Paper short abstract:

Besides the relationship of Aurangzeb with the Nath Yogis of Jakhbar monastery, the figure of the Moghul appears in a few legends where he is or a vilain opponent or a faithful but clumsy and misguided devotee. This paper intends to explore the various parts he played in the Nath representations

Paper long abstract:

The Moghul emperor Aurangzeb figures in some legendary accounts collected among the Nath Yogis. However the part he plays in these stories may be quite different and diversify the common image of the vilain opponent to Hindus. Besides his close and well documented connection with the Yogis of Jakhbar monastery (Goswami and Grewal), Aurangzeb is sometimes depicted by the Yogis as a faithful but clumsy and misguided devotee of Gorakhnath. This paper intends to explore the various parts played by Aurangzeb in the Nath representations and traditions. One may wonder also if, in these narratives, Aurangzeb as such is taken into consideration or if he is not a metonymy for the encompassing category of « badshah ».