Aurangzeb (ruled 1658-1707)
The Mughal empire maintained its splendour and its power as long as the momentum of Akbar’s strength and enlightened attitudes prevailed. But when Akbar’s great grandson, Aurangzev, violently wrenched the Peacock Throne from his father, Shah Jahan, the decline could not be disguised. He reinstituted the strict orthodox laws of Islam and withdrew Imperial patronage from the arts. After 24 years of fruitless campaigning in the Deccan, he saw the empire which he had so purposefully administered crumble and collapse.
