The reign of Aurangzeb is associated with the beginning of the decline of the Great Mughals. This is a Muslim dynasty that ruled part of the Indian subcontinent from the 16th to the 19th centuries. The founder, Babur, was a descendant of Tamerlane on his father's side and Genghis Khan on his mother's. They called themselves Timurids, and in Europe they were known as "Mughals". A vivid image of this fateful ruler appears in the book of Francois Bernier, a French physician at the court of Aurangzeb, also known as Alamgir I.
In the preface to the Russian edition of the "History of the Last Political Upheavals in the State of the Great Mughal" it is noted that Bernier in his book for the first time showed the fundamental difference between the social system of not only India, but also other Eastern countries from the European order. At the same time, the French author does not forget to remind the reader: "... I speak approximately, since it is impossible to know and convey such speeches word for word without adding something of your own."
Bernier recounts the harsh refusal Aurangzeb gave his former teacher. He came to court expecting a high position after his student's accession to the throne. The emperor ignored him for a long time, and then voiced all his complaints. He accused the mullah of the uselessness of his education. The main reproach was that the teacher did not prepare Aurangzeb for the real struggle for power, without teaching him military affairs and the art of governance.
"He pretended that he had no ambitions for the throne, but only dreamed of a quiet life, prayer and pious deeds. At the same time, he tirelessly intrigued at court, especially after he was appointed Viceroy of the Deccan. But he did it very cleverly, almost unnoticed," writes the French author. Aurangzeb's elder brother sometimes told his friends: "Of all my brothers, I fear only this saint."
The one whose name translates as "Ornament of the Throne" came to power through cunning and lack of pity. Teaming up with his younger brother, he defeated the army of his elder brother, the legitimate heir, and then dealt with his allies. The new emperor overthrew his father, Shah Jahan, and imprisoned him in a fortress. Several rooms were allocated for the former ruler, from whose windows the Taj Mahal, the mausoleum of his beloved wife, was visible.
The imposition of Islam became the force behind one of Aurangzeb's fatal mistakes, which led to rebellions in individual provinces. The religious life of Hindustan also demonstrated other contradictory aspects. The Portuguese, settled by the king of Arakan in Chittagong to protect against the Mughals, attacked settlements and captured people as slaves. The captives were ransomed by their relatives, or they were kept as oarsmen and sold to other colonies. Cynically hiding from the criticism of the Church, the adventurers called the slave trade a way to convert more people to Christianity than the missionaries managed.
Exiles and deserters from the Portuguese colonies in Goa and Malacca were the reason why Shah Jahan began to persecute Christians. These same bandits had been a nuisance to Aurangzeb in Bengal for many years, forcing him to keep a large guard at all the crossings, a land army and a small fleet of galleasses to combat slave raids. "The powerful Mughal commander Shaista Khan, who played a key role under Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb, put an end to this scum," writes Bernier.
When the French author left Delhi, he learned of Shah Jahan's death: "Aurangzeb, they say, was greatly moved by this and showed all the signs of grief that only a son can show on the death of his father; at the same hour he set out for Agra." Under the Mughal padishah, known as Alamgir I (from Persian - "Conqueror of the Universe"), the empire reached its greatest size and power. However, his power was fragile: Aurangzeb spent the rest of his life in endless campaigns, suppressing rebellions and besieging fortresses, trying to maintain the illusory unity of the country.
"Before condemning him, I beg you to reflect on the unfortunate custom of this state, according to which the succession to the crown remains uncertain...", Bernier concludes. With this phrase he concludes the tragic image of Aurangzeb, who in his book, at least in our days, acquires an aura of artistic romanticism: "Whoever reflects will not find his behavior so astonishing and will see in him not a barbarian, but a great and rare genius, politician and sovereign."
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Public Domain