1. These facts might shock some:
Lately, his 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. No doubt he was one of the cruelest emperor who ruled during the Mughal Empire, and there are still some facts that many people didn’t know about him yet.
2. 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.
3. Studious
Aurangzeb was hugely into academics and religious education. His daily allowance was INR 500/- which he spent on educating himself more.
4. Moral seeker
Under his reign, censors were appointed to enforce morals, and laws were issued against prostitution, gambling, drinking, and narcotics.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Golden bird
No doubt his way to build up the treasure was ugly with imposed taxes, but at his time, the nation was richest in the world.
9. 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. As they (Britain), had to compensate Aurganzeb for a pirate raid that saw the capturing of the Grand Mughal convoy, returning from Mecca. It was one of most profitable pirate raids of its time.
10. Strict about religious practice
It is said, during the early days of his reign which were also the days of Ramadan, Aurangzeb fell gravely ill but being an ardent Islamist, he continued to fasting and praying. And being the Mughal emperor, he fulfilled his royal obligations by attending Durbars.
11. 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 (commissioned by him and built by his son).
12. First love
His first love was Hira Bai, a concubine of his uncle, who later died of childbirth. Aurangzeb went into great shock and depression for sometime after her death.
13. Hindu employees
Number of Hindus employed by the Emperor’s administration in Mughal history, is the highest during Aurangzeb’s reign.
14. ...wait there were some more
And while the nation argues over Aurangzeb being the cruelest, we would like to name a few other rulers who too have bloody imprints during their reign.
15. Jahangir
The eldest living son of Akbar, Jahangir was declared successor to his father at a very young age. But, he was impatient to be the next in power, so he forcefully tried to gain the right; though he was defeated. Akbar in his will had passed on his power to rule the nation into the hands of his grandson, Prince Khusrau Mirza. Threatened by his own son, Jahangir imprisoned Khusrau Mirza, after he attempted to succeed the throne. And as a punishment, Jahangir blinded him.
16. King Ashoka
Prior to his conversion to Buddhism, King Ashoka was known to be a sadistic ruler, Ashoka the Fierce or Candashoka (Ashoka the Cruel). It is believed that he wanted an ultimate cruel executioner of his Empire, and so ordered a quest to find one. A vicious man, Girika was brought to him; he even killed his parents to be Ashoka’s executioner. Together they even built a torture chamber. In order to become the sole ruler of Mauryan dynasty, Ashoka killed all of his 99 brothers except one, Vitashoka
17. Shah Jahan
Prince Khurram, popularly known as Shah Jahan enjoys the image of being a soulful lover to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. But a brutal truth from his past would shock you. He murdered his own imprisoned blinded brother Khusrau Mirza to leave no possible contenders to the throne.
18. Racha Vema Reddy
He was the last king of Reddy Kingdom and his cruelty left none. He once skinned an alive man to write his dictate. His level of cruelty was such, that he was killed by his own subject. Now its up to you to decide which one of the was the cruelest of all!
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