Latest / Aurangzeb: The Emperor Who Expanded and Broke the Mughal Empire — Fexingo History / Aurangzeb's Naval Ambitions The Emperor Who Built a Fleet
Transcript
- Lucas: So, we've talked a lot about Aurangzeb's land campaigns — the Deccan, the Marathas, the Sikhs. But there's this whole other side to his rule that doesn't get as much attention: his naval ambitions. Luna: Aurangzeb had a navy? I always thought the Mughals were a land-based power. Lucas: That's the common perception, but actually, the Mughals maintained a significant fleet, especially during Aurangzeb's reign. He invested heavily in shipbuilding along the coasts of Gujarat and Bengal. By the late 17th century, he had a navy of over 800 vessels — warships, transports, and merchant ships. Luna: 800 ships? That's enormous. What was he trying to do with them? Lucas: Several things. First, protect the Hajj routes to Mecca and Medina — that was a big deal for him as a pious Muslim ruler. Second, combat piracy, especially from European ships and local coastal chieftains. And third, challenge the growing influence of the British East India Company and other European powers who were encroaching on Mughal trade. Luna: So it was partly about asserting sovereignty over Indian Ocean trade. Lucas: Exactly. And he had a key ally in this: the Sidi dynasty of Janjira. The Sidis were African-origin admirals who controlled a powerful fleet based on the island fortress of Janjira, off the coast of present-day Maharashtra. Aurangzeb appointed Sidi Yaqub as his admiral in the region. Luna: Wait, the Sidis — they were originally from East Africa, right? How did they end up as Mughal admirals? Lucas: Right. The Sidis trace their roots to African soldiers and traders who came to India centuries earlier, some as slaves, some as merchants. By the 17th century, they had established a maritime principality centered on Janjira. They were skilled seamen and fiercely independent, but they also served the Mughals when it suited them. Aurangzeb gave them titles and subsidies in exchange for naval support. Luna: So he outsourced his navy to a local power. Pragmatic. Lucas: Very pragmatic. But it wasn't just the Sidis. Aurangzeb also built his own ships in Surat, the major Mughal port in Gujarat. The Surat shipyards were famous for producing sturdy, ocean-going vessels, often using teak from the Western Ghats. They employed Arab and Turkish shipwrights who brought in advanced designs. Luna: And these ships were used for both trade and war? Lucas: Yes, the Mughal fleet had a dual purpose. Merchant ships carried goods like textiles, spices, and indigo to the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf, while warships escorted them and patrolled for pirates. Aurangzeb even had a dedicated Hajj fleet that transported pilgrims free of charge — a move that enhanced his legitimacy as a Muslim ruler. Luna: That's really interesting. But how effective was this navy? Did it actually challenge the Europeans? Lucas: It had some notable successes. In 1689, the Mughals blockaded the English settlement at Bombay, after the British had been harassing Mughal shipping. The English governor, Sir John Child, was forced to negotiate. Aurangzeb's admiral Sidi Yaqub even captured a few English ships. For a moment, it looked like the Mughals could push back against European dominance. Luna: So the Mughals actually beat the British at sea for a while? That's not a story you hear often. Lucas: Absolutely. The British were deeply alarmed. They sued for peace and agreed to pay reparations. But Aurangzeb's naval power was fragile. It depended heavily on the Sidis, who were not always reliable, and on the resources of the Gujarat and Bengal coasts. The fleet was expensive to maintain, and after Aurangzeb's death in 1707, the Mughal navy declined rapidly. Luna: Because the central empire was falling apart. Lucas: Exactly. Later Mughal emperors couldn't afford the ships, and the Sidis became more independent. By the mid-18th century, the Marathas and the British had taken over maritime dominance. The Mughal navy faded into obscurity. Luna: And something I think about — this show exists because listeners support it. We don't run ads, and it's a lot of work to research these episodes. If you enjoy hearing about these lesser-known corners of history, you can chip in at buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. A small group already does, and it makes all the difference. Lucas: Yeah, honestly, it's just a handful of people who keep this going. And we're grateful. Anyway — back to the navy. One more fascinating detail: Aurangzeb even tried to build a canal from the Yamuna to the Arabian Sea, to connect Delhi to the sea. He started the project but it never finished. Luna: Wait, a canal from the Yamuna all the way to the sea? That would have been a massive engineering feat. Lucas: It was. The plan was to link the Yamuna with the Ghaggar river, and then to the Indus, and finally to the sea. It would have given the Mughals a direct water route from the capital to the ocean. But the project was abandoned due to cost and technical difficulties. Still, it shows how serious Aurangzeb was about maritime power. Luna: It's almost like he foresaw the importance of naval strength for India's future. Lucas: Maybe. But in the end, the navy didn't survive his death. The British eventually filled the vacuum. Yet for a brief period in the late 1600s, the Mughals were a formidable naval force — a side of Aurangzeb that really challenges the stereotype of him as just a land-based emperor. Luna: And one more thing: the Sidi fort of Janjira is still standing. I've seen pictures — it's incredible, right in the middle of the sea. Lucas: It is. It's a testament to that era. The walls are made of black stone, and it's almost impregnable. The Sidis held it until the 20th century. So if you ever visit the Konkan coast, it's worth a stop.