How Dara Shikho Was Executed?

The Brutal Execution of Dara Shikoh: A Tragic End to a Mughal Prince

Dara Shikoh, the eldest son of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and the heir-apparent to the throne, met a brutal and humiliating end at the hands of his own brother, Aurangzeb. His execution in 1659 remains one of the most tragic episodes in Mughal history, marking the triumph of ruthless ambition over intellectual and spiritual liberalism. This article delves into the events leading to his downfall, his capture, and his brutal execution.

Dara Shikoh: The Philosopher Prince

Dara Shikoh was born in 1615 to Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. From an early age, he was known for his intellectual pursuits, liberal views, and interest in philosophy, particularly Sufism and Hindu spirituality. Unlike his orthodox younger brother Aurangzeb, Dara was deeply fascinated by the Upanishads, which he translated into Persian, believing they contained universal wisdom. He sought to build bridges between Hinduism and Islam, advocating for religious harmony.

However, his progressive ideology and close association with Hindu scholars made him unpopular among the orthodox Muslim clergy. His father, Shah Jahan, favored him as the rightful successor, but his lack of military experience and perceived religious unorthodoxy provided his opponents, especially Aurangzeb, with ammunition to discredit him.

The Mughal War of Succession

In 1657, Shah Jahan fell seriously ill, triggering a brutal war of succession among his four sons—Dara Shikoh, Aurangzeb, Shuja, and Murad. While Dara was the designated heir, his brothers saw him as weak and unfit to rule. Aurangzeb, a skilled military strategist with a strong support base among orthodox factions, seized the opportunity to challenge Dara.

In 1658, the decisive battle of Samugarh took place between Dara and Aurangzeb. Despite commanding a large army, Dara’s forces were decisively defeated due to strategic errors and betrayal. He fled towards Gujarat, hoping to regroup, but his fortunes continued to decline. By early 1659, he was on the run, moving from one place to another in a desperate attempt to escape Aurangzeb’s forces.

The Betrayal and Capture

Dara Shikoh’s fate was sealed when he sought refuge with Malik Jiwan, a noble whom he had once favored. However, in a tragic twist of fate, Malik Jiwan betrayed him to Aurangzeb. Dara and his son, Sipihr Shikoh, were captured and taken to Delhi in chains.

Aurangzeb, who sought legitimacy for his rule, subjected Dara to a humiliating parade through the streets of Delhi. The once-regal prince, dressed in tattered clothes and chained like a common criminal, was mocked and jeered at by the public. This was a calculated move by Aurangzeb to strip Dara of his royal dignity and eliminate any remaining sympathy for him.

The Sham Trial

Aurangzeb, determined to justify Dara’s execution, arranged for a trial under the pretext of religious blasphemy and political rebellion. Orthodox clerics, who saw Dara as a heretic due to his interest in Hindu philosophy and Sufism, declared him an apostate. He was accused of distorting Islamic beliefs and associating too closely with Hindus.

Despite his eloquent defense, the trial was a mere formality. Aurangzeb had already decided his fate. The court declared him guilty, and the verdict was death. However, Aurangzeb hesitated for a brief moment, knowing that executing his elder brother could provoke resistance. But political calculations and pressure from hardline factions convinced him to proceed with the execution.

The Brutal Execution

On the night of August 30, 1659, Dara Shikoh was taken to Khizrabad, a remote area in Delhi, where his execution was carried out in the most gruesome manner. Unlike royal executions that were swift and dignified, Dara’s death was deliberately brutal.

Four executioners were sent to his prison cell. As they entered, Dara, realizing his fate, is said to have put up a struggle, but he was overpowered. In a horrifying act, he was hacked to death, his body cut into pieces. His head was severed and placed in a dish, which was then sent to Aurangzeb as proof of his death.

According to accounts, Aurangzeb ordered Dara’s head to be presented to his imprisoned father, Shah Jahan, as a final act of cruelty. When the old emperor saw his beloved son’s severed head, he is said to have wept inconsolably, his spirit broken beyond repair.

The Aftermath

Dara’s mutilated body was buried hastily in an unmarked grave in Humayun’s tomb, a stark contrast to the grand mausoleums of other Mughal royals. His execution sent shockwaves through the empire. Many nobles and common people, despite his previous unpopularity among the orthodox, were appalled by the savagery of his killing.

Aurangzeb’s ruthless consolidation of power did not end with Dara’s death. He systematically eliminated all his brothers—Murad was executed, and Shuja was likely killed in Burma. Shah Jahan was imprisoned in Agra Fort until his death in 1666. Aurangzeb’s reign, though long and powerful, was marked by continuous warfare and religious intolerance, setting the Mughal Empire on a path of decline.

Legacy of Dara Shikoh

Dara Shikoh remains a tragic figure in Indian history—a prince who dreamed of religious unity but fell victim to political intrigue and religious orthodoxy. His intellectual contributions, particularly his translations of Hindu scriptures, continue to be studied today. Many historians believe that had he ascended the throne, India’s history might have taken a different course—perhaps one of greater religious harmony.

His execution symbolized the triumph of extremism over moderation, and the scars of that episode can still be seen in the religious divides that persist in the subcontinent. While Aurangzeb ruled for nearly 50 years, his legacy remains controversial, whereas Dara is remembered as a visionary who paid the ultimate price for his ideals.

Conclusion

The brutal execution of Dara Shikoh was not just the death of a prince; it was the silencing of a voice that sought unity over division, knowledge over ignorance, and tolerance over fanaticism. His tragic fate stands as a reminder of how history is often shaped by power struggles, and how the most enlightened minds can sometimes be the first to fall in times of darkness.