Was Aurangzeb responsible for the decline of the Mughal Empire?

Answer 1

Aurangzeb was a determined ruler and a strict Muslim. His main ambition was to gain more land and was to expand his rule all over India. To achieve his goals Aurangzeb believed it necessary and right to use any means.

Aurangzeb extended the Mughal empire to include all but the very southern part of India. He accomplished this by fighting long and costly wars. The heavy taxes known to be 'Jizya Tax' was paid for the army, for the defense and protection was a great hardship for his people. As he was frequently away from his capital, the grip on his government weakened. Th policies, however the civil service deteriorated as corruption grew. As he conquered vast area of India, he was having trouble governing the empire: simply keeping contact with every part of it was a daunting problem. Soon the revolts from Sikhs and marathas threatened this empire. So the empire had weakness which , after the death of Aurangzeb, caused the decline of the Mughal empire.

Yes, the policies of Aurangzeb led to the decline of the Mughal Empire. Aurangzeb undid all the good work done by the rulers before him through his discrimination against Hindus and his unfair treatment of the raj puts with whom Akbar had previously strengthened bonds.He reintroduced the jizya tax that Akbar had already abolished.

But keeping in mind Aurangzeb had already remitted a large number of Taxes, appointed on the whole empire.He had no hesitation in appointing Hindu advisers and there are records of Aurangzeb having made donations to Hindu temples.