Religious tensions in the Mughal Empire
I can explain the impact of Aurangzeb's religious policies on support for the Mughal Empire.
Religious tensions in the Mughal Empire
I can explain the impact of Aurangzeb's religious policies on support for the Mughal Empire.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Mughal emperors, including Aurangzeb, were Muslims.
- Mughal emperors traditionally showed tolerance towards non-Muslims.
- Aurangzeb reintroduced the jizya and even destroyed Hindu temples.
- Hindu and Sikh groups rebelled against the Mughals during Aurangzeb's reign.
- A growing number of non-Muslims served as Mughal officials during Aurangzeb's reign.
Keywords
Tolerance - tolerance involves allowing people to do or believe what they want although your beliefs are different or you do not agree with them
Gurdwara - a gurdwara is a Sikh place of worship
Jizya - the jizya was a tax which non-Muslims had to pay in Muslim-ruled countries
Discrimination - discrimination involves treating a person or particular group of people in a worse way from the way in which you treat other people, because of characteristics like their race or religion
Guru - a guru is a religious leader in the Sikh religion
Common misconception
Aurangzeb was completely intolerant towards and alienated all non-Muslims.
Aurangzeb continued to support non-Muslim places of worship and to promote non-Muslim officials in the empire, leading to increased numbers of Hindus and Sikhs serving the Mughal Empire by the end of his reign.
To help you plan your year 8 history lesson on: Religious tensions in the Mughal Empire, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 8 history lesson on: Religious tensions in the Mughal Empire, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
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Explore more key stage 3 history lessons from the The East India Company: when did Mughal authority collapse? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of serious crime
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
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Adult supervision required
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