In 1680, Aurangzeb set out for South India with a massive army, accompanied by his entire harem and all his sons, except one. As described in Audrey Truschke's biography Aurangzeb, the Man and the Myth, the sight was grand—an army of tents, markets, and the emperor's caravan, with officers and servants in tow. However, Aurangzeb was different from other Mughal emperors; once he moved to the south, he never returned to Delhi. The city fell into desolation, and a thick layer of dust covered the Red Fort.

Loneliness in Old Age

Aurangzeb spent the last three decades of his life in South India, leading battles and sieges himself. Bhimsen Saxena, a Hindu soldier in his army, wrote in Tarikh-e-Dilkusha that despite ruling a vast empire, Aurangzeb's desire for conquest remained insatiable, to the point of obsessively chasing after forts. The final years of his rule were marked by personal loneliness, as one by one, his close companions passed away. Only his minister Asad Khan remained, and when Aurangzeb looked around his court, he saw only jealous and sycophantic courtiers.

Disappointment in His Sons

By the time of his death, Aurangzeb had three sons still alive, but none had the capability to inherit the throne. In a letter from the early 18th century, he criticized his second son, Muazzam, for failing to conquer Qandahar, even remarking that it was better to have a daughter than a "worthless son." Aurangzeb failed to realize that his interference in his sons’ lives had weakened their autonomy. Over time, he even began to favor his grandsons over his sons, and at one point, his youngest son, Kambaksh, was arrested by his own courtiers for attempting to make contact with the Maratha king, Rajaram, without his father's permission.

The Loss of Loved Ones

Aurangzeb’s old age was filled with the grief of losing many of his close family members. His daughter-in-law Jahanzeb Bano died in March 1705, and his rebellious son Akbar II died in Iran in 1704. In 1702, his poet daughter Zeb-un-Nisa passed away, followed by his sister Gauhar-Ara. The deaths of these loved ones deeply shook Aurangzeb, who remarked, "Among Shah Jahan's children, only he and I survived." In 1706, his daughter Mehr-un-Nisa and son-in-law Izid Baksh died, followed by his grandson Buland Akhtar shortly before his death. Two other grandsons passed away, but his courtiers withheld the news from him, fearing it would devastate him further.

Drought and Plague

At the same time, the region was hit by a severe drought between 1702 and 1704, followed by a devastating plague that killed around two million people. As described by Italian traveler Nicolao Manucci in Storia do Mogor, the situation was dire. Fields were abandoned, and the bodies of the dead were hastily buried, often without any regard for dignity. The stench of death filled the air, and the entire region became depopulated.

Udaipuri: His Last Companion

In his final days, Aurangzeb found solace in the company of Udaipuri, the mother of his youngest son, Kambaksh. He wrote a letter to Kambaksh, expressing gratitude that Udaipuri had stayed by his side through his illness and would remain with him in death. Indeed, shortly after Aurangzeb’s passing, Udaipuri also passed away.

Revolt and Decline

Aurangzeb’s prolonged absence from the north led to unrest. The Rajputs, Jats, and Sikhs began revolting, while the Marathas also became emboldened to attack the Mughal army. The Mughal army’s morale sank, and the empire's vast territories became difficult to govern. As historian Abraham Eraly noted, Aurangzeb's territorial expansion weakened the empire, and the weight of ruling such an enormous empire caused its collapse. Aurangzeb himself predicted, "Anarchy after me."

The Succession Struggle

The question of succession became critical in Aurangzeb’s final days. His sons were all aging, and his grandsons, though younger, were in their mid-twenties or older. The struggle for power between Aurangzeb’s sons began even before his death. When Aurangzeb fell ill in 1705, his son Azam was sent to govern Malwa, but he delayed his departure. Soon after, the emperor’s health worsened, but he insisted on holding court and praying five times a day despite his condition.

Aurangzeb's Death

On March 3, 1707, after praying in the morning, Aurangzeb began to feel weak and eventually lost consciousness, but he continued to hold the beads of his rosary until his last breath. He had wished to die on a Friday, and his wish was granted. Aurangzeb’s last request was for his body to be buried without a coffin, and he was laid to rest beside the tomb of Sufi saint Sheikh Zain-ud-Din in Khuldabad, near Daulatabad.

The War Between His Sons

Shortly after Aurangzeb’s death, his son Azam declared himself emperor. However, Shah Alam, another son, reached Agra first and was hailed by the people. The two brothers clashed in the Battle of Jajau, where Shah Alam emerged victorious. Azam committed suicide after his defeat, and Shah Alam assumed the throne. However, Shah Alam himself died in 1712, just five years after his father.

The Fall of the Mughal Empire

In the years following Aurangzeb’s death, the Mughal Empire saw rapid decline. Between 1712 and 1719, four emperors ascended the throne, whereas, in the previous 150 years, only four emperors had ruled. Aurangzeb’s successors failed to maintain the empire, and after surviving for about 150 years, the Mughal Empire eventually fell with the deposition of Bahadur Shah Zafar in 1857.

Despite his military achievements, Aurangzeb was politically unsuccessful, and many historians, including Jadunath Sarkar, believe that his reign played a significant role in the empire’s eventual decline. The Mughal Empire, once a dominant power, gradually faded into history after his death.