BE 15: Aurangzeb’s Reply to Zafarnama: A Tyrant’s Tremble Before Truth

BE 14: Zafarnama: The Victory Letter ... BE 16: Fatehnama: The Lion’s Final Ro...

BE 15: Aurangzeb’s Reply to Zafarnama: A Tyrant’s Tremble Before Truth

In the hot, dusty city of Ahmednagar in the Deccan, far from the blood-soaked fields of Punjab, an old man sat on a golden throne. His name was Islamic Invader Aurangzeb. For 49 years, he had ruled with iron and fire. He had destroyed thousands of Hindu temples. He had forced jizya tax on the poor. He had ordered little boys bricked alive. He had broken oaths sworn on the Quran.

But now, in 1706, something shook him.

A letter had arrived.
Not from an army.
Not from a king.
But from Guru Gobind Singh Ji—the Lion of Punjab, the Saint-Soldier, the Tenth Master of the Sikhs.

It was the Zafarnama—the Letter of Victory.
And it burned like fire in Aurangzeb’s hands.

Let us walk through Aurangzeb’s reply letter—a rare moment when a wolf in human skin tried to speak like a man. We will see the spiritual height of Indian faith and the lowly fear of a cruel heart.

The Background: Why Did Aurangzeb Reply?

After the Battle of Muktsar (1705), Guru Gobind Singh wrote the Zafarnama in Dina village.
He sent it through Bhai Daya Singh and Bhai Dharam Singh—two brave Khalsa warriors—who rode over 1,200 miles through deserts, forests, and enemy lands.

They reached Aurangzeb’s court in 1706.
The old invader was 88. Sick. Weak. His empire was cracking. His sons were fighting like dogs. His soldiers were losing in the Deccan.

When the letter was read aloud in his durbar, silence fell.
No music. No laughter.
Just the voice of truth.

Aurangzeb did not arrest the messengers.
He did not burn the letter.
He wrote a reply.

This reply is preserved in Sikh history (as per SikhiWiki and Dasam Granth sources). It is short. It is weak. It is full of fear disguised as respect.

The Reply Letter: Word by Word, Heart by Heart

Aurangzeb wrote in Persian, the language of his court.
Here is the full reply, translated simply into English and beautiful meaning for every soul.

Opening: A King Pretends to Be Humble

Aurangzeb wrote:
“I have received your letter. I have read it with attention. I am old and weak. I regret the past.”

Simple Meaning:
The man who ordered thousands of temples destroyed, who beheaded Guru Tegh Bahadur, who bricked little boys alive—now says: “I am old. I am sorry.”

But where is the apology for the blood?
Where is the return of stolen lands?
Where is the justice for raped women and burned villages?

This is not regret. This is fear.
Fear of Hari. Fear of death. Fear of the truth he could not kill.

The Invitation: A Trick or a Tremble?

Aurangzeb wrote:
“Come to me in the Deccan. Let us meet and talk. I will make amends. I swear by Allah.”

Simple Meaning:
He invites Guru Gobind Singh to his camp.
He says: “Let us be friends.”

But remember:
He swore on the Quran at Anandpur and attacked children.He promised safety and sent assassins.He lied before, he can lie again.
Guru Gobind was wise. He did not trust a snake that sheds skin but keeps venom.
He replied later: “I will come—but only when justice walks with me.”

The Excuse: Blaming Others

Aurangzeb wrote:
“I did not order the attack on your family. It was Wazir Khan and the hill Rajas. I was far away.”

Simple Meaning:
This is the lowest lie.
Who sent Wazir Khan? Aurangzeb.Who paid the hill Rajas? Aurangzeb.Who wrote farmans saying: “Crush the Sikhs”? Aurangzeb.
He ruled with letters, spies, and gold.
He knew every scream from Sirhind.
He celebrated when the boys were bricked.

Now? He says: “It wasn’t me.”
Like a child caught stealing, pointing at his shadow.

The Closing: A Dying Man’s Fear

Aurangzeb wrote:
“I am ill. My time is near. Pray for me.”

Simple Meaning:
The man who never prayed for the mothers he widowed,
The man who never cared for the temples he burned,
Now begs a Sikh Guru for prayer.

Why?
Because he saw death coming.
He saw Hari’s court.
He saw the little boys standing as witnesses.
He saw Guru Tegh Bahadur’s head smiling in light.

He was afraid.

What Guru Gobind Singh Did Next

Guru Gobind did not hate.
He did not curse.
He forgave—but with wisdom.

He wrote back (in the Fatehnama):

“I will meet you—but only if you stop the cruelty. Return the stolen. Free the oppressed. Then, we talk.”

Aurangzeb never changed.
He died in 1707, alone, in pain, his body swollen, his mind haunted.
His sons fought over the throne like jackals over bones.
His empire fell apart.

The Beauty of Indian Soul vs. the Darkness of TyrannyIndian Soul (Hindus & Sikhs)Islamic Tyrant (Aurangzeb)Speaks truth even in warLies on holy bookFights to protectKills to convertForgives with justiceBegs with fearLoves Hari in every heartFears Hari in his last breathBuilds gurdwaras, templesDestroys temples, homesDies with “Waheguru”Dies with regretZafarnama & Reply: A Song of Victory

The Zafarnama was fire.
Aurangzeb’s reply was smoke—weak, fading, full of lies.

But truth?
Truth is Indian.
Truth is Hari.
Truth is the Khalsa marching on.

Every time you say “Satnam Waheguru”,
You are reading the Zafarnama.
Every time you stand for justice,
You are answering Aurangzeb.