Focus on Aurangzeb: Revisited After 300 Years

New Delhi:

The success of the Bollywood film ‘Chhaava’ and recent statements by leaders, including Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, have brought Aurangzeb back into the spotlight more than 300 years after his death in 1707.

‘Chhaava’ is based on the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji, the son of the legendary Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who was captured by Aurangzeb’s commander in 1689 at Sangamneshwar. Chhatrapati Sambhaji was executed on the Mughal emperor’s orders later that year.

While historians debate whether Aurangzeb was a religious fanatic or simply used religion as a tool to consolidate power, Maharashtra has traditionally viewed the Mughal emperor as a historical antagonist due to his frequent conflicts with the Marathas, part of a broader effort to expand into the Deccan. Emotions ran high after the film’s release, and Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi stoked controversy by claiming that Aurangzeb “was not a cruel ruler” and had even constructed Hindu temples.

Speaking outside the Maharashtra Assembly earlier this month, Abu Azmi said, “Aurangzeb built several temples. In Varanasi, he saved a Hindu girl from a priest who had ill intentions towards her. He had the priest trampled by elephants.”

“I don’t consider Aurangzeb a cruel ruler. During his era, power struggles were political, not religious. Aurangzeb’s army included many Hindus, just as Chhatrapati Shivaji’s army had several Muslims,” he added.

Mr. Azmi was suspended from the Maharashtra Assembly for the remainder of the ongoing Budget session and was forced to retract his remarks.

“Whatever I have said about Aurangzeb has been stated by historians and writers. I have not made any derogatory remarks against Shivaji Maharaj, Sambhaji Maharaj, or any national icons. Still, if anyone is hurt by my remarks, I take back my statements and comments,” he said.

On Tuesday, he also paid tribute to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj on his death anniversary, calling him a “valiant warrior.”

However, the damage control came too late. Maharashtra Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandrakant Patil stated that Mr. Azmi’s remarks had hurt the dignity of the House. Even some opposition leaders, including Shiv Sena’s Ambadas Danve, questioned why the Samajwadi Party MLA from Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar had not been arrested. At least one case was filed against him.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis—a BJP leader who has often criticized Aurangzeb and the treatment of Hindus under his rule—said Mr. Azmi would “100 percent” be jailed. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, head of the Shiv Sena, also expressed outrage over Mr. Azmi’s comments.

Tomb Row

BJP’s Satara MP Udayanraje Bhosale, a descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, recently demanded the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb from Khulabad in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district—whose name was changed from Aurangabad (named after Aurangzeb) in 2022.

“What is the need… send a JCB machine and raze his grave… he was a thief and robber… Those who visit Aurangzeb’s tomb and pay homage may be his descendants. They should take that tomb to their own homes, but the glorification of Aurangzeb will no longer be tolerated,” Mr. Bhosale said.

On Saturday, Mr. Fadnavis was asked about Mr. Bhosale’s demand. While he supported the removal of the tomb, he emphasized that it must be done legally since the Congress-led government had placed the site under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

“We all want the same thing, but it must be done within the framework of the law because it is a protected site. The site was placed under ASI’s protection during the Congress regime a few years ago,” the Maharashtra Chief Minister said.

Enduring Sentiment?

Opposition to Aurangzeb among some sections of society dates back to the time of activist and social reformer Jyotiba Phule and freedom fighter and Hindutva ideologue VD Savarkar.

Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray often spoke out against Aurangzeb and his impact on Hindus, a stance continued by his son and former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. Even after Akhilesh Yadav backed Abu Azmi, Uddhav Thackeray—an ally of the Samajwadi Party chief in the INDIA alliance—supported the leader’s suspension, stating that all of Maharashtra had raised objections against him.

Controversies surrounding Aurangzeb resurfaced in 2021 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi said invaders like the Mughal emperor had tried to destroy Varanasi, in 2022 when AIMIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi visited the Mughal emperor’s tomb, and again in 2023 when then Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis referred to some people as “Aurangzeb’s progeny” after they displayed the former king’s photos as online status messages.

Aurangzeb dominated the discourse again ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections last year when the BJP accused its former ally Uddhav Thackeray of abandoning the legacy of Chhatrapati and carrying the “palki” (palanquin) of Aurangzeb. Home Minister Amit Shah described Mr. Thackeray as the leader of the “Aurangzeb Fan Club.”

Speaking in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, PM Modi said Congress and its allies abuse Veer Savarkar and remain silent about Bal Thackeray. In an attack on the opposition, he asked people whether they would vote for those who follow Sambhaji or those propagating Aurangzeb’s ideas.