Question

The actions of Aurangzeb brought about resentment and resistance from Hindus around the empire. Aurangzeb tried to extend his power into the south by conquering Hindu empires and taking people as slaves. The Hindu empires would not go quietly, and Aurangzeb faced rebellion from the Hindus and Sikhs, whose resistance efforts were often bolstered by the French and British. A confederation of Hindu kingdoms in the far south staved off Aurangzeb’s advances and remained outside Mughal control. What’s more, a Muslim governor in the south broke away to establish his own Muslim state and returned to a policy of religious tolerance.

Some historians believe that Aurangzeb’s decision to reimpose Islamic restrictions in India contributed to the decline of the Mughals. They suggest that in rolling back the policy of tolerance, Aurangzeb fractured the empire at the same time the British were seeking to expand their influence into India. While there is still debate about how much of a factor his policies were, it is a fact that within half a century of Aurangzeb’s death, the Mughal Empire that had ruled for over two centuries fell to the British.

Based on the passage, why do some historians believe Aurangzeb’s policies contributed to the decline of the Mughals?

His support for the British caused a rebellion.
His cooperation with Hindus caused resentment.
His lack of tolerance for Hindus weakened the empire.
His restrictions on Islamic practices led to resistance.

Answer 1

His lack of tolerance for Hindus weakened the empire.

Explanation: By reimposing Islamic restrictions and rolling back earlier religious tolerance, Aurangzeb alienated large parts of the population (Hindus and Sikhs), provoking resistance and fracturing imperial unity, which historians link to the Mughal decline.