On September 6, 1657, the deteriorating health of Emperor Shah Jahan ignited a fierce contest for supremacy among the four Mughal princes, with only Dara Shikoh and Aurangzeb realistically positioned to claim victory. Shah Shuja was the first to act, proclaiming himself Mughal Emperor in Bengal and advancing towards Agra from the east. Meanwhile, Murad Baksh formed an alliance with Aurangzeb. Following his defeat, Dara Shikoh retreated from Agra to Delhi and subsequently to Lahore.
Deceived by Malik Jeevan
He faced a decisive defeat at the Battle of Deorai, near Ajmer, on March 11, 1659. Following this setback, he fled to Sindh, seeking refuge with Malik Jeevan (Junaid Khan Barozai), an Afghan chieftain whom he had previously saved from Shah Jahan’s wrath. Nevertheless, Junaid betrayed Dara Shikoh, capturing him and informing Aurangzeb of his capture. Aurangzeb subsequently dispatched his forces to Malik Jeevan’s location, resulting in Dara Shikoh’s capture on June 10, 1659.
Killed Many Times
Dara Shikoh was transported to Delhi, where he was paraded through the streets of the capital on a filthy elephant, bound in chains. The determination of Dara Shikoh’s fate stemmed from the political threat he represented as a prince favored by the populace. In response to the perceived risk of insurrection in Delhi, Aurangzeb convened a gathering of nobles and clergy, who declared Dara Shikoh a menace to public order and an apostate from Islam. Ultimately, he was executed by four of Aurangzeb’s enforcers.
Dara Shikoh was murdered by four of Aurangzeb’s assassins in the presence of his frightened son on the night of 30 August 1659 . Following his death, Dara Shikoh’s remains were interred in an unmarked grave within Humayun’s tomb in Delhi at the age of 59.
After Dara was captured, Aurangzeb commanded his men to bring him the severed head for inspection, ensuring it was indeed Dara’s. Subsequently, Aurangzeb further disfigured the head with his sword three times. He then ordered that the head be placed in a box and presented to his ailing father, Shah Jahan, with explicit instructions for delivery only when the elderly king was seated for dinner in his confinement. The guards were also directed to inform Shah Jahan that, “King Aurangzeb, your son, sends this plate to remind you that he has not forgotten you.” Unaware of the contents of the box, Shah Jahan expressed joy, exclaiming, “Blessed be God that my son still remembers me.” However, upon opening the box, he was met with horror and fainted.