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.