Rebellions during Aurangzeb’s reign

The reign of Emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir (1658–1707), the sixth Mughal ruler, was marked by a series of large-scale rebellions and uprisings that challenged his authority across the Indian subcontinent. While Aurangzeb expanded the Mughal Empire to its greatest territorial extent, his long rule was also characterised by internal strife, religious discontent, and persistent resistance from both regional powers and peasant movements. These revolts strained the empire’s resources and ultimately contributed to the gradual decline of Mughal authority after his death.

Background and Causes of Rebellions

Aurangzeb’s reign followed a period of relative stability under his predecessors, Shah Jahan and Akbar, yet his policies diverged sharply from their inclusive approach. Several factors contributed to the emergence of rebellions during his rule:

• Religious Orthodoxy: Aurangzeb’s imposition of Islamic law (Sharia), reimposition of the Jizya tax on non-Muslims, and destruction of some Hindu temples alienated large segments of the Hindu population.
• Centralisation of Power: His attempts to tighten imperial control over regional rulers and zamindars led to widespread resentment.
• Economic Strain: Continuous warfare, especially in the Deccan, imposed heavy taxation and military burdens on the population.
• Succession Conflicts and Ambitious Nobles: Discontented nobles and former allies often rebelled against his strict administrative and religious policies.

These combined political, religious, and economic pressures created fertile ground for a series of revolts across northern and southern India.

The Maratha Rebellion

The Maratha uprising in western India was the most formidable and enduring challenge to Aurangzeb’s authority. It began under Shivaji Bhonsle, who established a powerful independent kingdom in the Deccan. Despite Aurangzeb’s early attempts to suppress him, Shivaji successfully resisted Mughal advances and was crowned Chhatrapati in 1674.
After Shivaji’s death in 1680, his son Sambhaji continued resistance against the Mughals. Aurangzeb personally led a prolonged campaign in the Deccan (1681–1707), seeking to subdue the Marathas. Although the emperor captured Sambhaji in 1689 and executed him, the movement did not collapse. Instead, Maratha guerrilla warfare intensified under Rajaram and Tara Bai, turning the Deccan into a continuous battlefield.
Aurangzeb’s military campaign in the Deccan drained the empire’s treasury, exhausted its army, and kept the emperor engaged in warfare until his death. The Maratha resistance ultimately survived and later expanded into northern India after the Mughal decline.

The Jat Rebellion

The Jat uprising took place in the region of Mathura and Agra, primarily between 1669 and 1689. The Jats, a peasant community, revolted against excessive taxation and religious persecution. The first phase of rebellion was led by Gokula, who resisted Mughal officials and attacked imperial posts. Though Gokula was captured and executed, the Jats rose again under Raja Ram and later Churaman.
By exploiting the Mughal preoccupation with the Deccan wars, the Jats gradually consolidated power and established a semi-independent territory around Bharatpur. This rebellion signified a strong peasant resistance movement rooted in local grievances, marking the beginning of the Jat state which would later emerge as a regional power in northern India.

The Satnami Rebellion

In 1672, the Satnami sect, composed largely of peasants and low-caste Hindus, launched a rebellion near Narnaul in present-day Haryana. The movement began as a local dispute but soon expanded into open defiance against Mughal authority. The Satnamis, motivated by religious and social grievances, managed to defeat a Mughal force sent against them, but were ultimately crushed by Aurangzeb’s army.
The Satnami revolt demonstrated the widespread dissatisfaction among the agrarian and lower social classes under Aurangzeb’s taxation and administrative pressures. Though short-lived, it exposed the growing gap between the ruling elite and the common populace.

The Sikh Rebellions

Aurangzeb’s policies towards the Sikhs also led to sustained resistance in Punjab. The execution of Guru Tegh Bahadur in 1675 for refusing to convert to Islam deeply angered the Sikh community. His son, Guru Gobind Singh, transformed the Sikhs into a militarised order known as the Khalsa in 1699, which marked the beginning of the community’s armed opposition to Mughal rule.
Guru Gobind Singh’s confrontations with the Mughals and allied hill chiefs turned Punjab into a turbulent region. Even after his death, the Sikh resistance continued under Banda Singh Bahadur, who led a major revolt in the early eighteenth century. The Sikh movement, initially spiritual, evolved into a political and military force in direct response to Aurangzeb’s religious intolerance.

The Rajput Rebellion

Aurangzeb’s relationship with the Rajputs—once strong allies of the Mughals—deteriorated due to his interference in Rajput succession and administrative affairs. The crisis began in 1679 when Aurangzeb attempted to annex Marwar after the death of Raja Jaswant Singh, denying the throne to his minor heir. This led to a fierce rebellion led by Durgadas Rathore, who resisted Mughal forces and protected the royal family.
The Rajput rebellion also drew support from Mewar, whose ruler Rana Raj Singh opposed Aurangzeb’s expansionist policies. Despite prolonged warfare, the Mughals failed to subdue the Rajput states completely. Eventually, Aurangzeb was forced to restore their territories, signalling a decline in imperial authority over these warrior clans.

The Afghan and Deccan Uprisings

Aurangzeb also faced disturbances on the north-western frontier and in the Deccan region. The Afghan tribes along the frontier rose in revolt in 1672 under Bhagu and Aimal Khan, who resisted Mughal taxation and authority. In the south, the emperor’s campaigns against the Bijapur and Golconda sultanates initially succeeded but provoked widespread resentment among local populations. These Deccan wars extended over decades, leaving the region politically unstable and economically exhausted.

Impact and Significance of the Rebellions

The rebellions during Aurangzeb’s reign had profound consequences for the Mughal Empire. Prolonged warfare drained imperial finances and overextended military resources. The emperor’s rigid religious policies alienated influential groups—Hindus, Sikhs, and even some Muslim nobles—undermining the integrative foundation built by earlier rulers such as Akbar.
Aurangzeb’s inability to reconcile central authority with regional aspirations led to fragmentation of imperial power. Many regions that rebelled during his reign—such as the Maratha, Jat, Sikh, and Rajput territories—eventually evolved into independent or semi-autonomous states in the post-Mughal period.