The tradition of recording major events during their respective reigns was started in earnest by Mughal Emperor Akbar. Akbar gave an official command to have a detailed history of his reign, and this resulted in Akbarnamah (Book of Akbar by Abu Fazal). This was done by the Emperor in the 24th year of his reign in 1580, and the tradition was kept alive by his successors for many generations.
His son Jehangir departed from having the history of his reign recorded in a similar manner. But he dictated his own memoirs, and this resulted in what became Tujuk Jehangiri, an official account of major events during Jehangir’s reign. It is a combination of an autobiographical account with an official history.
For an official record of the reign of Shah Jahan, one can refer to Padishahnama and during Aurangzeb’s reign, all events were recorded officially in Masir-i-Alamgiri, written by Saqi Mustad Khan. This book has been translated into English and annotated by noted historian Jadunath Sarkar. It talks in detail about Aurangzeb’s reign from 1658 to 1707, and the translated version is available online as a book of 366 pages. Its Hindi and Urdu translations are also available.
Words Maasiri & Alamgiri explained
Incidentally, the Persian word “Maasiri” means “deeds, actions, or events”. Etymologically, it is derived from the Arabian “Ma’asir’’. It is often used to refer to a collection or chronicle of historical (or significant) events or actions. When used in such a manner in the title of the book “Maasiri Alamgiri’’, it means it is a record of significant actions done by Alamgir (another name of Aurangzeb).
The Mughal emperor Aurangzeb was known as Abul Muzaffar Muhi-ud-Din Muhammad Aurangzeb, commonly known as Aurangzeb or by his regional title Alamgir. The title Alamgir was assumed by Aurangzeb when ascending the throne, as was the tradition among Mughal Emperors before him. Aurangzeb was called “Alamgir,” meaning “world conqueror” or “universe-seizer”. That explains why the historical accounts of his day are referred to as “Maasiri Alamgiri’’, meaning thereby, these are accounts of a conqueror of the world.
The tradition of acquiring an imperial title was started by Babar, the founder of the Mughal dynasty. This was continued for many generations by the Mughal Emperors who succeeded him.
In all these Namahs, or historical accounts being referred to earlier, there is a rigid pattern of dates being mentioned chronologically for reconstructing events. There is an accurate assemblage of names, and every month’s narrative of occurrences was considered worth recording for posterity. Each chapter of the book corresponds to a year of reign rather mechanically, but this also makes it clear that the events are recorded authentically.
In 1580, Akbar appointed in each province of his empire officials named Waqia Nawis (Recorder of events), and this tradition continued even after him, his successors following it to maintain official records. Jehangir and Shahjahan’s historical accounts are available, as well as those of Aurangzeb, as detailed above. In the book, which gives details regarding Aurangzeb’s reign, the demolition of the Kashi Vishwanath temple has been recorded, along with many other events.
The capture of Dara Shikoh, who was Wali Ahad (declared successor) of Shah Jahan, has been recorded in the official history of Aurangzeb’s era in the following words.
The Capture of Dara Shikoh
The capture of Dara Shikoh, who was Wali Ahad (declared successor) of Shah Jahan, has been recorded in the official history of Aurangzeb’s era in the following words. In the year 1659, on July 2, news came to the court of the capture of Dara Shikoh with his son Sipir Shikoh, on June 10, by Malik Jiwan, the zamindar of Dadar. After a few lines, it writes of another important event that took place in Aurangzeb’s court. The author writes: On August 2, the ceremony of weighing the Emperor on his 42nd lunar birthday with gold took place. This gold, equal to the weight of the Emperor, was then distributed among the poor. All men, far and near, were rendered happy by the granting of robes, promotions and gifts of jewels, elephants and horses.
A few sentences later, it is written in the book: At this time, Bahadur Khan brought Dara Shikoh to the exalted court, and he was kept in the palace of Khizirabad. As it was necessary for various reasons to remove the dust of his life from the plain of the world of living, on the night of August 30, the lamp of his life was quenched, and he was buried in Humayun’s tomb. Saif Khan was then ordered to convey Siphir Shikoh to the fort of Gwalior, and then return to Agra, and be its Subadar.
Islamists spread a misleading and false narrative that Emperor Aurangzeb was a very pious Muslim, following all the tenets of Islam diligently and not taking any money from the royal treasure. In trying to whitewash the rabidly anti-Hindu attitude and actions of Aurangzeb, they seek to create a myth that he used to stitch caps, sell them and make ends meet. Some enthusiastic apologists of the Mughal Emperor who got the 9th Sikh Guru Shri Teg Bahadur beheaded at Chandni Chowk say that Aurangzeb used to scribble copies of the Quran for his living.
Then where did the gold weighing equal to the Emperor’s weight on his 42nd birthday come from, if not the royal treasury? Did Aurangzeb earn this gold by selling caps (topis) and by making copies of the Quran?
Demolition of Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Chapter XII of the book is given/records the demolition of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple on the orders of Emperor Aurangzeb. This chapter deals with the 12th year of Aurangzeb’s reign, from January 23, 1669 to January 12, 1670. This chapter starts by describing what the Emperor did during Ramazan. It says: The Emperor passed the month of Ramazan in religious observances. The courtiers made preparations for celebrating the Coronation Day. The moon of Shawwal became visible on Friday. On the day of Eid, the Emperor visited the Eidgah and, at the time of return, offered his prayer in the great Jama Mosque. On April 8, 1669, occurred an eclipse; prayers were said and alms distributed, as was the custom.
The Lord Cherisher of the Faith learnt that in the provinces of Thatta, Multan and especially at Benares, the Brahmin misbelievers used to teach their false books in their established schools and that admirers and students both Hindus and Muslims, used to come from great distances to these misguided men in order to acquire this vile learning. His Majesty, eager to establish Islam, issued orders to the governors of all provinces to demolish the schools and temples of the infidels and, with the utmost urgency, put down the teaching and the public practice of the religion of these misbelievers.
On May 12, it was learnt that Abdun Nabi Khan, faujdar of Mathura, in order to punish the turbulent men of the village of Tilpat, had attacked and at first defeated them but was himself killed during the fight by a musket ball. He was a religious and benevolent man and combined administrative capacity with bravery in command. He built the lofty mosque of Mathura.
The news came from Attock-Benares that on June 24, a severe earthquake had formed a pit 50 yards in length and unfathomable depth. The next paragraph gives details regarding some promotions and postings of court officers. It says: On September 2, 1669, Mirza Mukarram Khan Safvai died of a severe fever. Then there is a paragraph, comprising just one sentence, regarding the demolition of Kashi Vishwanath temple.
The author writes: It was reported that according to the Emperor’s command, his officers had demolished the temple of Vishwanath at Kashi. (Emphasis supplied)
This is the temple that the present Central government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi got restored some years ago. It is a glorious temple with a very wide corridor developed by the demolition of dozens of residential houses in its vicinity. Reaching the Kashi Vishwanath Temple was such an effort till some years ago because of the countless narrow streets. Today, on walking out of the temple’s sanctum sanctorum, the river Ganga is clearly visible even as one is still in the temple corridor.
There are some apologists of Aurangzeb who dispute the fact that the Gyanvaapi Masjid in Varanasi (Benares) has not been constructed in place of the demolished temple of Kashi Vishwanath. The issue of whether or not that is a fact will get settled in courts someday. However, one needs to state that as one visits the Kashi Vishwanath Temple at Varanasi today, if one enters from Gate 4-A, one comes across the masjid first. It is a structure that has been barricaded nowadays.
How does one act/react to the presence of a masjid so near one of the holiest Shiva shrines? Well, with equanimity and before going for the darshan of Baba Vishwanath, one needs to bow head silently before our ancestors who lived in that era. We must be eternally grateful to them for having refused to forsake their faith. Despite certain destruction and death.
