Latest / Aurangzeb: The Emperor Who Expanded and Broke the Mughal Empire — Fexingo History
Aurangzeb's Bullock Cart Disaster: How Jizya Broke the Economy
In 1679, Aurangzeb reimposed the jizya tax on non-Muslims, a decision that previous episodes have framed as religious persecution. But this episode uncovers the logistical catastrophe that followed: the emperor's attempt to transport the jizya revenue from the Deccan to Delhi using a massive bullock cart caravan. The convoy stretched for miles, became a target for Maratha raids, and triggered an inflation crisis that devastated Mughal markets. We explore the forgotten financial records from the Maasir-i-Alamgiri, the testimony of Venetian traveler Niccolao Manucci, and the surprising…
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