According to the historical analysis by Munis D. Faruqui, what was the primary motivation behind the early hagiographies written after Aurangzeb's death?

To create an unfavorable comparison between Bahadur Shah I and his father

To record the administrative successes of the Mughal Empire

To provide a neutral account of the transition of power

To document the religious piety of the emperor for future generations

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12 July 2026

Munis D. Faruqui on Aurangzeb

This historiographical analysis provides nuanced context for understanding medieval Indian history and the evolution of communal narratives, which is useful for framing answers in GS1 but is not a direct exam topic.

Notes

Munis D. Faruqui's work 'Aurangzeb ‘Alamgir and the Mughal Empire' challenges the monolithic perception of Aurangzeb as a religious bigot.
Aurangzeb's governance was characterized by a legalistic approach, attempting to apply Islam-inspired solutions to political, social, and financial challenges.
Historical evidence suggests Aurangzeb did not force non-Muslim subjects to convert, recognizing that such actions would undermine imperial stability.
Aurangzeb initially offered conversion to non-Muslim prisoners of war but abandoned the practice upon realizing it failed to ensure political loyalty.
The negative historiography of Aurangzeb originated from post-death hagiographies created by political factions seeking to discredit his successor, Bahadur Shah I.
The narrative of Aurangzeb as a religious persecutor was later adopted by downwardly mobile Muslim communities to assert identity and by anti-Muslim ideologues to highlight Mughal excesses.
Conflicts between the Mughal Empire and groups like the Sikhs or Rajputs were primarily driven by rejections of Mughal political authority rather than purely religious malice.
Historical analysis of the period requires distinguishing between imperial political acts and religious interpretations of those acts.

Questions

How do historical narratives and hagiographies shape the contemporary public perception of medieval rulers? Discuss with reference to the historiographical challenges in evaluating the Mughal period. 150 words

Attempt this — 150 words in 8 min

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The interpretation of medieval Indian history often conflates political consolidation with religious persecution. Critically analyze this tension, examining how imperial authority was exercised and perceived by diverse social groups during the Mughal era. 250 words

Attempt this — 250 words in 11 min

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Prelims

According to the historical analysis by Munis D. Faruqui, what was the primary motivation behind the early hagiographies written after Aurangzeb's death?

Syllabus

Topics

Sources

‘Aurangzeb never forced Non-Muslim subjects to convert’

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