History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v5.c86.s1.18

v5.c86.s1.18

Obsessed by his narrow ideal of duty and supremely ignorant of his real limitations of character,—and not out of political cunning, as Manucci suggests,—Aurangzib cultivated saintly austerities and self-abasement and went regularly and even ostentatiously through all the observances of his religion. He thus became an ideal character to the Muslim portion of his subjects. They believed him to be a living saint (Alamgir, zinda pir!) who wrought miracles; and he himself favoured this idea by his acts.*