You said:
Which were main empires of India in the time of Aurangzeb
ChatGPT said:
During the time of Aurangzeb (r. 1658–1707), India was politically dominated mainly by the Mughal Empire, but several strong regional powers existed or emerged during his reign. Here are the main empires and major powers of that period:
1. Mughal Empire (Largest Power)
- Aurangzeb ruled almost the entire Indian subcontinent.
- The empire extended from Afghanistan to Tamil Nadu and from Bengal to Gujarat.
- It was the largest Mughal Empire in history in terms of land area.
2. Maratha Empire (Rising Power)
- Led initially by Shivaji Maharaj (coronated in 1674).
- After Shivaji, the Marathas expanded rapidly under leaders like Sambhaji, Rajaram, and Tarabai.
- Became the main military challenger to Aurangzeb.
- Fought the long 27-year Mughal–Maratha war (1680–1707).
3. Ahom Kingdom (Assam)
- An old northeastern kingdom, never fully conquered by the Mughals.
- Famous Battle of Saraighat (1671) where Lachit Borphukan defeated the Mughal army.
4. Sikh Confederacy (Later Sikh Empire Seeds)
- Under Guru Gobind Singh, rising political-military power (Khalsa founded in 1699).
- Not yet an empire, but a major resistance force in Punjab.
- Later became the Sikh Empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh (much later).
5. Rajput Kingdoms
Rajputana had several strong states:
- Mewar (Udaipur)
- Marwar (Jodhpur)
- Amber (Jaipur)
Some cooperated with Mughals, some rebelled (notably Mewar & Marwar).
These were not “empires,” but powerful regional kingdoms.
6. Bijapur Sultanate
- Ruled by the Adil Shahi dynasty.
- Strong Deccan Sultanate until Aurangzeb annexed it in 1686.
7. Golconda Sultanate
- Ruled by the Qutb Shahi dynasty.
- Extremely rich (Kohinoor diamond mines) until annexed by Aurangzeb in 1687.
Summary Table
| Region | Name | Status during Aurangzeb |
|---|
| North India | Mughal Empire | Dominant empire |
| Western India | Maratha Empire | Rising power, major opponent |
| South India | Bijapur & Golconda | Independent until 1686–87, then annexed |
| Rajasthan | Rajput Kingdoms | Partly allied, partly rebellious |
| Punjab | Sikhs (Guru Gobind Singh) | Growing military resistance |
| Northeast | Ahom Kingdom | |