History of South America

Why was Aurangzeb alamgir unpopular?

Religious policies:

- Aurangzeb imposed a jizya (religious tax) on non-Muslims, which was seen as oppressive and discriminatory by many of his subjects.

- He destroyed Hindu temples and built mosques in their place, angering many Hindus.

- He banned music, dance, and other forms of entertainment that were considered un-Islamic, alienating many of his subjects.

-He tried to impose Islamic laws on Hindus, which created a great deal of resentment.

Economic policies:

- Aurangzeb's economic policies were also unpopular, as he increased taxes and tariffs on goods, which made life difficult for many people.

- He also introduced a number of new taxes, such as the ghalla-bakshi (grain tax) and the mirbakshi (military tax), which further burdened his subjects.

-His aggressive military campaigns also drained the empire's resources, leading to economic instability and inflation.

Military failures:

- Aurangzeb's military campaigns against the Marathas, Ahoms, and Rajputs were largely unsuccessful, which damaged his reputation and weakened the Mughal Empire.

- His failure to capture the fort of Chittor after a prolonged siege further diminished his prestige and morale of his army.

Succession:

- Aurangzeb's decision to appoint Bahadur Shah as his successor rather than one of his sons led to a power struggle and civil war among the Mughal princes after his death.

Overall, Aurangzeb's unpopularity was due to a combination of his religious policies, economic policies, military failures and poor judgement in choosing a successor.