Aurangzeb, << AWR uhng `zehb` >> (1618-1707), was an emperor who ruled what is now India and Pakistan from 1658 until his death on March 3, 1707. His reign as monarch of the Mughal Empire was marked by wars of expansion in southern India and wars to put down rebellions in the north.
Aurangzeb, a devout Muslim, tried to make all his people follow Islam, the Muslim religion. He placed special taxes on Hindus, who made up the majority of the population, and destroyed Hindu temples and images. Aurangzeb also destroyed many works of art because he feared that they might be worshiped as idols. His policies led to much political and religious discontent, which helped weaken the empire. The empire declined rapidly after Auragzeb’s death.
Aurangzeb was born on Nov. 3, 1618, in Dohad, near Ahmadabad. In a struggle for the throne, he defeated three of his brothers in battle and executed two of them. Aurangzeb imprisoned his father and became emperor.
