(a) "Aurangzeb's religious policy was a reflection of the changed political realities of the Mughal Empire." Elucidate.

Aurangzeb's religious policy, while undeniably rooted in his personal Islamic orthodoxy, cannot be fully understood without acknowledging the profound political shifts occurring within and around the Mughal Empire. These changes created pressures and opportunities that influenced his decisions, transforming what might have been personal piety into state policy.

Changed Political Realities and Aurangzeb's Religious Policy

1. Decline of the Concept of 'Divine Kingship' and Rise of Orthodox Ulema

• Political Reality: The concept of Din-i-Ilahi and Sulh-i-Kul championed by Akbar had, to some extent, waned by Aurangzeb's time. The powerful Ulema (Islamic clergy) resented the perceived liberalism of previous emperors and sought to reassert Sunni Islamic dominance in state affairs. The Mughal state, despite its vastness, faced ideological challenges.
• Policy Reflection: Aurangzeb, himself a devout Sunni, found political allies in the orthodox clergy. By adopting a more stringent Islamic policy, he gained legitimacy among a significant section of the Muslim nobility and Ulema, who were crucial for administrative support and ideological justification of his rule, especially after a contested succession. This included measures like ending the celebration of Nauroz and appointing Muhtasibs (censors of public morals).

2. Administrative and Financial Strain

• Political Reality: The empire was vast but increasingly overstretched. Constant warfare, particularly in the Deccan against the Marathas and various Sultanates, drained the imperial treasury. The Mansabdari system, the backbone of Mughal administration, was showing signs of strain, with a shortage of jagirs (land grants) leading to discontent among nobles.
• Policy Reflection: The re-imposition of Jizya (poll tax on non-Muslims) in 1679, after a century of its abolition, was partly an attempt to replenish the imperial coffers. While it also had a religious dimension, the economic compulsion cannot be ignored. The empire needed revenue to fund its extensive military campaigns, and Jizya, though symbolic, was presented as a legitimate Islamic tax that could generate funds.

3. Rise of Regional Powers and Rebellions

• Political Reality: Aurangzeb's reign witnessed numerous uprisings – the Marathas under Shivaji, the Jats, Satnamis, and Sikhs in the north. These were often rooted in socio-economic grievances but sometimes took on religious overtones due to the composition of their followers and the perception of Mughal rule.
• Policy Reflection: Aurangzeb's actions against non-Muslim religious sites or leaders, such as the execution of Guru Tegh Bahadur, were often direct responses to perceived political threats or defiance. For instance, the destruction of temples in areas of rebellion (e.g., Kashi, Mathura) was not universal but often targeted at institutions associated with or providing sanctuary to rebel elements. It was a punitive measure to assert imperial authority, which sometimes unfortunately overlapped with religious structures.

4. Consolidation of Imperial Authority and Suppression of Dissent

• Political Reality: Aurangzeb had come to power after a brutal war of succession, imprisoning his father and executing his brothers. His rule needed strong legitimization and firm control over a diverse and often rebellious nobility.
• Policy Reflection: By promoting an image of himself as a devout Muslim ruler, a Padishah-i-Ghazi (victorious Islamic emperor), Aurangzeb sought to consolidate his authority among the broader Muslim population and present a unified ideological front. This also served to differentiate his rule from his more 'liberal' predecessors and perhaps to silence internal opposition from orthodox elements. The demolition of specific temples, though controversial, might have been intended to demonstrate unchallengeable imperial power and send a message to dissenting elements.

5. Rajput Policy and Decline of Alliance

• Political Reality: The traditional Mughal-Rajput alliance, a cornerstone of Akbar's empire, had weakened considerably by Aurangzeb's time. Rajput states increasingly asserted their autonomy, and their loyalty was often conditional. The Rathor succession dispute in Marwar (1679) was a major flashpoint.
• Policy Reflection: Aurangzeb's intervention in Rajput succession disputes and the subsequent wars often saw religious justifications being employed, even if the underlying causes were political. The re-imposition of Jizya and other measures further alienated the Rajputs, pushing them towards greater defiance, thereby illustrating a policy that, while perhaps intended to assert authority, ultimately backfired and exacerbated political instability.

In essence, Aurangzeb's religious policies were not purely born out of religious zeal but were deeply intertwined with his strategic calculations to manage a vast and complex empire facing internal strife and external threats. While they undeniably had a profound negative impact on inter-community relations and the stability of the empire, they represented a ruler's attempt to navigate the changed political realities through a more religiously assertive posture.