A new book written by Syed Dawood Ashraf, retired Research Officer, State Archives, throws a fresh light on the Mughal ruler bringing out hitherto unknown facets of his personality. The book “Administration of the Deccan during Aurangzeb's Reign” is unique in that it is based entirely on archival records.
Book throws new light on Aurangzeb's reign
Mahadev Bhat, a Brahmin of Jalna, sent a petition to the Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb, requesting that he and his family members be allowed to worship the idol of Ganesha without any hindrance. The local officials, it appeared, were obstructing the worship.
On receipt of the petition, Aurangzeb promptly issued a ‘farman' directing the officials not to interfere with private affairs of the petitioner. They were further asked not to inconvenience Bhat and his family members.
Sounds incredible, considering the widely held view of Aurangzeb being a religious bigot, one who discriminated against the Hindus. But a farman of Aurangzeb dated June 28, 1687, available in the A.P. State Achieves and Research Institute tells a different story.
Unique effort
A new book written by Syed Dawood Ashraf, retired Research Officer, State Archives, throws a fresh light on the Mughal ruler bringing out hitherto unknown facets of his personality. The book “Administration of the Deccan during Aurangzeb's Reign” is unique in that it is based entirely on archival records.
Dr. Ashraf has made use of the 1.5 lakh Persian documents of Aurangzeb period from the State Archives besides 15,000 documents from the National Archives, Delhi, and several unpublished contemporary Persian manuscripts. Dr. Ashraf recalls another incident to show how Aurangzeb meted out immediate punishment on the proposal of Hindu subedars to even high ranking Muslim ‘mansabdars'.
Sarfraz Khan, a mansabdar who commanded a garrison of 4,000 soldiers, was asked to accompany Raja Jai Singh, the Deccan subedar, for a military campaign during 1665-67. But Khan did not comply with the orders. On recommendation of the subedar, Aurangzeb ordered reduction in his rank.
“This shows that administrative decision were taken not on religious or any other irrelevant consideration but purely on grounds of good governance,” points out Dr. Ashraf.
The 287-page book is full of such incidents to illustrate how effective administration was given priority. The book makes a valuable contribution in understanding the administrative, revenue and army matters of Aurangzeb, all supported by documents.
Courtesy:
(Wajahat Ahmed Khan is the great-grandson of Nawab Tipu Khan Bahadur. He has been actively vocal about the neglect of Tipu Khan Bridge, Tipu Khan Sarai, Tipu's Dwar and Tipu's LookOut. Nawab Tipu Khan Bahadur was a legendary Horseman and teacher of Horsemanship to the Nizam VI and Nizam VII. The tradition of Equestrianism continues in Wajahat Ahmed Khan, is involved in Equestrian sports. Wajahat Ahmed Khan is a trustee/ caretaker of Waqf-properties endowed by Late Nawab Tipu Khan Bahadur sahab— including Mosques and other religious properties .
Wajahat Ahmed Khan has publicly appealed for preservation of the heritage institutions built by his ancestor (Sarai, bridge, mosques), emphasising their historical and social value to Hyderabad.)
