HINDUS
(Part 4)
Jahangir’s reign (cont.)
Jahangir had influence of his birth mother, Mariam-uz-zamani (Jodhabai) as well as Ruqquaiya Begum. However, after Akbar’s death, Jahangir stuck to the liberal policies towards Hindus. And his mother was also Hindu, so he also respected her religion too. Jahangir had also married Hindu Princess. So, he was very kind towards Hindus and his reign also had no genocide or demolition just like his father’s reign.
In 1592, Jahangir’s wife Taj Bibi Bilqis Makani gave birth to a son, who was younger than Khushrau. They named him A'la Azad Abul Muzaffar Shahab ud-Din Mohammad Khurram, shortly Khurram.
After Jahangir’s approval of making East India Company in Hindustan, British expanded their business in Kolkata, Surat and many other parts of Hindustan. Though Hindu States were not comfortable with British arrival, they had to endure them too.
Jahangir’s successful reign lasted 22 years and after his death, his son Khurram succeeded him on the throne of Mughal Sultanate and became 5th Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan.
1628, Shah Jahan ascends the throne
After ascending the throne, Shah Jahan immediately made liberal policies Hindus very strict. Khushrau wouldn’t do that, as he was also son of Hindu Princess just like his father, Salim. But this was Khurram, who also disliked Hindus. The rule of Babur was about to come. Shah Jahan expanded study of Quran just like Babur did.
In 1607-08, Prince Khurram was introduced with a beautiful Princess of Persia, the step daughter and niece of Nur Jahan (Jahangir’s wife). Khurram was said that her name was Arjumand Banu. After a proposal of marriage, Khurram and Arjumand Banu married each other. By passing years, Khurram’s love became stronger and stronger for Arjumand Banu. He loved her even more than his own wife. Regardless of multiple marriages, Khurram only loved Arjumand Banu. Her name was even changed. She was called MUMTAZ now.
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| Emperor Shah Jahan and Arjumand Banu Begum |
Shah Jahan made his beloved wife Mumtaz his chief consort and Empress of Mughal Empire. But in just three years after Shah Jahan succession, she died of illness. Her death was a shock for the emperor. His focus had decreased towards reign. Although, he had 14 sons from Mumtaz who would watch over the empire. Prince Aurangzeb was seeing sorrow of his father, but he remained strong.
Burial of Arjumand Banu Begum
Shah Jahan decided to make a burial for his beloved Mumtaz, which would make other monuments pale before this one. But there were many problems. He had to choose place, design, and workers too. After few researches, they decided to give it a shape of Babur’s tomb. But Shah Jahan wanted that to expand.
When the plan was finally ready, they decided to build it on the bank of Yamuna at Agra. However, the area they chose wasn’t enough to build this tomb. Next to the chosen land, situated a huge temple-palace named “Tejo Mahalaya”. Tejo Mahalaya was a Shiva Temple, built by Raja Mansingh during Akbar’s reign and his descendants had custody of that temple.
Prince Aurangzeb was infamous for his cruelty for Hindus from his youth. He didn’t only disliked Hindus, he hated Hindus. He neither cared about Hindu Religion nor their gods. If the emperor had directly ordered him to demolish the temple, he would have done that. But Raja Mansingh had been loyal to Mughal Sultanate and his descendants were too. Besides, he was nephew of Jodhabai. So, to disrespect Mansingh’s descendants would be disrespect his grandmother.
Therefore, Emperor Shah Jahan summoned Raja Jaisingh, grandson of Raja Mansingh, in his court. Raja Jaisingh was also loyal to Mughals. Raja Jaisingh gave Tejo Mahalaya to Shah Jahan on the emperor’s order, since he couldn’t resist due to his grandfather’s loyalty. And he also knew that Tejo Mahalya wouldn’t have been built without Akbar’s contribution. But was this appropriate to demolish the temple of Hindus to make tomb of Empress? Was this appropriate to demolish the temple which was once built by his grandfather? Shah Jahan’s love towards Arjumand banu won. He destructed the Shiva Temple, Tejo Mahalya, and started construction of Taj Mahal in 1632.
1634, Sikh Rebellions
Sikhs, the people lived around Punjab, started rebelling against Mughal Sultanate under the leader named Guru Hargovindsingh. Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb managed to control the rebellion, but that gave Mughal Sultanate another enemy. SIKHS.
Sikhs weren’t Hindus, but they respected Hindustan equally. They still do. Sikh Rebellions gave Hindus another friends. And now Hindus could trust someone who would also oppose Mughals.
1653 – 1658
Construction of the tomb was completed. It took 21 years to build a wonder. That monument was truly huge, fascinating and one of a kind. It was named as TAJ MAHAL. People say it was named as Taj Mahal because Mumtaz was buried beneath it. However, Badshahnama, the biography of Shah Jahan, never uses the name Mumtaz. She was always called Arjumand Banu Begum. Shah Jahan’s mother’s name was Taj. But this was burial of his wife, why would he put his mother’s name on his wife’s tomb? So, that leaves one option. TEJO MAHALAYA could become TAJ MAHAL. Where once stood a magnificent temple, was now a magnificent tomb. The symbol of faith has become the symbol of love.
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| CGI of Taj of 1632 AD |
Shah Jahan built Jama Masjid in Delhi and Agra Fort in Agra along with many architectures. However, Aurangzeb had always his eye over the treasury of Mughal Sultanate. During construction of Taj Mahal, Mughal Empire had almost become empty. Shah Jahan even took money from Hindu temple to complete the architecture of Taj Mahal. Hindus had to compromise with their faith to complete one man’s love. Aurangzeb knew if this continued, Mughal Empire would be doomed. In just five years, he made army on his side and assassinated all his brothers and imprisoned the emperor Shah Jahan, his own father.
He imprisoned weak Shah Jahan in front of the Taj Mahal, so that he could see his wife’s tomb day and night. It was just like that. The coin of Mughal Sultanate had been flipped, and family respect in Mughal Sultanate had vanished all at once.
In 1658, Aurangzeb ascended the throne of Mughal Sultanate, and the bad fortune of Hindus started again. Cruelty of Aurangzeb crossed its limits. He started demolishing temples. He ordered to destroy the temple of Vrindavan, which was built by his great grandfather Akbar in that same century. His army entered in that seven-storied temple and started destroying it. But after destroying four storeys, it started shaking and few soldiers died due to slipping of huge stones. Government has made new temple near it.
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| Temple of Vrindavan demolished by Aurangzeb (I) three storeys remained |
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| Temple of Vrindavan demolished by Aurangzeb (II) |
1658, Aurangzeb’s cruel reign continues
After demolishing Hindu Temples and killing innocent Hindu Brahmins as well as common Hindus, Aurangzeb heard few more rebellions from Punjab. Sikhs were again rebelling under the leadership of Guru Teg Bahadur.
However, Aurangzeb was busy in destroying temples to regain wealth of Mughal Empire which was paid in construction of Taj Mahal. He regained many lands and wealth too.
At the same time, he destroyed the half-destroyed Somnath temple for the sixth time. And once again, Somnath temple became target to destruction. And Hindus went in dark age again. All happiness they received during Akbar and Jahangir’s rule vanished at once.
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| Somnath Temple demolished by Aurangzeb After many years, it was rebuilt my Maratha Peshwas |
But then something happened which gave a ray of hope to Hindus. That Maratha warrior who had helped Aurangzeb to conquer Bijapur, and in return he was assured of recognition. Yet, Aurangzeb didn’t keep his word. And that Maratha Warrior raided his territory. Aurangzeb raided back. And thus, the clash between those two started. Aurangzeb didn’t know that the man he was trying to beat was not a common man. He had the light of gods on his face and ambition in his eyes. In 1659, Aurangzeb heard that Maratha Warrior had killed Afzal Khan of Aadilshahi Sultanate and shook its base. And his few consequent attacks had raised fear in the hearts of Mughal Sultanate. Aurangzeb also knew that he would be the biggest threat to Mughal Sultanate, but didn’t want to admit it. But fact remains fact. Aurangzeb knew that he was on his way to shake pillars of Mughal Sultanate and his ambition to wave saffron flag on entire Hindustan was also approaching. The greatest Maratha Warrior SHIVAJI BHONSLE was making his own empire now. The fall of Mughal Sultanate was near. And SHIVAJI SAHAJI BHONSLE would become the biggest contributor to the dream of HINDU SWARAJ (HINDU NATION).
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