Why Did Aurangzeb Send Dara Shikoh’s Head to Shah Jahan?

The execution of Dara Shikoh and the subsequent presentation of his severed head to Shah Jahan remains one of the most gruesome and tragic episodes in Mughal history. This act was not merely an expression of cruelty but was driven by strategic, political, and psychological motives. Aurangzeb, known for his ruthlessness in consolidating power, ensured that his father, the deposed Emperor Shah Jahan, received his beloved son’s severed head in a dish. This article delves into the reasons behind this act, drawing from historical evidence, Mughal records, and contemporary accounts.

Background: The Mughal Succession War

The struggle for the Mughal throne began in 1657 when Emperor Shah Jahan fell seriously ill. His four sons—Dara Shikoh, Aurangzeb, Shuja, and Murad—fought for control over the empire.

Dara Shikoh, the eldest and Shah Jahan’s favorite, was designated as the heir-apparent. He was a scholar, a philosopher, and an advocate of religious syncretism. However, his liberal views and close association with Hindu saints and scholars alienated the orthodox Islamic factions, including his younger brother Aurangzeb.

Aurangzeb, determined to claim the throne, portrayed himself as a champion of Islam and accused Dara of heresy. After defeating him in the Battle of Samugarh in 1658, Aurangzeb declared himself emperor. Dara fled but was eventually captured in Sindh in 1659, brought to Delhi in chains, and executed on Aurangzeb’s orders.

The most shocking part of this episode was Aurangzeb’s decision to send Dara Shikoh’s severed head to their father, Shah Jahan, who was imprisoned in Agra Fort.

Reasons Why Aurangzeb Sent Dara’s Head to Shah Jahan

1. To Eliminate Any Hope for Shah Jahan

Shah Jahan had been imprisoned by Aurangzeb in Agra Fort since 1658. Although stripped of his power, he remained a symbol of legitimacy in the eyes of many nobles and supporters of Dara Shikoh. As long as Shah Jahan was alive, he could continue to believe that Dara might reclaim the throne.

By sending Dara’s head, Aurangzeb crushed any remaining hope Shah Jahan had. He ensured that his father saw undeniable proof that his beloved son was dead and that there was no possibility of his return. This was a calculated move to break Shah Jahan’s spirit and prevent him from rallying support against Aurangzeb.

2. To Demonstrate Finality in the Power Struggle

The Mughal Empire had a brutal tradition of succession wars, where brothers often fought to the death. However, the presentation of a severed head was a deliberate and symbolic act of absolute dominance.

• The Maasir-i-Alamgiri, an official chronicle of Aurangzeb’s reign, states that the head was first brought before Aurangzeb as proof of Dara’s execution and then sent to Shah Jahan to remove all doubts.
• François Bernier, a French traveler and physician at Aurangzeb’s court, confirmed in Travels in the Mughal Empire that this was done to solidify Aurangzeb’s position as the undisputed ruler.

By presenting Dara’s head, Aurangzeb ensured there was no question of a power struggle continuing. This act sent a clear message to all potential rebels or supporters of Dara that resistance was futile.

3. To Justify Dara’s Execution on Religious Grounds

Aurangzeb justified Dara Shikoh’s execution by branding him an apostate. Dara had translated the Upanishads into Persian and engaged in philosophical discussions with Hindu scholars. Aurangzeb used these actions to accuse him of blasphemy, a charge that justified his execution in the eyes of orthodox Islamic scholars. Aurangzeb was religious bigot with no tolerance for other great faiths.

By sending Dara’s head to Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb reinforced the claim that his actions were not just about political power but also about religious duty.

• Mirat-ul-Alam, another Mughal chronicle, records that Aurangzeb wanted to show Shah Jahan that his chosen heir was a heretic who deserved his fate.
• Niccolao Manucci, an Italian traveler, also documented that Aurangzeb justified his brother’s killing by framing it as a religious necessity.

This move was aimed at further weakening Shah Jahan, who had always supported Dara’s policies of religious tolerance.

4. Psychological Warfare Against Shah Jahan

Aurangzeb was not just waging a political battle but also a psychological one. He knew that Shah Jahan’s greatest weakness was his love for Dara Shikoh. By sending his severed head, Aurangzeb struck a deep psychological blow, ensuring that Shah Jahan’s remaining years in captivity were filled with grief and despair.

Accounts suggest that when Shah Jahan saw Dara’s head, he was devastated:

• Khafi Khan’s Muntakhab-ul-Lubab describes how Shah Jahan, in tears, washed his son’s severed head with rose water and fainted from shock.
• European travelers, including Bernier and Manucci, recorded that Shah Jahan was so broken by this event that his health rapidly declined afterward.

Aurangzeb’s intent was clear—he wanted to weaken his father emotionally and mentally, ensuring he posed no further threat.

5. To Prevent Future Legitimacy Claims

Despite Dara’s death, there were still loyalists who believed he was the rightful ruler. By sending the head to Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb removed any possibility of someone later claiming that Dara had survived. This was an effective way of closing any potential avenues for rebellion.

Moreover, by making Shah Jahan himself acknowledge the death of Dara, Aurangzeb further legitimized his rule.

6. To Send a Message to Potential Rivals

The presentation of Dara’s head was not just a message to Shah Jahan but also to the entire empire. It served as a warning to any noble, courtier, or prince who might have entertained the thought of challenging Aurangzeb.

Aurangzeb’s rule was marked by strict discipline and suppression of opposition. By demonstrating such brutality towards his own family, he made it clear that he would tolerate no dissent, even from those closest to him.

Conclusion

Aurangzeb’s decision to send Dara Shikoh’s severed head to Shah Jahan was not an act of mere cruelty; it was a calculated political move designed to achieve multiple objectives. It eliminated any lingering hope Shah Jahan had, reinforced Aurangzeb’s claim to the throne, justified Dara’s execution on religious grounds, and served as psychological warfare against his imprisoned father.

Historical records—from Mughal sources like Maasir-i-Alamgiri, Mirat-ul-Alam, and Muntakhab-ul-Lubab, as well as European travelers like François Bernier and Niccolao Manucci—corroborate the details of this grim event.

Ultimately, this act played a crucial role in Aurangzeb’s consolidation of power. However, it also marked the decline of the Mughal Empire’s syncretic traditions, as Aurangzeb’s rigid orthodoxy took center stage. While Aurangzeb ruled for nearly half a century, his reign was filled with constant rebellions and unrest, making his ruthless tactics a double-edged sword.

The tragic fate of Dara Shikoh and the heart-wrenching grief of Shah Jahan remain a testament to the brutal politics of the Mughal court, where power often came at an unimaginable human cost.