Recently, Aurangzeb’s name has turned into a centre of all discussions with historians, and politicians fighting off to remove his name as an honorable road in Delhi. There are some facts that many people didn’t know about him yet.
- First rockets in India: With his zeal to expand the reign and bring in latest technology to boost his military action, canon production in India reached its peak. His military used rockets in their siege of Bidar, the first use of rockets in India.
- Hindu employees: Number of Hindus employed by the Emperor’s administration in Mughal history, is the highest during Aurangzeb’s reign.
- Fiercest army: His army was the fiercest in the world. He ruined all plans by British Army to enter and invade India, in their first attempt, teaching them a hard lesson. They (Britain), had to compensate Aurangzeb.
- Non-frivolous spender: He never believed in spending royal money for frivolous expenditure, thus never built any monuments. During his reign, he only got build the Moti Masjid, two outer defense walls of Red Fort in Delhi, and the Bibi ka maqbara in Aurangabad.
- Studious: Aurangzeb was hugely into academics and religious education. His daily allowance was INR 500/- which he spent on educating himself more.
- Moral seeker: Under his reign, censors were appointed to enforce morals, and laws were issued against prostitution, gambling, drinking, and narcotics.
- Manipulative personality: He was the brilliant manipulator, who knew how to stage-manage outside the battlefield, whether corrupting individuals or stoking egos; to make his battle plans all the more effective.
- Great ruler: He was touted as the smartest, as unlike his ancestors, the Mughal Empire under him grew up to leaps and bounds in land area and revenue.
- Golden bird: During his regime nation was richest in the world.
- Bloodline: He is not the only name in the history of Mughal Empire to fight off his father in order to unrightfully to become the ultimate ruler of India. Jahangir, his grandfather too revolted his great-grand father Akbar to become the heir to throne, unlike latter’s wish. Akbar in his will passed on the honor to his grandson and Jahangir’s eldest son, Prince Khusrau, who was kept in prison and blinded by his own father and later was killed by brother Shah Jahan.