Page:Aurangzíb and the Decay of the Mughal Empire.djvu/144

138 the first destruction of Hindú temples in 1669 with the imposition of the hated jizya or poll-tax on unbelievers, a few years later. The revolt of the Satnámís is one of the few links that have been preserved by the secret chroniclers, who were naturally disinclined to soil their pens with the doings of 'unclean infidels.' Another event is the rash interference of the Emperor in the matter of Jaswant Singh's children.

The death of a powerful Rája would naturally lead to a fresh encroachment against the Hindús, and the desire of Aurangzíb to meddle in the family affairs of the Rájputs is a sign that he felt himself strong enough to impose a strict Muhammadan rule all over India. He was not deterred by the hostile demonstrations which the re-imposition of the hated poll-tax aroused at Delhi. In vain the people wailed and cursed around the palace. Aurangzíb had by this time abandoned the salutary custom of appearing at stated hours before his subjects at the levee window: the adulation of the multitude savoured of idolatry to his puritanical mind. But seclude himself as he might – and thereby lose the sensitive touch of the populace which had been his father's strength – he could not shut his eyes to the uproar which the new enactment excited. When he