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Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb has his brother and competitor Dara Shikoh executed

Image: Collected

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On 30 August 1659, Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb had his brother Dara Shikoh executed on religious grounds, sealing his power but darkening the empire's future

Desk Report

Publisted at 9:04 AM, Fri Aug 30th, 2024

On 30 August 1659, the Mughal Empire witnessed a grim spectacle as Dara Shikoh, the erudite and philosophical elder brother of Emperor Aurangzeb, was executed under the latter’s orders.

Dara, once a beloved contender for the throne, had espoused a vision of syncretism, seeking to bridge Hindu and Islamic traditions.

However, Aurangzeb, driven by an unwavering belief in orthodox Islam and a fierce determination to consolidate power, branded Dara a heretic.

After a protracted struggle for succession, Dara was betrayed, captured, and brought to Delhi, where his execution was ordered by Aurangzeb.

To further solidify his authority, Aurangzeb paraded Dara’s mutilated body through the streets of Delhi, a stark and brutal demonstration of his dominance.

This act, though securing Aurangzeb's throne, marked the beginning of a more austere and divisive era in the Mughal Empire, casting a shadow over its legacy.

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