History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v5.c71: Front matter
History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v5.c71
- Language
- English
Front matter
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THE BOOK WAS DRENCHED the *Gesta Romanorum*, the *Legenda Aurea* of Jacobus de Voragine, and the *Speculum Historiale* of Vincent of Beauvais. These were the books that fed the imagination of the Middle Ages, and they were the books that the Church, in its wisdom, provided for the instruction and edification of the faithful.
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But the Church did not merely provide books; it also provided the means of their dissemination. The monastic scriptoria, where monks labored in silence to copy the sacred texts, were the precursors of the printing press. And when the press finally arrived, it was the Church that first harnessed its power, using it to spread the word of God to the corners of the earth. The Gutenberg Bible, the first major book printed in Europe, was a testament to the Church's commitment to the written word.
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Yet, even as the Church championed the spread of knowledge, it also sought to control it. The *Index Librorum Prohibitorum*, or List of Prohibited Books, was a tool used by the Church to suppress ideas it deemed dangerous or heretical. This tension between the desire to educate and the need to control would define the Church's relationship with literature for centuries to come.
v5.c71.4
It is a complex history, one that is marked by both enlightenment and suppression. But it is a history that cannot be ignored, for it is the history of the very foundation of Western civilization. The Church, in its role as the guardian of knowledge, has shaped the way we think, the way we write, and the way we understand the world around us.
v5.c71.5
the *Gesta Romanorum*, the *Legenda Aurea* of Jacobus de Voragine, and the *Speculum Historiale* of Vincent of Beauvais. These were the books that fed the imagination of the Middle Ages, and they were the books that the Church, in its wisdom, provided for the instruction and edification of the faithful.
v5.c71.6
But the Church did not merely provide books; it also provided the means of their dissemination. The monastic scriptoria, where monks labored in silence to copy the sacred texts, were the precursors of the printing press. And when the press finally arrived, it was the Church that first harnessed its power, using it to spread the word of God to the corners of the earth. The Gutenberg Bible, the first major book printed in Europe, was a testament to the Church's commitment to the written word.
v5.c71.7
Yet, even as the Church championed the spread of knowledge, it also sought to control it. The *Index Librorum Prohibitorum*, or List of Prohibited Books, was a tool used by the Church to suppress ideas it deemed dangerous or heretical. This tension between the desire to educate and the need to control would define the Church's relationship with literature for centuries to come.
v5.c71.8
It is a complex history, one that is marked by both enlightenment and suppression. But it is a history that cannot be ignored, for it is the history of the very foundation of Western civilization. The Church, in its role as the guardian of knowledge, has shaped the way we think, the way we write, and the way we understand the world around us.
v5.c71.9
the *Gesta Romanorum*, the *Legenda Aurea* of Jacobus de Voragine, and the *Speculum Historiale* of Vincent of Beauvais. These were the books that fed the imagination of the Middle Ages, and they were the books that the Church, in its wisdom, provided for the instruction and edification of the faithful.
v5.c71.10
But the Church did not merely provide books; it also provided the means of their dissemination. The monastic scriptoria, where monks labored in silence to copy the sacred texts, were the precursors of the printing press. And when the press finally arrived, it was the Church that first harnessed its power, using it to spread the word of God to the corners of the earth. The Gutenberg Bible, the first major book printed in Europe, was a testament to the Church's commitment to the written word.
v5.c71.11
Yet, even as the Church championed the spread of knowledge, it also sought to control it. The *Index Librorum Prohibitorum*, or List of Prohibited Books, was a tool used by the Church to suppress ideas it deemed dangerous or heretical. This tension between the desire to educate and the need to control would define the Church's relationship with literature for centuries to come.
v5.c71.12
It is a complex history, one that is marked by both enlightenment and suppression. But it is a history that cannot be ignored, for it is the history of the very foundation of Western civilization. The Church, in its role as the guardian of knowledge, has shaped the way we think, the way we write, and the way we understand the world around us.
v5.c71.13
the *Gesta Romanorum*, the *Legenda Aurea* of Jacobus de Voragine, and the *Speculum Historiale* of Vincent of Beauvais. These were the books that fed the imagination of the Middle Ages, and they were the books that the Church, in its wisdom, provided for the instruction and edification of the faithful.
v5.c71.14
But the Church did not merely provide books; it also provided the means of their dissemination. The monastic scriptoria, where monks labored in silence to copy the sacred texts, were the precursors of the printing press. And when the press finally arrived, it was the Church that first harnessed its power, using it to spread the word of God to the corners of the earth. The Gutenberg Bible, the first major book printed in Europe, was a testament to the Church's commitment to the written word.
v5.c71.15
Yet, even as the Church championed the spread of knowledge, it also sought to control it. The *Index Librorum Prohibitorum*, or List of Prohibited Books, was a tool used by the Church to suppress ideas it deemed dangerous or heretical. This tension between the desire to educate and the need to control would define the Church's relationship with literature for centuries to come.
v5.c71.16
It is a complex history, one that is marked by both enlightenment and suppression. But it is a history that cannot be ignored, for it is the history of the very foundation of Western civilization. The Church, in its role as the guardian of knowledge, has shaped the way we think, the way we write, and the way we understand the world around us.
v5.c71.17
the *Gesta Romanorum*, the *Legenda Aurea* of Jacobus de Voragine, and the *Speculum Historiale* of Vincent of Beauvais. These were the books that fed the imagination of the Middle Ages, and they were the books that the Church, in its wisdom, provided for the instruction and edification of the faithful.
v5.c71.18
But the Church did not merely provide books; it also provided the means of their dissemination. The monastic scriptoria, where monks labored in silence to copy the sacred texts, were the precursors of the printing press. And when the press finally arrived, it was the Church that first harnessed its power, using it to spread the word of God to the corners of the earth. The Gutenberg Bible, the first major book printed in Europe, was a testament to the Church's commitment to the written word.
v5.c71.19
Yet, even as the Church championed the spread of knowledge, it also sought to control it. The *Index Librorum Prohibitorum*, or List of Prohibited Books, was a tool used by the Church to suppress ideas it deemed dangerous or heretical. This tension between the desire to educate and the need to control would define the Church's relationship with literature for centuries to come.
v5.c71.20
It is a complex history, one that is marked by both enlightenment and suppression. But it is a history that cannot be ignored, for it is the history of the very foundation of Western civilization. The Church, in its role as the guardian of knowledge, has shaped the way we think, the way we write, and the way we understand the world around us.
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BASED ON ORIGINAL SOURCES
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JADUNATH SARKAR, M.A., *Indian Educational Service, (Bihar.)*
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VOL. V The Closing Years, 1689-1707
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1924 M. C. SARKAR & SONS CALCUTTA
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Rs. 4
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BY THE SAME AUTHOR
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1. *History of Aurangzib*, 5 vols., sold separately. Vol. I. Reign of Shah Jahan. ,, II. War of Succession, 1657-58. ,, III. Northern India, 1658-1681, 2nd ed. ,, IV. Southern India, 1644-89, Rs. 3-8 each. ,, V. The Last Phase, 1689-1707, Rs. 4.
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2. *Shivaji and His Times*, 2nd ed., enlarged, with a portrait, Rs. 4.
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3. *Studies in Mughal India*, Rs. 2. (22 Historical essays and biographies.)
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4. *Chaitanya*, 2nd ed., greatly enlarged, with a portrait, Rs. 2. (The greatest saint of Bengal, 1485-1533 A.D.).
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5. *Anecdotes of Aurangzib*, Re. 1-8. (Persian text of Ahkam-i-Alamgiri with English translation and notes).
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6. *Economics of British India*, Rs. 3. (4th ed., revised and enlarged.)
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7. *Mughal Administration*, 2nd ed. (272 pp.) Rs. 3.
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8. *Later Mughals*, 1707-1739, by W. Irvine, edited and continued by J. Sarkar, 2 large vols. with portrait, Rs. 8 each.
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Publishers—M. C. SARKAR & SONS, 90/2A, HARRISON ROAD, CALCUTTA.
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Printed by S. C. Majumdar, SRI GOURANGA PRESS, 71/1, Mirzapur Street, Calcutta. Published by S. C. Sarkar of M. C. SARKAR & SONS.
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CHAPTER XLIX.—A Survey of the Last Eighteen Years ... ... 1—19 The tragedy of Aurangzib's life, 1—his movements during his last 20 years, 4—Maratha recovery after 1689, 7—war during 1692—93, 8—Aurangzib at Islampuri, 11—his sieges, 13—miserable condition of the country, 16—sad end of Aurangzib, 18.
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CHAPTER L.—Operations in Western Deccan during 1688—1695 ... 20—49 Maratha ministers and generals in 1689, 20—Rajaram's accession, 22—his flight to Madras Karnatak, 23—Aurangzib takes many forts, 26—Marathas capture Rustam Kh., 29—Panhala besieged by Muizz-ud-din, 33—Lutfullah's campaigns, 38—fighting in 1691-92, 41—Santa and Dhana active, 43—Kari fort, 47—Santa's movements, 47.
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CHAPTER LI.—Conquest of the Madras Karnatak ... ... 50—109 Karnatak : its divisions, 50—Harji Mahadik, Maratha viceroy, 53—Mughals enter Karnatak, 56—confusion and disorder, 59—Rajaram's Court at Jinji, 63—his dealings with the French and the English, 64—Zulfiqar arrives, 69—Jinji fortifications described, 70—Zulfiqar begins siege, 72—Santa and Dhana raise siege of Jinji, 78—Kam Bakhsh intrigues, 81, is arrested, 85—Mughal retreat to Wandiwash, 89—
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operations during 1693, 94—Zulfiqar against Tanjore, 97—operations in 1696, 103—fall of Jinji, 107.
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CHAPTER LII.—Struggle with the Marathas during 1695—1700 ... 110—137
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Qasim Kh. against Santa, 110—driven into Dodderi, 113—hardships of Mughals, 116—they capitulate, 117—Himmat Kh. killed by Santa, 120—Basavapatan relieved, 121—civil war between Dhana and Santa, 124—death of Santa, 127—character, 128—Rajaram in Maharashtra, 130—his last expedition, 132—death of Rajaram, 135—Tara Bai as regent, 136.
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CHAPTER LIII.—Mughal-Maratha Struggle in Konkan ... 138—158
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Divisions of Konkan, 138—its strategic importance, 139—Konkan under Shivaji, 141—Mughal invasion, 142—Matabar Kh.'s conquests in Nasik district, 146—and in Thana district, 150—Matabar's buildings in Kalian, 151—he renews war, 153—attacks Portuguese in Bassein, 155—last years of Matabar, 157.
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CHAPTER LIV.—Aurangzib besieges Maratha Forts ... 159—192
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Islampuri base, 159—Satara besieged, 161—falls, 166—Parli captured, 167—hardships of retreat, 168—flood in Khawaspur camp, 170—Panhala besieged, 173—Md. Murad's deeds, 174—Maratha activities, 177—Khelna (Vishalgarh) besieged, 180—Fathullah's heroism, 184—sufferings during return, 187—siege of Kondana (Singh-garh), 189—of Rajgarh & Torna, 191.
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CHAPTER LV.—Internal History of the Marathas ... ... 193—213 Ramchandra, regent in the West, 193—Rajaram's doings in Jinji, 194—Maratha system of guerilla warfare, 196—factions among Maratha ministers, 197—Tara Bai's character, 199—internal dissensions, 201—Shahu's captivity, 203—Maratha allies of Mughals, 207—Rai-bhan, 211.
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CHAPTER LVI.—Capture of Wagingera, 1705 ... ... 214—234 Berad race, character, 214—their Nayak family, 215—Pidia Nayak's career, 218—Wagingera described, 221—siege of Wagingera, 223—fight with Marathas, 225—peace negotiations, 227—Nusrat Jang's victories, 229—Wagingera taken, 233.
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CHAPTER LVII.—The Last Phase ... 235—267 Desolation of the country, 235—plunder and disorder, 237—famine, 239—Maratha system of spoliation described, 241—changes in Maratha tactics, 242—Aurangzib ill at Devapur, 244—marches to Ahmadnagar, 247—despair, 248—Maratha predominance, 250—Azam Shah plots against Kam Bakhsh, 254—last illness of Aurangzib, 256—death, 257. Appendix: Aurangzib's last letters to Azam, 259, and to Kam Bakhsh, 260—his last will, 262.
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CHAPTER LVIII.—War in Rajputana, 1681—1707 ... ... 268—292 War with Rathors for 30 years, 268—three stages of the war, 270—how Shujaet Khan controlled Marwar, 272—Durgadas and Durjan Sal Hada's raids, 277—Akbar's daughter restored to Aurangzib, 281—also his son Buland Akhtar, 284—second revolt of Durgadas and Ajit, 287—they submit, 289—Ajit's final triumph, 292.
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CHAPTER LIX.—Disorders in Northern India ... ... 293—311
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Causes of brigandage, 293—Jat risings near Agra, 295—Rajaram Jat's doings, 297—killed, 299—Jat forts taken, 300—Churaman, 302—Pahar Singh Gaur rebels, 303—his sons, 305—Gangaram Nagar's rebellion in Bihar, 308—Gopal Singh Chandawat in Malwa, 310.
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CHAPTER LX.—English Traders in India, 312—358
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Early English trade with Bengal, 312—friction with Mughal officials, 315—grievances of English traders examined, 317—Mughal Government's position explained, 321—English sack Hughli in 1686, 325—seize Hijli, 328—plunder and burn Balasore, 330—Emperor pardons English traders, 333—Sir Josiah Child orders war upon the Mughals, 336—English factors at Surat imprisoned, 337—European piracy in Indian seas, 340—Ganj-i-sawai looted, 343—Surat factors imprisoned, 346—Aurangzib's policy towards European traders, 349—Capt. Kidd plunders the Queda Merchant, 352—European traders forced to supply convoys, 354—Sir W. Norris's embassy, 355—confinement of Sir J. Gayer, 356—Dutch reprisals, 357.
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CHAPTER LXI.—Some Provinces ... 359—435
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*Bengal*: its natural wealth, 359—peace secured by Mughal conquest, 362—popular sufferings in 1660, 364—Shaista Kh.'s good deeds, 366—Shova Singh and Rahim Kh.'s rebellion, 370—Bengal under Murshid Quli Kh., 376—*Malwa*: its wealth, strategic importance, and composite population, 379—first Maratha incursion, 1699, 382—Nima Sindhia's raid in 1703, 383—Bidar Bakht in Malwa, 387—examples of disorder, 389—*Bundelkhand*: Chhatra Sal's early career, 390—rebellion, 395—later career, 397—*Gondwana*: its old kingdoms, 400—Deogarh history, 401—Chanda, 406—Bakht Buland's career, 408—and success, 410—*Kashmir*: Emperors' visits, 412—ignorance and poverty of people, 414—superstition, 416—flood, earthquake, and fire at Srinagar, 417—Mughal viceroys and their doings, 418—Shia-Sunni fight, 421—Prophet's foot-prints adored, 423—popular credulity, 424—*Gujrat*: the gate of India, 426—lawless tribes, 428—Maratha incursions, 428—Dhana's invasion in 1706, battle of Ratanpur, 431—persecution of Bohras, 432—and of Khojas, 434.
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CHAPTER LXII.—Condition of the People, 436—472
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Decline of the Mughal empire, 436—peace how very necessary, 438—economic exhaustion caused by Aurangzib's wars, 439—natural calamities, 441—trade and manufacture ruined, 443—peasants robbed, 445—Government turns bankrupt, 447—unpaid officials starve, 449—disorder and mal-administration in N. India, 451—subahdars too poor and weak to govern, 453—condition of Rajputs, 454—decay of Indian civilisation under Aurangzib, 455—official inefficiency, 457—ill education and depravity of nobles, 458—prevalent vices, 461—superstition, 461—contempt for foreign science, 464—slavery, 464—official bribery, 465—clerks, their life and character, 468—purity and joys of life of the masses, 469—popular religions, 470.
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CHAPTER LXIII.—Aurangzib and Indian Nationality ... ... 473—495
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Character of Aurangzib, 473—his over-centralisation and its effects, 477—real nature of Mughal Government, 480—an autocracy, 481—Hindu and Muslim outlook upon life how different, 482—political suppression of the Hindus, 485—decline of Indian Muhammadans, its causes, 486—the Indo-Muslim was an exotic, with intellectual vacuity due to language, 487—weakness of Hindu society, 489—religious amity and strife, 491—unprogressive spirit of old India, 493—significance of Aurangzib's reign in history, 494.
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Author's thanks ... ... ... 496
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[A general Index to all the five volumes with a full bibliography will be issued separately.]