Khafi Khan wrote the history of Aurangzeb's reign in total secrecy because of the emperor's opposition to it.

Khafi Khan, also known as Khwaja Nizamuddin Ahmad, was a Persian historian who served as a court historian during the reign of Aurangzeb. He was appointed as the historian of the Mughal court and was responsible for recording the events and achievements of the emperor. However, due to Aurangzeb's disapproval of his work, Khafi Khan had to write the history of Aurangzeb's reign in secret.

Aurangzeb, the sixth Mughal emperor, had a complex and controversial reign. He ruled for nearly 50 years (1658-1707) and is often known for his strict religious policies and expansionist ambitions. Aurangzeb was a devout Muslim and sought to enforce a more orthodox form of Islam throughout the empire. He implemented several measures such as the imposition of the jizya tax on non-Muslims, the destruction of Hindu temples, and the restriction of certain cultural practices.

Due to his strict religious policies and the opposition he faced from various sections of society, Aurangzeb wanted to control the narrative of his reign and present himself in a favorable light. He did not want any critical or unfavorable accounts of his rule to be recorded. This led to his opposition to the writing of a comprehensive history of his reign, as it could potentially reveal the controversies and challenges he faced during his rule.

Khafi Khan, being aware of the emperor's disapproval, decided to write the history of Aurangzeb's reign in secrecy. He maintained utmost caution and discretion to avoid Aurangzeb's attention. This secrecy was crucial to ensure that the emperor would not suppress or censor the historical account.

Khafi Khan's work, known as "Muntakhab-ul-Lubab," meaning "The Selected Gem," provides a detailed and comprehensive account of Aurangzeb's reign. It covers various aspects such as the political events, military campaigns, administrative policies, and religious developments during the emperor's rule.

Despite the challenges and risks associated with writing this history, Khafi Khan managed to complete his work, which has since become an invaluable source for understanding the complexities and nuances of Aurangzeb's reign.