Explore the relationship between Aurangzeb and the Deccani states during 1684-87, including the final breach with Shivaji, the Treaty of Purandar, and the rise of the Marathas. Learn about Shivaji's achievements and the impact of the Maratha conflict on the Mughal Empire.

The Mughal campaigns in the Deccan under Aurangzeb were pivotal in shaping the late 17th-century Indian political landscape. From the initial struggles in 1681 to the fall of Bijapur and Golconda, these events highlight strategic warfare, regional alliances, and imperial ambitions, making them crucial for students studying medieval Indian history.

Aurangzeb’s Deccan Campaigns and Conquests (1681–1687)

• An overview of Aurangzeb's military operations in the Deccan against Marathas, Bijapur, and Golconda.

  These campaigns reveal the complexity of Mughal expansion, regional resistance, and the strategic significance of southern India during Aurangzeb's reign.

  • (i) Aurangzeb aimed to consolidate Mughal control over the Deccan by targeting key states.
  • (ii) The Marathas, Bijapur, and Golconda played crucial defensive and strategic roles.
  • (iii) Despite initial setbacks, the Mughals eventually captured Bijapur and Golconda.

• Initial Struggles and Renewed Efforts (1681)

  Upon entering the Deccan, Aurangzeb confronted Sambhaji and attempted to weaken regional alliances.

  • Conflict with Sambhaji

    • (i) Aurangzeb concentrated his forces against Sambhaji, Shivaji's successor.
    • (ii) Attempts to detach Bijapur and Golconda from the Marathas failed.
    • (iii) Deccan states relied on the Marathas as a shield against the Mughals.

• Aurangzeb's Demands and Bijapur's Siege (1686)

  The siege of Bijapur marked a key moment in Mughal expansion in southern India.

  • Aurangzeb’s Demands on Bijapur

    • (i) Provide provisions, free passage, cavalry support, and expel Sharza Khan.
    • (ii) Bijapur sought help from Golconda and Sambhaji, but even combined forces failed.
    • (iii) After an 18-month siege, Bijapur fell in 1686, confirming previous failures by Jai Singh (1665) and Diler Khan (1679–80).

• Golconda's Campaign and Downfall (1687)

  The campaign against Golconda followed Bijapur's fall, demonstrating Mughal determination and strategic planning.

  • Resistance of the Qutb Shah

    • (i) The Qutb Shah supported Madanna and Akhanna, aided Shivaji, and sent 40,000 men to Bijapur.
    • (ii) Initially occupied by the Mughals in 1685 with conditional pardon, subsidies, and territory cession.
    • (iii) Madanna and Akhanna were executed; Golconda was besieged in early 1687 and captured after six months via treachery and bribery.

• Aurangzeb’s Triumph and Subsequent Challenges

  Although victorious, Aurangzeb faced a prolonged period of resistance and logistical difficulties in the Deccan.

  • Post-Conquest Realities

    • (i) Extinction of Bijapur and Golconda marked only the beginning of challenges.
    • (ii) Aurangzeb entered the final and most challenging phase of his life, facing continuous Maratha resistance and administrative burdens.

• Summary: Aurangzeb’s Deccan Campaigns

  The Mughal campaigns in the Deccan (1681–1687) illustrate Aurangzeb’s strategic ambitions, the fall of Bijapur and Golconda, and the resilience of regional powers like the Marathas. Understanding these campaigns is crucial for students of medieval Indian history and highlights the complexities of imperial warfare, alliances, and political maneuvering.