Why Aurangzeb’s tomb is at the centre of Maharashtra politics

Mughal emperor Aurangzeb who died more than 300 years ago is in the spotlight again in India. A recent movie called Chhaava, which depicts Maratha king Sambhaji Maharaj’s execution by the Mughal ruler, has rekindled ire against him.

Calls have grown for the demolition of Aurangzeb’s tomb in Khuldabad, Maharashtra, with even some politicians supporting the demand of Hindu right-wing groups. Nagpur witnessed violence on Monday (March 17) after rumours spread that a holy book was desecrated during a protest seeking the removal of the Mughal emperor’s tomb.

Let’s take a look at why Aurangzeb’s tomb is controversial.

Why Aurangzeb is disliked

Aurangzeb, the sixth Mughal emperor, ruled India for nearly 50 years from 1658 to 1707.

He ascended the throne after imprisoning his father Shah Jahan and killing his elder brother.

Aurangzeb still invokes fury among Hindu nationalists for his battle against the Marathas led by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The Mughal ruler was seen as an expansionist who backed the discriminatory jizya tax that had to be paid by his Hindu subjects in exchange for protection.

He also draws the ire of some Hindu groups today for ordering the destruction of several temples.

The 17th-century Mughal ruler is a highly polarising figure in Maharashtra. Aurangzeb ordered the execution of Sambhaji Maharaj, son of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Aurangzeb’s modest tomb

Aurangzeb died on March 3, 1707, at the age of 88 in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar, which has now been renamed Ahilyanagar.

His final resting place is simple compared to the tombs of his father and other Mughal rulers.

Aurangzeb was buried at the same premises in Khuldabad as that of Khwaja Syed Zainuddin Shirazi, whom he considered his spiritual guru.

It was the Mughal emperor’s wish to have a simple tomb and be buried near the shrine of his guru.

While he passed away in Ahmednagar, Aurangzeb’s body was transported to Khuldabad, then known as Rauza. It was later renamed Khuldabad, which means “heavenly abode”, as a tribute to the Mughal ruler, as per an Indian Express report.

Shaikh Nisar Ahmed, whose family has taken care of the tomb for six generations, had told ThePrint in May 2022 that Aurangzeb wanted his tomb to be made of “mitti (mud)” and situated near a sweet basil plant.

“His wish was to have a tomb built for 14 rupaya 12 anna. He did not want any zari (a decorative gold thread on cloth) or mulmul (muslin).”

He reportedly funded his final resting place himself from the amount he earned by knitting caps during his last years.

Describing the tomb, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) says, “The existing gateway and domed porch were added in 1760 AD. The floor is of marble, a neat railing of perforated marble is on three sides, and the wall of the dargah forms the fourth side. It was erected by the Nizam of Hyderabad. Only a patch of earth with a small sabza plant remains on top, and it is roofed only by the vault of the sky.”

According to historical records, Chhatrapati Shahu I, the fifth ruler of the Maratha Empire and Shivaji’s grandson, visited Aurangzeb’s tomb to pay his respects.

Despite the rivalry between the Marathas and the Mughals, Sambhaji’s son Shahu did not disturb Aurangzeb’s tomb.

Row over Aurangzeb’s tomb

Aurangzeb returned to political discourse after the release of the hit film Chhaava which graphically depicts how Chhatrapati Sambhaji was tortured to death, fuelling demands for razing the Mughal ruler’s tomb.

Earlier this month, Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi claimed in the Maharashtra Assembly that some portrayals of Aurangzeb in the movie were wrong. Calling him a “good administrator”, Azmi said, “I don’t consider Aurangzeb a cruel ruler… A wrong history is being shown (in the movie Chhava). Aurangzeb built several temples.”

As his remarks stoked outrage, the SP leader was suspended from the Assembly for the rest of the budget session. Azmi later withdrew his statements, saying they were misinterpreted.

Later, BJP’s Satara MP Udayanraje Bhosale, a descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, raised the demand for the demolition of Aurangzeb’s tomb.

“What is the need… send a JCB machine and raze his grave… he was a thief and lootera (robber)… Those who visit Aurangzeb’s tomb and pay homage may be his future. They should take that tomb to their own homes, but the glorification of Aurangzeb will not be tolerated anymore,” he said.

Right-wing outfits led the calls for the removal of Aurangzeb ’s tomb in the state’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde dubbed those praising Aurangzeb as “traitors”.

Addressing the Assembly on Tuesday on the Nagpur violence and arson, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the movie Chhaava reignited public anger against the Mughal ruler.

“Chhaava brought the history of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj before the people and their sentiments were ignited. Also, the public anger against Aurangzeb is coming to the fore. Keeping these things in mind, the law and order system must be maintained and everyone should be patient. If anyone riots, we will take action regardless of caste or religion,” he said.

Fadnavis, who also holds the home portfolio, indicated the Nagpur violence was “pre-planned”. He also said that the government would “protect” the tomb but would not allow the glorification of Aurangzeb. Last week, he had supported the demand for demolishing the tomb but said it was an ASI-protected monument and any move against it should be as per the law.

Opposition parties, such as the Congress and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), have hit out at the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti over the demolition demand, saying it is a political distraction from real issues like inflation.

“Shivaji Maharaj and Sambhaji Maharaj defeated Aurangzeb. His tomb here is a symbol of his failure, not his success. The BJP is using this issue for political gain instead of addressing people’s real concerns,” Sanjay Raut of Shiv Sena UBT said.

This is not the first time that right-wing groups are calling for the demolition of Aurangzeb’s tomb. The final resting place of the Mughal emperor was shut temporarily in May 2022 after All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Akbaruddin Owaisi’s visit prompted calls for the tomb’s demolition by Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).

With inputs from agencies