A study of the Ahkâm-ı Alamgîrî work compiled by Hamîduddin Khan Bahadır

The fourth ruler of the Mughal Empire, Sultan of the Conqueror, Abu'l-Muzaffar Muhammed Muhyiddin Aurangzeb (d. 1118/1707), was born on November 3, 1618, in the town of Dohad in the Panch Mahal region, now part of modern-day Bombay (Mumbai). He was the third son of Shah Jahan and his famous wife Mumtaz Mahal. Aurangzeb ruled during what is often described as the "golden age" of the Mughal Empire. Still, over time, his reign has been criticized, with some accusing him of contributing to the empire's decline, particularly in 20th-century European scholarship. This study will examine the reign of Aurangzeb, focusing on the judicial system, the primary source for this system, el-Fetâva el-Âlemgîriyye, and a classical text that directly addresses the events of the period, Ahkâm-i Alamgîrî, written by Hamîduddin Han Bahadur Nimcha. This work covers important events from Aurangzeb's time as a prince to his nearly half-century rule. Additionally, the analysis will explore how he governed a country where most of the population was non-Muslim, implementing Islamic law. The study will assess his policies and the impact of his rule on Mughal society from an objective perspective.