The systematic destruction of Hindu temples was made the official policy by Aurangzeb Alamgir. His rule (1658-1707) signaled a new era, as there were no longer intermittent wartime destructions of the predecessors. Aurangzeb gave an express instruction to massively demolish temples throughout the empire.
His orders are directly known to us through royal decrees (farmans) and contemporary records. The governors of the provinces were ordered to demolish great temples particularly in newly subjugated or insurgent regions. This was a centralized policy, rather than an incidental one. Aurangzeb aimed at the major religious establishments in a bid to flex the Islamic muscle.
This policy is vividly depicted by particular actions. In 1669, Aurangzeb ordered the demolition of Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi; Gyanvapi Mosque was constructed in its place. Similarly, Kesava Deo temple in Mathura was destroyed in 1670 to make way for the Shahi Idgah Mosque. These were strategic moves against major Hindu pilgrimages.
Aurangzeb was mostly driven by religious orthodoxy. He considered destruction of temples as the application of Sharia law and eradication of idolatry. This position was a serious departure to the relative tolerance of the previous Mughal leaders such as Akbar. Aurangzeb was more concerned with religious unity at the expense of imperial unity.
Conclusion:
The destruction of Hindu temples was officially encouraged as a mass campaign by Aurangzeb Alamgir. Under the strict Islamic orthodoxy, he methodically attacked the key places of worship such as Kashi Vishwanath and Kesava Deo, which were recorded via royal decrees. This long term demolition campaign was driven not solely by political expediency but religious zeal. What he has done is a form of state sponsored religious intolerance.
