History of Aurangzeb Vol 1 & 2: Jadunath Sarkar English PDF
History of Aurangzeb V-1 & 2 English PDF
The Historical book ‘History of Aurangzeb‘ (Volumes 1 and 2) is written by the famous historian Jadunath Sarkar. These two volumes, especially on the reign of Aurangzeb, are a fundamental work with an insightful and fundamental perspective. It is a unique work by Jadunath Sarkar for the scope and depth of its period. A breakdown of the main arguments and contributions of the historical book “History of Aurangzeb” (Volumes 1 and 2) is given on this webpage:
Aurangzeb’s Reign: An Epoch of Expansion and Decline:
Sarkar argues that Aurangzeb’s reign (1658-1707) was a pivotal epoch in Indian history, practically synonymous with the history of India for sixty years. It marked the Mughal Empire’s territorial zenith, forming the largest unified state in India’s pre-British history, stretching from Ghazni to Karnataka and Kashmir to Chatgaon. This vast empire was a single political unit, directly administered by the Crown, surpassing the extent and direct control of earlier empires like those of Ashoka or Samudra Gupta. There was no widespread defiance of the central power by provincial governors, indicating an unprecedented level of imperial cohesion.
The Paradox of Decline Amidst Expansion:
Despite this immense expansion, Sarkar highlights a crucial paradox: Aurangzeb’s reign simultaneously witnessed the unmistakable signs of the Empire’s decline and disruption. Long before foreign invaders like Nadir Shah and Ahmad Shah, or the rise of the Maratha Confederacy, the Mughal Empire was already facing internal decay. Sarkar points out that even before Aurangzeb’s death, the Empire was financially bankrupt, its administration was breaking down, and its power to maintain order was failing.
Emergence of New Powers: Marathas and Sikhs:
The text emphasizes that Aurangzeb’s reign was crucial for the up-springing of the Maratha nationality and the transformation of the Sikh sect into armed opponents of the ruling power. The Marathas, despite initially being subdued, asserted themselves and became the first Indian people to successfully check the Mughal advance, saving their homeland from encroachment. Their development into conquerors and raiders would define the next historical era. These two groups, according to Sarkar, represent the “supreme factors of Indian history in the 18th and early 19th centuries,” owing their origin to Aurangzeb’s rule and policies.
The European Foothold: A Glimmer of a New Dawn:
Sarkar uniquely incorporates the growing presence of European powers as another significant development of Aurangzeb’s era. He notes the establishment of English East India Company presidencies in Madras (1653), Bombay (1687), and the founding of Calcutta (1690). These ‘places of shelter’ became “a dominion within a dominion,” fortified and capable of defying “country powers.” Sarkar sees these as the initial “experiments in Oriental government and legislation” by foreign “merchant adventurers,” which would eventually lead to an empire grander than the Roman or that of Charles V. This highlights Sarkar’s broad perspective, recognizing the nascent forces that would eventually overturn the Mughal order.
The Empire’s Moral and Material Decay:
Sarkar vividly describes the ‘rotten at the core’ state of the Mughal Empire by the end of the 17th century. The grand edifice, though visually intact, was ready to crumble. The treasury was empty, the army demoralized, and centrifugal forces were gaining strength. More critically, Sarkar points to a profound moral weakness: the government lost the awe of its subjects, public servants became dishonest and inefficient, and both ministers and princes lacked statesmanship. Aurangzeb himself, in his letters, lamented the incompetence of his officers and sons. Contemporaries, like Bhimsen and Khafi Khan, noted the stark contrast between the Empire’s former glory and its current degradation.
The “Political Paradox”: Aurangzeb’s Character and Policy:
The most striking aspect of Sarkar’s analysis is his attempt to reconcile the Empire’s decline with Aurangzeb’s personal character. He describes Aurangzeb as a ruler “free from vice, stupidity, and sloth,” possessing prodigious intellectual keenness, immense industry, discipline, and courage. He was abstemious, hardy, and a master of political wisdom, with extensive experience in war and diplomacy.
Yet, despite these exceptional personal qualities, fifty years of his rule resulted in “failure and chaos.” Sarkar concludes that the cause of this “political paradox” lies squarely in Aurangzeb’s “policy and conduct.” This makes his reign not just a historical period but an “object of supreme interest to the student of political philosophy,” as it demonstrates how even a personally virtuous and capable ruler can lead to disaster through flawed policies and a rigid approach.
Jadunath Sarkar’s ‘History of Aurangzeb’ (Volumes 1 and 2, which cover the prelude to his reign, the war of succession, and the early decades of his rule) culminates in a powerful and often melancholic portrayal of a paradox: a ruler of immense personal capability, moral uprightness, and diligent application to statecraft, whose reign nevertheless laid the foundation for the decline and eventual disintegration of the vast Mughal Empire.
The conclusion drawn from these initial volumes, which set the stage for the later unfolding tragedy, is that Aurangzeb’s policies and personal conduct, despite his virtues, created the conditions for imperial decay. Sarkar highlights:
The Irony of Greatness and Failure:
Aurangzeb’s personal qualities—his intellectual acuity, immense industry, simple living, courage, and unyielding adherence to his principles—were those of an ideal ruler. Yet, these very qualities, when coupled with his specific policies, produced disastrous outcomes. The “political paradox” lies in how a sovereign free from “vice, stupidity, and sloth” presided over “failure and chaos.”
The Seeds of Decline Sown Early:
Even in these earlier volumes, Sarkar establishes that the Empire, while reaching its greatest geographical extent under Aurangzeb, was simultaneously developing internal weaknesses. The heavy financial and human cost of his relentless expansion, particularly in the Deccan, began to strain the treasury and administration from the outset.
The Birth of Opposition:
Crucially, Sarkar underlines how Aurangzeb’s policies, particularly his religious orthodoxy, ignited the flames of resistance among groups like the Marathas and Sikhs. While these nascent national identities would fully blossom into formidable challenges later, their roots are firmly planted in the initial decades of Aurangzeb’s reign as a direct consequence of his rule.
A Shift in India’s Destiny:
Sarkar’s forward-looking perspective is notable, as he points to the quiet but significant establishment of European trading posts (Madras, Bombay, Calcutta) during this very period. These seemingly small footholds, initially dismissed as mere commercial ventures, are identified by Sarkar as the true harbingers of a new, British-dominated future for India, a “dominion within a dominion” that would eventually eclipse the tottering Mughal edifice.
The Moral and Administrative Breakdown:
By the end of the period covered in these volumes, Sarkar observes that the Empire’s core was already “rotten.” The administration was becoming inefficient and corrupt, the army losing its fighting spirit, and the government losing the awe and loyalty of its subjects. This moral and material decay, rather than external invasion, is pinpointed as the internal rot that would ultimately fall the Mughal giant.
In sum, Volumes 1 and 2 of ‘History of Aurangzeb‘ lead the reader to the stark conclusion that Aurangzeb’s reign, a period of unprecedented territorial reach, was simultaneously the beginning of the end for the Mughal Empire. Sarkar masterfully sets up the “tragedy” by demonstrating how the emperor’s formidable personal qualities were inextricably linked to the flawed policies that would, in the subsequent volumes, bring about the slow but inexorable downfall of one of India’s greatest historical empires. His work firmly establishes Aurangzeb’s personal character and policy choices as the primary drivers of this momentous shift in Indian history.
For those eager to delve into the depths of History of Aurangzeb of Jadunath Sarkar’s unparalleled vision, the PDF file of the historical book ‘History of Aurangzeb Vol-1 and 2’ is made available on this webpage for online reading and download.
Book Language– English,
Genre– Historical Book,
PDF Downloads: History of Aurangzeb: Jadunath Sarkar.