I can conclude from my little knowledge that controversial historical icons will forever remain controversial ! : )

Pl display the names of the administrators of this site as the display of aurangazeb in public content is controversial, because he was also cause for many wrong things that you should also display!

When I visited this tomb in the 1980s the caretaker pointed out a tulsi plant (sacred to Hindus) growing among the grass on the grave.

well said RBSI! no one can defend his acts but u cant ignore him!

Balaji Atluri: If I understand you correctly, you want every mention of Aurangzeb, and presumably every other person for whom you have a dislike, to be accompanied by a list of all their bad deeds? I'm sure you're a fair person and would want all their good deeds to be listed as well. You don't think that will make life rather difficult?

@allen I just requested the names of the administrator to be displayed ,as the link in the info is coming to this page. I like to check the info not aurangazeb who is no more!!

From what I have read about Aurangzeb's grave, this picture is nothing like how it looks today. Apparently the Nizam had a delicate marble railing constructed around it and a silver door installed. By requesting a simple grave, Aurangzeb was being as hypocritical and devious in his death as he was in his life. In such positions, people should be recognized not by their words but by the consequences of their presence in this world.

Asad: Your last two sentences were great.Thanks.

I have mixed feelings about Aurangzeb. The Mughal emperors were such a mixed bunch...they could be vicious, yet had a soft and generous streak at the same time. Take Shah Jehan, for example. He was cruel and autocratic, yet built the Taj....poetry in stone. My favourite of them all, is Jehangir. :)

Jahangir is known to like killing (people) for joy... He inherited a strong empire and died an undisputed emperor. I read about Dara Shikoh (Auranjeb's eldest brother) in Amar Chitra Katha comics and he has remained a loved character since...

Jehangir was the best--a Great Begum--Noorjehan---a Great Empire--courtesy Big Daddy-Akbar--a large harem--plenty of sons-both legit/il-legit-un-ending supply of grass/hash/opium--what more can an Emperor want--plus a dandy Empress who ran the Empire like a ?roulette table?

Kanu, I didn't say that he was the best emperor, just that he is a favourite of mine. Or rather, I like best the history surrounding him. What amuses me about him is his early relationship with the British...some hilarious tales about his encounters with Sir Thomas Roe. He was also, like his forebears, an alcoholic. Nur Jehan probably liked him to be drunk, as she would have been able to do pretty much as she liked while he was "in his cups". So far as begums go, however, was she really any worse than Mumtaz Mahal, who we tend to view through a haze of romance?

Hey Lynne--BEST not in the sense of top-dog--but being privileged and having the world at your feet.

as a HUGE, HUGE, HUGE fan of Shivaji and all that i can find to read about Shivaji, it is interesting to me to see that Aurangzeb, who is portrayed as so severe a villain in the books i've read, seems to have been sincere in his spiritual beliefs. very interesting!

Aurangzeb was a controversial figure indeed but its a pity that most Indians dont know about Dara Shikoh aurangzeb's elder brother who loved Hindus and Hinduism. History would have been different if Dara Shikoh had been the King

Lynne Hadley: I was surprised to read your comment about Shah Jahan that "he was cruel and autocratic". Yes, they were all autocratic, but I have never seen any reference to Shah Jahan's cruelty. Could you kindly give me the reference. Thank you.

No worries, Ahmed. I shall dig it out.

Actually Jahangir may have been more cruel than Shah Jahan. He used to keep a lion in the hall when giving public audiences. For most heinous crimes, he would pass judgement and have the lion take care of the poor wretch instantly. Once a courtier, anxious to show off, came to the royal court wearing a tiger skin (from a tiger that he had killed recently). Jahangir immediately picked up his musket and shot him dead for fear that the tiger skin might excite the lion!