[Solved] Aurangzeb's Concept of Jihad: Dar-ul-Islam Policy

The meaning of 'Jihad' carried on by Aurangzeb is-

[43rd B.P.S.C. Prelims 1999]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept

Aurangzeb’s religious policy was driven by his vision of turning the Mughal Empire from a pluralistic state into a strictly Islamic one.

Authentic Source Evidence

In Aurangzeb's political theology, the 'Jihad' (striving) meant transforming Dar-ul-Harb (The Land of War/Infidelity) into Dar-ul-Islam (The Land of Islam). He aimed to ensure the supremacy of the Sharia and Islamic governance over all his territories.

Analytical Breakdown

Logic 1: Option B is correct. His specific use of the term 'Jihad' in statecraft referred to the administrative and military effort to expand the reach of Islamic law.

Logic 2: Dar-ul-Harb (A) is the target state he wished to change, and Jizya (D) was just one of the fiscal tools used to reach this goal.

Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

"What is the difference between Dar-ul-Islam and Dar-ul-Harb?"

Dar-ul-Islam is territory where Islamic law is supreme; Dar-ul-Harb is territory where non-Muslim law prevails.

Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

"Aurangzeb's ideological shift towards Dar-ul-Islam alienated the non-Muslim elites and is often cited by historians as a factor in the eventual decline of Mughal stability."

Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)

Sharia 4 Jizya 2 Fatawa-e-Alamgiri 3

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