One of the most famous stories is about his conflict with Shivaji. Shivaji was a powerful Maratha leader. Aurangzeb considered him a rebel. Aurangzeb tried to capture Shivaji multiple times. Shivaji, on the other hand, was very clever and managed to escape from Aurangzeb's clutches on several occasions. This cat - and - mouse game between them is well - known in Indian history.
Perhaps the story of Aurangzeb's strict religious policies is also very famous. He imposed Jizya tax on non - Muslims. This was a very controversial move. It led to a lot of unrest among the Hindu population. His destruction of some Hindu temples also became a significant part of his story that is often told. It shows how his religious fanaticism had an impact on the social and political fabric of the Mughal Empire.
Here's another aspect of Aurangzeb's story. Aurangzeb was known for his ascetic lifestyle compared to some of his predecessors. He was deeply religious. But his religious orthodoxy made it difficult for him to tolerate other faiths as freely as some earlier Mughal emperors had. This created a rift in the diverse fabric of the Mughal Empire. His policies towards the Rajputs also turned many of them against the Mughal rule, which was a significant factor in the empire's decline.
The story of 'Panchatantra' is extremely famous. It is a collection of inter - related animal fables. These fables are full of wisdom, teaching valuable lessons about life, friendship, and cunningness. Each story in Panchatantra has characters like the fox, the deer, the lion etc., which through their actions and interactions convey important morals.
The most famous one might be the story about weighing the elephant. Akbar got an elephant as a gift and wanted to know its weight. His wise men were clueless. But Birbal had a brilliant idea. He got a boat, made the elephant stand in it and marked the water level. Then he removed the elephant and filled the boat with stones until the water reached the same mark. Then they weighed the stones and that was the weight of the elephant.
I think the story of Savitri and Satyavan is the most famous Karva Chauth Hindi story. This story has deep roots in Hindu mythology. Savitri's love was not just ordinary love. She showed extraordinary courage and tenacity. On the day when Satyavan was supposed to die, she followed Yama and through her arguments, she was able to get her husband's life back. This story is often associated with Karva Chauth because it showcases the kind of devotion a wife should have towards her husband. Women who observe Karva Chauth often look up to Savitri as an example of a loving and devoted wife.
Another very famous story is when Akbar challenges Birbal to spend all the money he gives in one day but also bring back all the items bought at the end of the day. Birbal buys candles with the money. At night, he lights up the whole city with the candles. People are so happy that they give him many gifts. He returns to Akbar with the gifts which he claims are the items bought with the money. This story is popular as it shows Birbal's resourcefulness.
Probably the story where Tenali Rama fools the thieves. Thieves planned to rob his house. But Tenali Rama, being clever, made them believe that his house was haunted. He created spooky noises and made it seem like there were ghosts. The thieves got so scared that they ran away. It shows his ability to use his wits to protect himself and his family.
'Madhushala' by Harivansh Rai Bachchan is a famous Hindi novel. It uses the metaphor of a wine house ('madhushala') to talk about life, love, and human experiences in a very profound and lyrical way. The verses are beautifully crafted and have a certain charm that has attracted generations of readers.
It could be that Aurangzeb met a beautiful and intelligent woman during one of his travels. She might have been from a local noble family. He was immediately attracted to her grace and knowledge. But due to his duties and the political situation, he had to keep his feelings in check for a long time. Eventually, he might have made her one of his wives and they had a relationship based on mutual understanding within the boundaries of the Mughal court's norms.
Another well - known Hindi novel is 'Raag Darbari' by Shrilal Shukla. This novel is a satirical take on the rural power structure, politics, and the corrupt practices prevalent in the villages. It's a very engaging read as it shows the complex web of relationships and power play at the local level. The characters are well - drawn and the narrative style is quite vivid, which makes it a classic in Hindi literature.
One of his most famous works is 'Godaan'. It's a story that vividly depicts the life of a poor peasant. The protagonist's struggle to own a cow is a central theme and it shows the economic and social pressures on the rural poor.