An in-depth exploration of political developments in North India during Aurangzeb’s reign, including the War of Succession, Dara Shikoh’s defeat, Shah Jahan’s imprisonment, and Aurangzeb's consolidation of power.

War of Succession in North India

• During the war of succession, many local zamindars and rajas withheld revenue or started plundering the neighboring areas, including Mughal territories and royal highways.

Aurangzeb's Strong Rule and Consolidation in North India

• After seating himself formally on the throne, Aurangzeb embarked upon an era of strong rule.
• In some cases, such as the northeast and the Deccan, the imperial frontier was advanced. However, in general, Aurangzeb did not embark upon a forward policy.
• His first attempt immediately after his succession was to re-assert imperial authority and prestige. This included the recovery of areas lost during the war of succession, to which the Mughals felt they had legal claim.
• To begin with, Aurangzeb was more concerned with consolidation than conquest and annexation. Thus, he sent an army to Bikaner to enforce obedience to the Mughal emperor but made no effort to annex it.
• In another case, such as Palamau in Bihar, the ruler accused of disloyalty was dispossessed, and the bulk of his state annexed.
• The rebel Bundela chief, Champat Rai, who had been an ally of Aurangzeb at first but had taken to a life of plunder, was relentlessly hunted down. However, Bundela lands were not annexed.