Aurangzeb’s Tomb

In News 

• Recently, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) shut Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra for five days after a mosque committee in the area tried to lock the place .

About Aurangzeb’s tomb

• Aurangzeb was Born on 3 November, 1618, at Gujarat’s Dahoda.
• In 1657-1658, there was conflict over succession amongst Shah Jahan’s sons.
  • Aurangzeb was victorious and his three brothers, including Dara Shukoh, were killed. 
  • Shah Jahan was imprisoned for the rest of his life in Agra.
• He was exhausted by a seemingly interminable campaign against the Marathas that drained his empire’s blood and treasure and died on 3 March, 1709.
• He was buried near the dargah of his “spiritual and religious teacher” Sufi saint Sheikh Zainuddin in keeping with his wishes.
• Lord Curzon later covered the grave with marble and surrounded it with a “pierced marble screen”.
• The tomb is a plain, brilliantly whitewashed structure with a large, arcaded courtyard in a typical mix of Islamic and Rajasthani architecture.
• Aurangzeb’s tomb has “few embellishments save a modest dome or two and minarets” (reflecting his austere tastes and in sharp contrast to the tombs of his forefathers).
• The emperor’s full name, Abul Muzaffar Muhi-ud-Din Mohammad Aurangzeb, is inscribed on marble in one corner of his tomb.

Source:TH