Jahangir to Aurangzeb (1605–1707)

Jahangir to Aurangzeb (1605–1707)

Jahangir (1605–1627)

• Salim, son of Akbar, came to the throne after Akbar died in 1605.

• He issued 12 ordinances.

• Known for strict administration of justice:

  • Established Zanjir-i-Adal (Chain of Justice) at Agra Fort for seekers of royal justice.

Marriage and Nurjahan's Role

• In 1611, they married Mihar-un-nisa, widow of Sher Afghan (a Persian nobleman of Bengal).

  • She was later named Nurjahan.

  • She exercised tremendous influence over state affairs.

  • Made the official Padshah Begum.

  • Joint coins were issued in both Nurjahan's and Jahangir’s names

Other Marriages

• Also married Manmati / Jagat Gosai / Jodha Bai of Marwar and a Kachhwaha princess.

English Visitors to His Court

• 1608: Captain William Hawkins (East India Company) – received a mansab of 400.

• 1615: Sir Thomas Roe, ambassador of King James I of England:

  • Initially resisted.

  • Later granted permission to establish a trading port at Surat.

Political Achievements

• Submission of Rana Amar Singh of Mewar (1615).

• Captured Kangara Fort (1620).

• Annexed part of Ahmadnagar.

  • Malik Amber ceded Balaghat (Maharashtra) back to the Mughals.

Revolts

• 1605: Son Khusrau (supported by Guru Arjun Dev) revolted.

  • 1606: Guru Arjun Dev was executed.

• Later revolts by:

  • Khurram (Shahjahan) (1622–25).

  • Mahavat Khan, military general (1626–27).

Other Facts

• Wrote memoirs: Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri (in Persian).

• Buried in Lahore.

Shahjahan (1628–1658)

• Mother: Jagat Gosai / Jodha Bai (daughter of Raja Jagat Singh).

• Ascended the throne in 1628 after their father’s death.

Early Challenges

• Revolts in:

  • Bundelkhand: Jujhar Singh Bundela of Orchha (1628–35).

  • Deccan: Khan-i-Jahan Lodhi (1629–31).

Personal Life

• 1631: Death of beloved wife Mumtaj Mahal (Arzumand Bano).

  • Built the Taj Mahal (1632–53) in her memory.

Military Campaigns

• 1631–32: Defeated the Portuguese.

• 1633: Annexed Nizam Shahi dynasty of Ahmadnagar.

• 1636: Bijapur and Golconda accepted Mughal suzerainty.

• 1647: Sent army to Balkh for the defense of NW India.

• 1638: Recovered Kandhar from Iranians.

  • 1647: Lost Kandhar again despite 3 campaigns (Murad, Aurangzeb, Dara).

Descriptions by Foreign Travellers

• Bernier, Tavernier (French), Nicoli Manucci (Italian).

• Peter Mundi described the famine during his reign.

Cultural Legacy

• The peak of Mughal architecture:

  • Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Jama Masjid.

• Promotion of art, culture, and architecture.

War of Succession (1657–1659)

• Shahjahan’s illness triggered war among his sons:

  • War of Bahadurpur (Feb 1658): Dara vs Shah Shuja.

  • War of Dharmat (Apr 1658): Dara vs Aurangzeb–Murad.

  • War of Samugarh (May 1658): Dara vs Aurangzeb–Murad.

  • War of Khajua (Dec 1658): Aurangzeb vs Shah Shuja.

  • War of Deorai (Mar 1659): Aurangzeb vs Dara.

• Aurangzeb won and imprisoned Shahjahan in Agra Fort (died in 1666).

  • Buried at the Taj Mahal (Agra).

Aurangzeb (1658–1707)

• Defeated Dara in:

  • Dharmat (1658).

  • Samugarh (1658) – Decisive.

  • Deorai (1659) – Final battle.

• Crowned at Delhi as Alamgir.

Revolts During His Reign

North India (1658–81)

• Jat (1669): Gokula, Rajaram, Churamani – Agrarian policy.

• Bundela (1671): Champat Rai, Chhatrasal – Political/religious.

• Satnami (1673): Satnami Sect followers – Religious suppression.

• Sikh (1675): Guru Teg Bahadur, Guru Gobind Singh – Religious.

• Rajput–Marwar (1678): Durgadas (Ajit Singh’s general) – Succession dispute.

South India (1682–1707)

• Bijapur Annexation (1686): Sikandar Adil Shah – Treaty violation.

• Golconda Annexation (1687): Abul Hasan Kutub Shah – Maratha alliance.

• Mughal–Maratha Struggle (1689 onwards):

  • Sambhaji, Rajaram, Tarabai – Rise of Maratha nationalism.

Maratha Resistance

• Left North in 1682, spent 25 years (till 1707) fighting Marathas.

• Shivaji:

  • Failed assassination plan with Jai Singh (1665).

  • Imprisoned by Aurangzeb but escaped.

  • 1674: Declared himself an independent monarch.

  • Died in 1680, and was succeeded by Sambhaji (executed in 1689).

  • Then ruled by Rajaram, followed by widow Tarabai.

Sikh Resistance

• 1675: Executed Guru Teg Bahadur.

• His son, Guru Gobind Singh, formed Khalsa.

• 1708: Guru Gobind Singh was assassinated at Nander (Deccan).

• Banda Bahadur (originally Lachhman Dev → Madho Das) continued Sikh resistance.

Religious Policies – Key Years

• 1659: Banned Kalama on coins, Nauroj Festival, appointed moral regulator.

• 1663: Banned Sati.

• 1668: Banned Hindu festivals.

• 1669: Banned Jharokha darshan, court music.

• 1670: Banned Tuladan (emperor weighing).

• 1679: Re-introduced Jaziya tax.

Other Information

• Died in 1707, buried at Khuldabad (Daulatabad).

• Known as Zinda Pir (Living Saint).

• Hindu Mansabdars remained in high proportion under his rule.

Decline of the Mughal Empire

Reasons

1. Rajput, Deccan, and religious policies of Aurangzeb.

2. Weak successors (poor generals and administrators).

3. Wars of succession.

4. Factionalism among the nobility.

5. Jagirdari crisis.

6. Rise of regional powers: Marathas, Bengal, Hyderabad, Avadh, Mysore, etc.

7. Foreign invasions: Nadir Shah (1739), Abdali.

8. British conquest.

Final Thoughts

The period from Jahangir to Aurangzeb (1605–1707) reflects the Mughal Empire at its most powerful—and most vulnerable. 

Jahangir’s focus on justice, Shahjahan’s architectural legacy, and Aurangzeb’s territorial ambitions highlight the empire's glory. Yet, beneath this grandeur were deep-rooted issues: constant wars, religious conflicts, and succession struggles.

Though this era showcased unmatched cultural and political achievements, it also exposed the cracks that would later lead to the empire's decline. Still, the legacy of these emperors—through monuments, policies, and historical lessons—continues to shape our understanding of India's past.