An interesting historical book by Audrey Truschke on the sixth Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir ( 1658-1707). In a post-Mughal era, history is written mainly by British colonials historians & portrayed Aurangzeb as the controversial figure of Mughal history. Only rulers who ruled over almost the entire Indian subcontinent for 49 years. It will not be wrong to call that period a peak of the Mughal empire.

Dr Audrey highlighted important events of Aurangzeb’s lifetime.
He was a young prince who became a rebel and fought with his siblings for the throne, ultimately claiming it by executing his brothers. As an emperor, outstanding administrator & generous giver & caretaker for his people. A warrior engaged in long and undecided wars against Maratha’s & Sikh rebels resulted in the Mughal empire’s weakening.

Some call him a Hindu hater, a genocidal bigot. Still, the reality is quite different from the myth adopted by Hindutva apologist of India & some secular elements of Pakistan. There were more Hindu nobles in Aurangzeb reign than Akbar 31.6 to 22.5. During Aurangzeb reign, the chief finance minister of the empire was a Hindu named Raghunatha.

He was an emperor like any other king or emperor of that era whose sole purpose was to keep his kingdom intact & stable. Kings/emperors can’t be categorised as good or bad, evil or pious their lives revolves around their kingdom’s stability.

Highly recommended book if you are interested in the history of the subcontinent.