Hindu Nobles in Aurangzeb’s Service: Contributions and Proportion

Aurangzeb Alamgir (r. 1658–1707), the sixth Mughal emperor, is often stereotyped as an orthodox ruler intolerant of non-Muslims. Yet, his administration relied significantly on Hindu elites, particularly Rajputs, Kayasthas, and other groups, who served as military commanders, administrators, and advisors. This article lists key Hindu figures who held prominent roles under Aurangzeb and examines their proportion within the Mughal nobility, offering a historical lens on diversity in governance. Understanding the composition of Aurangzeb’s administration highlights how pre-modern empires balanced inclusion with imperial control.

Notable Hindus in Aurangzeb’s Administration

Aurangzeb’s reign saw numerous Hindus occupying high ranks, primarily through the mansabdari system, which assigned nobles ranks (mansabs) for military and administrative duties. Below are some prominent Hindu figures who served him:

1. Raja Jai Singh I of Amber (d. 1667)
   • Role: A leading Rajput noble and military commander, holding a mansab of 7000/7000 (the highest rank).
   • Contributions: Commanded campaigns against Shivaji (1665, Treaty of Purandar) and in Bijapur. Governed key provinces and remained loyal despite Aurangzeb’s religious policies.
   • Significance: Known as “Mirza Raja,” he symbolized Rajput-Mughal alliance.
2. Raja Jaswant Singh of Marwar (d. 1678)
   • Role: Rathore Rajput with a mansab of 6000/6000, serving as a general and governor.
   • Contributions: Led campaigns in Gujarat and the Deccan; appointed governor of Gujarat. His death sparked a succession crisis, with Aurangzeb intervening in Marwar, straining relations.
   • Significance: His loyalty showcased Rajput integration, though tensions later arose.
3. Raja Man Singh of Amber (d. 1716)
   • Role: Successor to Jai Singh, holding a mansab of 5000/5000.
   • Contributions: Served in Deccan campaigns and governed provinces like Bengal. Maintained Amber’s alliance with the Mughals post-1679 jizya reimposition.
   • Significance: Continued Rajput influence in imperial service.
4. Raja Bishan Singh of Amber
   • Role: Held a mansab of 4000/4000; appointed to key posts.
   • Contributions: Governed frontier regions and fought in Aurangzeb’s Deccan wars.
   • Significance: Upheld Amber’s loyalty amid growing Rajput discontent.
5. Raja Anup Singh of Bikaner
   • Role: Rathore noble with a mansab of 3500/3500.
   • Contributions: Commanded troops in the Deccan and governed Adoni after its conquest (1689). A patron of learning, he strengthened Bikaner’s ties to the empire.
   • Significance: Exemplified smaller Rajput states’ roles in Mughal expansion.
6. Raghunath Ray
   • Role: Kayastha bureaucrat, serving as diwan (revenue officer) in Delhi.
   • Contributions: Managed fiscal records and revenue collection, critical for Aurangzeb’s war-heavy reign.
   • Significance: Represented Hindu bureaucratic expertise in a Persianized administration.
7. Raja Ram Singh of Jaipur
   • Role: Kachhwaha Rajput with a mansab of 4000/4000.
   • Contributions: Participated in Assam campaigns (1660s) and Deccan wars, maintaining Jaipur’s loyalty despite religious tensions.
   • Significance: Reinforced Rajput military contributions.
8. Durgadas Rathore of Marwar (d. 1718)
   • Role: Initially a mansabdar and military leader.
   • Contributions: Served Aurangzeb early but rebelled after Jaswant Singh’s death, leading Marwar’s resistance to protect its autonomy (1679–1707).
   • Significance: His shift from service to rebellion highlights Rajput agency and limits of Mughal control.
9. Raja Indra Singh of Jodhpur
   • Role: Rathore noble installed by Aurangzeb in Marwar post-1678.
   • Contributions: Governed briefly as a Mughal loyalist before local opposition ousted him.
   • Significance: Shows Aurangzeb’s attempt to co-opt Rajputs amid crises.
10. Bhimsen Saxena
    • Role: Kayastha chronicler and official, author of Nuskha-i-Dilkusha.
    • Contributions: Served in the Deccan, documenting Aurangzeb’s campaigns and administration.
    • Significance: Provided rare Hindu perspectives on Mughal governance.

Other Hindu groups, like Brahmins, Baniyas, and Khatris, staffed lower-tier revenue posts (mutasaddis, kanungos), leveraging literacy to manage land records and taxes. Zamindars, such as those in Awadh and Bihar, acted as local intermediaries, collecting revenue and maintaining order, though their loyalty varied.

Proportion of Hindus in the Mughal Nobility

Quantifying the Hindu presence in Aurangzeb’s administration relies on historical estimates, primarily from the mansabdari system, which included nobles ranked 500 zat and above. Historian Satish Chandra’s analysis of Mughal records provides key insights:

• Overall Proportion: By 1679–1707, Hindus constituted approximately 31–33% of high-ranking mansabdars (500 zat and above), up from about 22–25% under Shah Jahan (r. 1628–1658). This increase reflects Aurangzeb’s reliance on Hindu elites to sustain his vast empire, especially during Deccan campaigns.
• Rajput Dominance: Rajputs (e.g., Kachhwahas of Amber, Rathores of Marwar, Sisodias of Mewar) accounted for roughly 25–28% of the nobility, holding over 40% of total mansab ranks by troop obligations (sawar). Clans like Amber, Bikaner, and Jodhpur were prominent, with Amber alone contributing 10–12% of Rajput mansabdars.
• Non-Rajput Hindus: Kayasthas, Brahmins, and others (e.g., Marathas briefly under Sambhaji) made up 5–7% of high ranks. Kayasthas like Raghunath Ray were vital in revenue administration, while Brahmins served as scribes and local officials.
• Total Mansabdars: Aurangzeb’s nobility grew to over 8,000 by the 1690s, with Hindus numbering around 2,500–2,800 in high ranks, per Chandra’s estimates. Lower-tier Hindu officials (amils, kanungos) were likely more numerous but less documented.

These figures debunk myths of Hindu exclusion, showing Aurangzeb’s pragmatic integration of diverse elites. However, his policies—like the jizya (1679) and temple destructions—strained relations, particularly with Marwar and Mewar, reducing Rajput cohesion later in his reign.

Governance and Transparency: A Historical Parallel

Aurangzeb’s reliance on Hindu nobles parallels modern debates on inclusive governance. His administration balanced diversity with control, appointing Hindus to counterbalance Persian and Muslim elites. Yet, accountability was emperor-centric—spies (waqia-navis) monitored officials, but no public transparency existed, unlike today’s demand for open records. Hindu officials’ roles in revenue and justice (qazi courts often consulted Brahmins) suggest a system flexible yet opaque by modern standards.

Challenges and Context

Despite Hindu contributions, Aurangzeb’s religious policies created friction. The jizya alienated some Rajputs, and Marwar’s rebellion (1679–1707) under Durgadas Rathore reflected limits to integration. Hindu zamindars in the Deccan often resisted Mughal authority, complicating governance. Still, loyalists like Jai Singh and Raghunath Ray ensured administrative stability, underscoring Hindus’ critical role.

Conclusion

Hindus, particularly Rajputs and Kayasthas, were integral to Aurangzeb’s Mughal administration, comprising roughly one-third of the high nobility and staffing key bureaucratic roles. Figures like Jai Singh, Jaswant Singh, and Raghunath Ray exemplified their influence, navigating a complex empire amid religious tensions. This diversity highlights Aurangzeb’s pragmatism, offering a historical lens on governance that resonates with today’s transparency debates. While the Mughal system lacked public accountability, its inclusion of Hindu elites sustained an empire at its zenith, leaving a legacy of administrative resilience.