Aurangzeb remains one of the most divisive figures in Maharashtra’s historical and political landscape, with his legacy repeatedly fueling debates, protests, and violent clashes. His rule, marked by the execution of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s son, Sambhaji, left an indelible scar on Maratha pride, and his name continues to evoke strong emotions across the state. The latest turmoil erupted on March 17, 2025, in Nagpur, where a protest organized by right-wing Hindu outfits demanding the removal of Aurangzeb's tomb in Sambhaji Nagar spiraled into violent communal clashes. The unrest left over 30 people injured, with around 60 to 65 rioters taken into custody. Among the injured were 25 to 30 police personnel who tried to control the escalating violence. Protesters torched 25 motorcycles and three cars, transforming the streets into a chaotic battlefield. The BJP claimed the violence was orchestrated, while opposition parties accused the ruling party of inflaming tensions for political gain.
Just weeks before, on March 3, 2025, Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Asim Azmi reignited the historical debate by defending Aurangzeb’s legacy, arguing that the Vicky Kaushal-starrer film 'Chhaava' misrepresented him. The movie, which portrays Chhatrapati Sambhaji’s defiance against Aurangzeb, depicts the Mughal emperor as a brutal oppressor. Azmi countered this, claiming Aurangzeb was a "good administrator" who also constructed temples — a statement that led to his immediate suspension from the Maharashtra Assembly. Azmi’s remarks polarized public opinion, with some accusing him of distorting history and others defending his right to challenge mainstream narratives.
The controversy surrounding Aurangzeb’s image is nothing new. On June 4, 2023, Maharashtra police arrested two individuals in Ahmednagar for displaying posters of Aurangzeb during a religious procession. A viral video showing a man holding Aurangzeb’s portrait led to further outrage, resulting in four more arrests. This wasn’t the first time Aurangzeb’s imagery caused public outcry — and it certainly wouldn’t be the last.
In May 2022, AIMIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi sparked a political firestorm by visiting Aurangzeb’s tomb in Khuldabad near Aurangabad. His act, perceived as provocative by pro-Maratha groups like Shiv Sena and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), led to widespread condemnation. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) temporarily shut the tomb for five days to prevent further unrest. MNS spokesperson Gajanan Kale went a step further, openly questioning why the tomb still stood in Maharashtra and suggesting it should be demolished entirely.
The push to erase Aurangzeb’s presence from public spaces has been a growing movement over the years. In May 2022, BJP leaders demanded the renaming of Aurangzeb Lane — inspired by the 2015 renaming of Delhi’s Aurangzeb Road — proposing that the street honor former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam instead. This mirrored an earlier campaign by then-East Delhi MP Maheish Giri, who, in 2015, wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, urging them to rename Aurangzeb Road. The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) swiftly approved the proposal, and the road was officially renamed after Kalam — a move celebrated by many as a symbolic rejection of Aurangzeb’s legacy.
However, not everyone accepted the change quietly. In September 2015, former Congress MLA Asif Mohammed Khan retaliated by informally renaming a 3-kilometer stretch from Kalindi Kunj to Jamia Nagar as 'Aurangzeb Road.' He described the move as a protest against the NDMC’s decision, framing it as an attempt to preserve what he saw as a part of India's complex, multi-layered history. This counter-renaming became a flashpoint, with supporters praising his defiance while critics accused him of glorifying a tyrant.
Aurangzeb’s name even became a slur in political rhetoric. In 2015, a Shiv Sena MP verbally abused an officer overseeing a demolition drive in Aurangabad — a drive carried out under High Court orders — calling him "Aurangzeb ki aulad" (a descendant of Aurangzeb). The insult reflected how the Mughal emperor’s name has transcended history, becoming a weapon in modern-day political confrontations.
The ongoing battle over Aurangzeb’s legacy in Maharashtra illustrates how historical figures can be reinterpreted, repurposed, and politicized across generations. For many, Aurangzeb symbolizes oppression, religious intolerance, and the brutal execution of Chhatrapati Sambhaji — a lasting wound on Maratha pride. For others, he remains a misunderstood ruler whose administrative prowess and infrastructural contributions have been overshadowed by his controversial policies.
The persistent debates, from renaming roads to demanding the demolition of his tomb, underscore how deeply his legacy remains intertwined with Maharashtra’s political and cultural identity. Whether viewed as a tyrant or an efficient administrator, Aurangzeb’s shadow continues to loom large over the state, ensuring his name will remain a point of contention for years to come.
