. Dara Shukoh’s farcical trial and verdict Dara Shukoh’s farcical trial and verdict: Crown Prince Dara’s immense popularity and sy...

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6. Shah Jahan’s burial Procession. The above painting is based on a contemporary letter sent by the Amber State official Parkaldas...

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7. Shivaji leaving Aurangzeb’s Court in anger. Shivaji reached Agra on the 12th May 1666 by noon, and had to be rushed to the Cour...

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8. Even to look at a Temple is improper for a Musalman. Umurat-i-Hazur Kishwar-Kashai, Julus (R.Yr.) 9, Rabi II 24 / 13 October 1666...

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9. Hindus to be replaced by Musalmans. Hindu Chowkinavis and Amins of the Haft-chowkis to be replaced by the Musalmans.  Siyaha Akhba...

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10. Restriction on Atishbazi. Akhbarat-i-Darbar-i-Mu‘alla, Julus 10, Shawwal 24 / April 9th 1667. “The Emperor ordered Jumdat-ul-Mu...

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11. Large number of conversions by Faujdar, Bithur. Grant of saropas and cash sanctioned by Aurangzeb. Akhbarat-i-Darbar-i-Mu‘alla,...

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12. Muslims exempted from paying Zakat. Siyaha Akhbart-i-Darbar-i-Mu‘alla, Julus (R.Yr.) 10, Zilqada 2 / 16th April 1667. “A darves...

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13. Aurangzeb restoring the office of qanungoship to  Hindu officials who were forced to become Musalman. Qanungoship on becoming Mus...

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14. Qanungoship on becoming Musalman. Of the three Akhbarat of April 21st, April 22nd and May 4th 1667,  the first mentions t...

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15. Musalmans to replace Hindu officials. Musalmans to replace Hindu officials as cure for ineffectiveness of prayers.  Siyaha Waqai ...

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16. Demolition of Kalka Temple I. Siyah Waqa’i-Darbar, Regnal Year 10, Rabi I, 23 / 3 September 1667. “The asylum of Shariat (Shar...

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17. Demolition Of Kalka Temple, II. Siyah Akhbarat-i-Darbar-i-Mu‘alla, Julus 10, Rabi II, 3 / 12 September 1667. “Saiyad Faulad Kha...

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18. Restriction on the gathering of Hindus. Restriction on the gathering of Hindus at the shrines of Shitla Mata  and Pir Pabuji. Mus...

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19. General Order for the destruction of Temples. 9th April 1669 “The Lord Cherisher of the Faith learnt that in  the provinces of ...

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20. General Order for the demolition of Hindu Temples. On the 9th April 1669, Aurangzeb “eager to establish Islam, issued orders  to ...

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21. Demolition of Somnath Temple. About the time the general order for destruction of Hindu Temples was issued (9th April 1669...

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22. Demolition of the Temple of Vishwanath. Demolition of the Temple of Vishwanath (Banaras). August 1669 A.D. It was reported that...

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23. Demolition of the Dehura of Keshava Rai in Mathura “During this month of Ramzan (1080 A.H./January-February 1670) …  the Em...

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24. Demolition of Keshava Rai Temple at Mathura. 13th January - 11th February 1670 The great Temple of Keshava Rai at Mathura was b...

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25. Maharana Raj Singh formally receiving the Idol of Shrinathji. Aurangzeb’s Temple breaking spree was  in full swing after his gen...

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26. Martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Martyrdom of the 9th Sikh Guru Tegh Bahadur & his three followers at  Chandni Chowk, Delhi...

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27. Reimposition of Jizyah by Aurangzeb. 2nd April 1679 ‘As all the aims of the religious Emperor were directed to the spreadi...

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28. Hindus forced to suffer humiliation in paying the Jizyah tax. On 2nd April 1679, Aurangzeb re-imposed Jizayah upon the Hindus wh...

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29. Burial of Music. In 1665 and in subsequent years also Aurangzeb issued a number of orders to enforce the rules in confirmity with...

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30. Idols to be cast under the steps of Jam'a Masjid. Aurangzeb orders cart-loads of idols brought from Jodhpur to be cast under ...