Conquests of Aurangzeb in the Northwest

Introduction

Aurangzeb, the sixth Mughal emperor, was a ruler whose reign was marked by relentless military campaigns and expansionist policies. After consolidating power in the eastern regions of the empire, he turned his attention to the northwest frontier, an area historically prone to rebellion and unrest. His campaigns in this region, along with his conflicts with the Sikhs and the Marathas, defined much of his reign and had long-lasting repercussions for the Mughal Empire.

Rebellions in the Northwest

The northwest frontier was a volatile region, inhabited by fiercely independent tribes. In 1667, Bhaku, a leader of the Yusafzai tribe, rose in rebellion against Mughal authority. Though this revolt was quelled, peace was short-lived. By 1672, a coalition of tribes once again challenged Mughal rule. The governor of Kabul attempted to suppress the uprising but suffered defeat, forcing Aurangzeb to personally intervene.

Aurangzeb directed operations in the troubled area for nearly a year, employing both military force and diplomacy. Eventually, order was restored, and Mughal-Afghan relations underwent a transformation. His efforts established a fragile peace along the frontier, though the region remained a constant source of tension throughout his reign.

Aurangzeb and the Sikhs

Aurangzeb’s relationship with the Sikhs was one of the most contentious aspects of his rule. Initially, the Mughals and Sikhs had enjoyed cordial relations. Sikhism, founded by Guru Nanak, was seen as a bridge between Hinduism and Islam. Emperor Akbar himself had visited the third Sikh Guru and granted land for the construction of the Golden Temple at Amritsar.

However, tensions grew during Jahangir’s reign and escalated under Aurangzeb. The Sikhs began organizing themselves into a military force, resisting Mughal authority. The ninth Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur, asserted his independence and collected tributes from local populations. He was eventually captured, brought to Delhi, and executed on Aurangzeb’s orders.

The growing strength of the Sikhs alarmed the Hindu rajas of the Punjab Hills, who sought Aurangzeb’s assistance. Mughal forces attacked the Sikh stronghold at Anandpur, defeating the Guru’s followers. Though Aurangzeb temporarily subdued the Sikhs, their resistance laid the foundation for their emergence as a powerful military community in Punjab, which would later challenge Mughal dominance.

Aurangzeb and the Marathas

Aurangzeb’s greatest challenge came from the Marathas in the Deccan. The region had not been fully integrated into Mughal rule, and Hindu officials held significant positions in its administration. This allowed the Marathas to exploit conflicts between the Mughals and the Deccan sultanates of Ahmadnagar, Golconda, and Bijapur.

Under the leadership of Shivaji, the Marathas became a formidable force. Aurangzeb dispatched several generals, including Shaista Khan, Dilir Khan, and Mirza Raja Jai Singh, as well as his son Prince Muazzam, to suppress Shivaji. Despite repeated confrontations, Shivaji managed to evade defeat and continued to resist Mughal authority until his death in 1680.

His son Shambhuji carried on the struggle but was notorious for his cruelty, particularly his atrocities against Muslims in Burhanpur. Aurangzeb responded decisively, moving to the Deccan in 1682, where he spent the last twenty-five years of his life. He annexed Bijapur (1686) and Golconda (1687), both of which had sheltered Maratha raiders. Shambhuji was captured and executed in 1689, but the Maratha resistance persisted. After Aurangzeb’s death in 1707, the Marathas rose to prominence, becoming a major factor in the Mughal Empire’s decline.

Conclusion

Aurangzeb Conquests in the Northwest, his suppression of the Sikhs, and his prolonged struggle with the Marathas highlight both his strengths and weaknesses as a ruler. His relentless expansion widened the boundaries of the Mughal Empire to their greatest extent, but the cost was immense—draining the treasury, exhausting the army, and alienating large sections of his subjects. While his achievements were remarkable, his policies ultimately sowed the seeds of decline, leaving behind an empire weakened and vulnerable to fragmentation.