How Did Aurangzeb Die: The Final Days of the Mughal Emperor
The question “how did Aurangzeb die” takes us back to the twilight years of one of India’s most controversial rulers. Aurangzeb Alamgir, the sixth Mughal emperor, died on March 3, 1707, at the age of 88 after a 49-year reign that dramatically reshaped the Mughal Empire. His death marked the beginning of the empire’s decline, making his final days particularly significant in Indian history.
Table of Contents
- Aurangzeb’s Final Years and Declining Health
- The Cause of Aurangzeb’s Death
- Where Did Aurangzeb Die?
- Aurangzeb’s Last Days and Final Words
- Aftermath and Succession
- Historical Significance of Aurangzeb’s Death
Aurangzeb’s Final Years and Declining Health
In his final decade, Aurangzeb’s health gradually deteriorated as he continued his military campaigns in the Deccan. The emperor, known for his austere lifestyle and devotion to duty, refused to return to the comfort of Delhi despite his advanced age.
The Emperor’s Aging Challenges
By 1700, Aurangzeb faced several health issues:
- Chronic fever that persisted for years
- Severe arthritis and joint pain that made movement difficult
- General physical weakness from decades of campaigning
- Possible digestive disorders from his simple diet
The Cause of Aurangzeb’s Death
Historical records indicate that how did Aurangzeb die was primarily due to natural causes associated with old age. The emperor’s official biographer, Mirza Muhammad Kazim, documented his gradual decline.
Medical Analysis of Aurangzeb’s Death
Modern historians analyzing contemporary accounts suggest:
- A combination of senescence (biological aging)
- Possible septicemia from chronic infections
- Cardiac complications given his age and stress levels
- General system failure after prolonged illness
Where Did Aurangzeb Die?
Aurangzeb died in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, where he had established his military camp during the Deccan campaigns. Unlike his predecessors who built grand mausoleums, Aurangzeb requested a simple grave near the dargah of Sufi saint Shaikh Burhan-ud-din Gharib in Khuldabad.
The Emperor’s Humble Burial
True to his austere nature, Aurangzeb’s burial was remarkably simple:
- Grave constructed at minimal cost (reportedly from money he earned by sewing caps)
- No grand mausoleum like the Taj Mahal (built by his father Shah Jahan)
- Location chosen for its spiritual significance rather than imperial grandeur
Aurangzeb’s Last Days and Final Words
The emperor’s final weeks provide profound insight into his character and state of mind. Despite being one of history’s most powerful rulers, his last days were marked by introspection and concern for his empire.
Notable Events Before Death
Key moments in Aurangzeb’s final days include:
- Completion of his political testament (Ahkam-i-Alamgiri)
- Letters to his sons expressing regret about the empire’s future
- Continued administration of state affairs until unable to continue
- Final recitation of the Quran which he had memorized
Aftermath and Succession
The question of how did Aurangzeb die is inseparable from its political consequences. His death triggered a war of succession that accelerated the Mughal Empire’s decline.
Immediate Consequences
- War of succession among his three surviving sons
- Eventual victory of Prince Muazzam (Bahadur Shah I)
- Rapid decentralization of Mughal authority
- Emergence of regional powers like the Marathas
Historical Significance of Aurangzeb’s Death
Aurangzeb’s death represents a watershed moment in South Asian history, marking the transition from Mughal dominance to regional fragmentation.
Long-term Historical Impact
The death of Aurangzeb led to:
- Gradual decline of centralized Mughal power
- Rise of European colonial powers in India
- Establishment of independent regional kingdoms
- Beginning of the Maratha ascendancy in Indian politics
Conclusion
Understanding how did Aurangzeb die provides crucial insight into the end of an era in Indian history. His death at 88 after nearly five decades of rule concluded the reign of the last powerful Mughal emperor, setting in motion the empire’s eventual collapse. Aurangzeb’s austere final years and simple burial reflect the contradictions of a ruler who expanded the empire to its greatest extent yet planted the seeds of its disintegration.
For those interested in Mughal history, Aurangzeb’s reign and death remain among the most studied periods, offering lessons about imperial overreach, religious policy, and the challenges of governing a vast, diverse empire.