Aurangzeb had proved himself a capable commander and administrator as a prince. He was certainly a successful military strategist and practical statesmen than his brothers who contended against him for the throne that gave him success against all of them.
Aurangzeb, the third son of Shah Jahan, was born on 21 October 1618, at Dohad, on the frontier of Gujarat and Rajputana. He was younger than Dara Shikoh and Shuja, but in competence and character he easily excelled them. He was industrious, far seeing and thorough. He had distinguished himself as an able administrator. During the long years that he spent in the Deccan and other provinces of the Empire. He was a fearless soldier and a skilful general and in his dealing with men he was cool and cautious. Even as a prince, Auranzeb was known for his devotion to Muslim religion and observance of Islamic injunctions. Auranzeb referred in some of his letters written to Shah Jahan during the war of succession that he was acting for the sake of the true faith and the peace of the realm. As soon as he was secure on the throne, he started the introduction of reforms which would make his domain a proper Muslim State. After his coronation he issued orders which were calculated to please the orthodox. In the economic sphere he showed a determined opposition to all illegal exactions and all the taxes which were not authorized by Islamic law. Immediately after his coronation, he abolished inland transport duty ( rahdari ) amounting to 10% of the value of goods and the octori ( Pandari) on all articles of food and drink brought for the sale into the cities. These measures gave relief to the people and were popular.
Aurangzeb took early to tighten up the administration, a period of strong government began. Everywhere the provincial viceroys began to assert imperial prestige. Energetic Subedars extended the boundaries of the empire to Assam. Local notables found out that disobedience of orders would be tolerated no longer. The border tribes were taught that no violation of the imperial frontier would unpunished.