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Why did Aurangzeb destroy Hindu temples?
Vinod Kumar
Many historians today contend that "Aurangzeb did not indiscriminately
destroy Hindu temples, as he is commonly believed to have done, and that
he directed the destruction of temples only when faced with insurgency.
This was almost certainly the case with the Keshava Rai temple in the
Mathura region, where the Jats rose in rebellion; and
yet even this policy of reprisal may have been modified, as Hindu
temples in the Deccan were seldom destroyed. The image of Aurangzeb as
an idol-breaker may not withstand scrutiny, since there is evidence to
show that, like his predecessors, he continued to confer land grants (jagirs)
upon Hindu temples, such as the Someshwar Nath
Mahadev temple in Allahabad, Jangum Badi Shiva temple in Banaras,
Umanand temple in Gauhati, and numerous others."
In the contemporary history there is no evidence that Hindu temples were
demolished because of the rebellion by the Hindus. And secondly if the
places of worship were destroyed solely due to rebellion, many Muslims
including Aurangzeb's own brothers and sons also rose in rebellion
against him, how many mosques did he destroy to seek revenge or put down
rebellion?
Why were the orders issued to destroy the temples and schools of the
Hindus?
A contemporary historian, Saki Mustai'dd Khan in his Ma'asir-i Alamgiri
writes:
(The History of India as told by its own historians, vol. VII, pp. 183)
"On the 17th Zi-l kada 1079 (18th April 1669), it reached the ear of His
majesty, the protector of the faith, that in the provinces of Thatta,
Multan and Benaras, but specially in the latter, foolish Brahmins were
in the habit of expounding frivolous books in their schools, and the
students and learners, Mussulmans as well as Hindus, went there, even
from long distances, led by desire to become acquainted with the wicked
sciences they taught. (Emphasis added to show cause)
"The "Director of the faith" consequently issued orders to all the
governors of provinces to destroy with a willing hand the schools and
temples of the infidels; and they were strictly enjoined to put an
entire stop to the teaching
and practicing of idolatrous forms of worship. On the 15th Rabi-ul Akhir
it was reported to his religious Majesty, the leader of the unitarians,
that, in obedience to the order, the Government officers had destroyed
the temple of Bishnath at Benaras."
There is more about destruction of other temples. But at this time let
us review the above.
Firstly, there is no mention of rebellion by the Jats or anyone else.
The reason was simple -- the Brahmins were teaching "wicked sciences".
Secondly, if the Jats were in rebellion, how would the order to destroy
the temples and schools of the infidels help contain the rebellion if
the purpose was purely political? Any such act further inflame not only
the Jats who allegedly were in rebellion but also other infidels; even
those who were not part of the rebellion.
Thirdly, the Jats were not everywhere and they were not in rebellion all
over, the order was a general order, not only to demolish the temples
but also the schools, of not only of the Jats but all infidels.
The great shrines that commanded the veneration of the Hindus from all
over India were specially the targets of his religious bigotry. Among
others, these included the second temple at Somnath, the Vishwanath
temple of Benaras, and the Keshava Rai temple of Mathura, the "wonder of
the age" on which a Bundela rajah had lavished 33 lakhs of Rupees. The
temple at Mathura was of such "a height that its gilded pinnacles could
be seen from Agra." (History of Aurangzeb, Vol. 3. Jadunath Sarkar, pp.
175)
It is the common practice of "eminent historians" to label those
historians who portray real picture of Muslim rule in India as
"communal" historians. Will the "eminent historians" also call
contemporary Muslim historians like
the one I have quoted above as "communal historian"?
According to this definition, all Muslim historians and chroniclers from
Utbi on including Alberuni and Timurlang himself will be classified as
"communal".
Aurangzeb was a "good and pious" Muslim. To give another example of
devotion to Islam, let me cite another example which has nothing to do
with the infidel Hindus.
I quote from Muntakhabu-l Lubab by Khafi Khan:
1. "In the former reigns one side of the coins had been adorned with the
words of the creed and the names of the first four Caliphs; but as the
coins pass into many unworthy places, and fall under feet of infidels,
it was ordered
that this superscription should be changed."
2. "Since the reign of Emperor Akbar the official year of account and
the years of the reign had been reckoned from the Ist Farwadi, when the
sun enters Aries, to the end of Isfandiyar, and the year and the months
were called Ilahi;
but resembled the system of the fire worshippers, the Emperor in his
zeal for upholding the Muhameddan rule, (emphasis added) directed that
the year of the reign should be reckoned by the Arab lunar year and
months, and that the revenue accounts also the lunar year should be
preferred to the solar. The festival of the solar new year was
completely abolished."
Historians claim Aurangzeb was an Indian and should not regarded as a
foreign ruler. True, Aurangzeb was born in India and this makes him an
Indian. Then, what had Aurangzeb born in India, an Indian, descended
from Mongol Turks had to do with Arabic Lunar Calendar other than that
it was Islamic?
"Mathematicians, astronomers and men who have studied history, know that
**** the recurrence of the four seasons, summer, winter, the rainy
season of Hindustan, the autumn and spring harvests, the ripening of the
corn and fruit of each season, the tankhwah of jagirs, and the money of
the mansabdars, are all dependent upon the solar reckoning, and cannot
be regulated by the lunar; still his religious majesty was unwilling
that the Nauroz and the year and months of the magi should give their
names to the anniversary of his succession."
Contemporary history leaves no doubt that Aurangzeb conducted the
affairs of the State in accordance with the dictates of Islam. And for
that matter Aurangzeb was not unique in destroying the temples of the
infidels and neither was it limited to India. A practice of demolishing
or breaking idols started by Prophet Abraham has continued to this day.
Its latest manifestation being destruction of Buddha statues at Bamiyan
in Afghanistan. (http://vinod11220.tripod.com/buddhastatues.htm)
Some historians might say what they wish but it is not going to change
the truth as the fruits and seasons are not going to change their system
just because Islam follows the lunar calendar.
Aurangzeb was a pious and good Muslim. He is called a living pir.
Rebellion by the Jats was not the reason for his order to demolish
Hindus' temples. The reason was that these were the temples of the
infidels. |
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