Aurangzeb vs Chand Bibi

Aurangzeb defeated his brothers Dara Shikoh, Shuja, and Murad Baksh in a civil war for the Mughal throne. He captured and executed Dara Shikoh, who was the favored successor of Shah Jahan. This victory established Aurangzeb as the sole Mughal emperor, but it also weakened the empire through internal conflict.

Aurangzeb ordered the execution of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh guru, for refusing to convert to Islam. The guru was beheaded in Delhi. This event intensified the Sikh resistance against Mughal rule and led to the formation of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699.

Aurangzeb re-imposed the jizya tax on non-Muslim subjects, which had been abolished by Akbar. This tax was levied on Hindus, Sikhs, and other non-Muslims. The re-imposition alienated many Hindu subjects and contributed to rebellions, including the Maratha uprising under Shivaji.

Aurangzeb engaged in a prolonged war against the Maratha Empire under Shivaji and his successors. The conflict lasted for 27 years, with Aurangzeb personally leading campaigns in the Deccan. Despite initial successes, the Mughals failed to subdue the Marathas, and the war exhausted the empire's resources.

Aurangzeb led a prolonged campaign to conquer the Deccan Sultanates of Bijapur and Golconda. He captured Bijapur in 1686 and Golconda in 1687 after lengthy sieges. These conquests extended Mughal rule to the southern tip of India, but they also drained the empire's treasury and military resources.

After the death of Sultan Burhan Nizam Shah II, Chand Bibi became regent for the infant prince. She took control of the kingdom's affairs during a critical period when the Mughal Empire under Akbar was expanding into the Deccan.

Chand Bibi led the successful defense of Ahmadnagar fort against a Mughal siege led by Prince Murad. She negotiated a treaty that recognized Mughal suzerainty but preserved Ahmadnagar's internal autonomy, temporarily halting Mughal conquest.

Chand Bibi signed a treaty with the Mughal Empire ceding Berar but retaining Ahmadnagar. The agreement temporarily stabilized the region but was criticized by some nobles who wanted continued resistance against Mughal expansion.

Chand Bibi was killed during a second Mughal siege of Ahmadnagar fort, possibly assassinated by her own troops who suspected her of negotiating surrender. Her death led to the fall of the fort and the end of effective Nizam Shahi resistance.