Deccan Policy of Aurangzeb

Aurangzeb spent about the last 25 years of his life fighting in the Deccan. The main aim of the Deccan wars was to conquer Bijapur and Golkonda. After the death of Aurangzeb in 1707 CE, the treasury became empty and further weakened the Empire.

The Deccan Policy of Aurangzeb was partly responsible for the downfall of the Mughal Empire.

Deccan Policy of Aurangzeb

Aurangzeb wanted to crush the power of the Marathas who had become the strong force under the leadership of Shivaji in the Deccan. This made Aurangzeb turn his attention towards the Deccan where he spent about 25 years of his reign. He found that the States of Bijapur and Golconda were the main source of support to Marathas. Bijapur was annexed to the Mughal Empire in 1686 CE.

They occupied important places of trust and authority in civil administration. So, Aurangzeb felt that the strength of Marathas can be weakened if those states were annexed.

Do you know, when did Aurangzeb annex Bijapur and Golkonda?

He annexed Bijapur in 1685 and Golconda in 1687. After the annexation of Bijapur and Golconda, Aurangzeb tried to crush the power of Marathas. Gradually, Marathas gathered a band of soldiers, they mastered the tactics of guerrilla warfare and began to baffle the local rulers at first and later on, the Mughals.

What do you think �Guerrilla warfare� was?

Guerrilla warfare is a form of irregular warfare in which war is fought by a small group of irregular soldiers against typically the larger regular force. In spite of repeated attacks, the Mughals could not succeed against the Marathas.

Aurangzeb did not try to make peace with the Marathas and continued with his policy. This led to the depletion of the royal treasury and the loss of a number of soldiers.

After a long struggle, he died at Aurangabad in 1707 CE. The Deccan policy of Aurangzeb proved to be his nemesis (a situation that is impossible to deal with).

Shivaji

Shivaji was a member of the Maratha clan. He built up a strong Maratha state which extended from Kalyan to Goa and he also included some parts of Karnataka and Mysore.

Questions

1. When did Aurangzeb die?
a) In 1710 CE
b) In 1700 CE
c) In 1702 CE
d) In 1707 CE

2. When did Bijapur annex by Aurangzeb?
a) In 1680 CE
b) In 1660 CE
c) In 1645 CE
d) In 1685 CE

3. Aurangzeb belonged to which clan?
a) Maratha
b) Lodhi
c) Tughlaq
d) Mughal

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