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Secondary sourceBookc. 1710 (this copy 1763-1764)

Maasir-i-Alamgiri

Saqi Musta'id Khan · c. 1710 (this copy 1763-1764)

The official Persian chronicle of Aurangzeb's whole reign, compiled from court records shortly after his death.

This is the main contemporary chronicle of Aurangzeb's reign, recording his policies and orders.

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Scan of a handwritten page in Persian nastaliq script on aged cream paper, with red ink markings and a red-outlined geometric symbol at the bottom. The left half of the spread is blank. A museum stamp reads National Museum, New-Delhi.
Saqi Musta'id Khan, Maasir-i-Alamgiri, compiled c. 1710. National Museum, New Delhi.

About this source

What it is

The Maasir-i-Alamgiri is a Persian-language chronicle written by Saqi Musta'id Khan, a court official under Emperor Aurangzeb. Compiled around 1710, shortly after Aurangzeb's death, it was based on court records. The manuscript shown here is dated 1177 AH (1763-1764 CE) and is held at the National Museum, New Delhi.

Why it matters

This chronicle is the main source historians use for the details of Aurangzeb's reign, including his military campaigns, administrative orders, the destruction of some temples, and the reimposition of the jizya tax on non-Muslims. Because it was written by an official close to the court, it reflects how the Mughal state wanted the reign remembered, which makes it valuable but also something to read critically.

Why it matters

Look closer

  • Why might a chronicle written for the court present Aurangzeb's actions in a particular light?
  • What kinds of events does an official chronicle like this tend to leave out?
  • How does knowing the chronicler worked for the court change how you read his descriptions of controversial policies?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Aurangzeb on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Front view of the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore: red sandstone facade with three large white marble domes, tall minarets with white domed kiosks, a central arched entrance, and a wide red paved courtyard with a few people walking.Artifact

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Badshahi Mosque

1671–1673

Open manuscript volume in Arabic script on aged cream paper. Left page has dense black text in a block within a ruled border. Right page has an illuminated gold and blue arched frontispiece with floral motifs, below which is a column of handwritten Arabic text with red headings. Handwritten English note in the margin reads 'Fatawa Alengiri Vol. II'.Document

Primary source

Fatawa-i Alamgiri Manuscript

17th century (this copy later recopied)

Letter

Primary source

Ruka'at-i-Alamgiri

Aurangzeb · 17th century

Open manuscript on reddish-brown paper with dense black Persian-style script in vertical columns. On the right page, an ornate gold and floral illuminated frame with a blue arched panel surrounds a small text box.Letter

Primary source

Zafarnamah

Guru Gobind Singh · 1705

Mughal miniature painting of a royal elephant hunt on a wide plain. A large grey elephant with gold trappings and a mahout charges toward a rider on a white horse in the center. Mounted and foot soldiers, a second elephant with smoke puffs, and a walled city with domes in the background fill the scene.Painting

Primary source

Prince Aurangzeb Facing the Maddened Elephant Sudhakar

Attributed to Payag (Mughal court artist) · c. 1635

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