WAR OF SUCCESSION

The War of Succession following the illness of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1657 was a dramatic and bloody conflict among his sons, which ultimately resulted in Aurangzeb ascending to the Mughal throne. This power struggle, marked by intrigue, alliances, and military confrontations, not only determined the future ruler but also shaped the political and religious trajectory of the Mughal Empire.

Background: The Contestants

Shah Jahan had four sons, all of whom believed they had a legitimate claim to the throne. Each brother controlled different provinces and commanded significant military and political resources. Their personalities and governing styles were distinct, which contributed to the conflicts during the war.

1. Dara Shikoh (1615–1659):
   • The eldest son of Shah Jahan and his favored heir.
   • Dara was a liberal thinker, a scholar, and deeply interested in philosophy, particularly in Sufi mysticism and Hindu-Muslim syncretism. He translated the Upanishads into Persian and sought to bridge the cultural and religious divide between Hindus and Muslims.
   • Despite his intellectual prowess, Dara was inexperienced in military matters, a fact that would prove crucial in the ensuing war.
2. Aurangzeb (1618–1707):
   • The third son, Aurangzeb was a devout Muslim who advocated for a return to strict Islamic orthodoxy and Sharia law. His religiosity contrasted sharply with Dara’s liberalism.
   • Aurangzeb was also an experienced military leader, having served in several campaigns, and was known for his strategic acumen and political ruthlessness.
   • His ambition and determination were evident early on, and he positioned himself as a more capable ruler than his elder brother.
3. Shah Shuja (1616–1661):
   • The second son, Shah Shuja, governed Bengal. He had strong administrative abilities but lacked the military prowess of Aurangzeb.
   • Shah Shuja proclaimed himself emperor in 1657, following his father’s illness, triggering the start of the war.
4. Murad Baksh (1624–1661):
   • The youngest son, Murad Baksh, was the governor of Gujarat and, like Aurangzeb, had a reputation for military valor but was less politically astute.
   • Murad also declared himself emperor, allied with Aurangzeb at the start of the war but was later betrayed by him.

The Illness of Shah Jahan (1657)

In September 1657, Shah Jahan fell gravely ill, and his sons interpreted this as a sign of his imminent death, though he would recover. His illness triggered the war because, unlike his predecessor Akbar, Shah Jahan had not clearly designated a successor. Shah Jahan had always favored Dara Shikoh and wanted him to succeed, but the other brothers, seeing his illness as an opportunity, began positioning themselves for power.

Key Events of the War of Succession (1657–1659)

1. Shah Shuja’s Declaration and Battle of Bahadurpur (1658)
   • Upon hearing of his father’s illness, Shah Shuja declared himself emperor in Bengal. He quickly marched towards the Mughal capital, Agra.
   • However, Dara Shikoh, as the official regent, sent his son, Sulaiman Shikoh, to meet Shuja’s forces. In the Battle of Bahadurpur near Varanasi in early 1658, Shuja was defeated and forced to retreat to Bengal.
2. Aurangzeb’s Alliance with Murad Baksh
   • In the meantime, Aurangzeb formed an alliance with his younger brother Murad Baksh, who had declared himself emperor in Gujarat.
   • Together, they moved north, taking advantage of the conflict between Dara and Shuja. Aurangzeb presented himself as the rightful ruler, using religion to justify his actions and portraying Dara as a heretic due to his interest in Sufism and Hindu mysticism.
3. The Battle of Dharmat (April 1658)
   • Aurangzeb and Murad’s forces confronted Dara Shikoh’s army at Dharmat near Ujjain. Although Dara had a larger army, Aurangzeb’s superior military tactics and discipline won the day. Dara fled, marking the beginning of his downfall.
   • This battle was a critical moment in the war, showcasing Aurangzeb’s military expertise and setting him up as a serious contender for the throne.
4. The Battle of Samugarh (May 29, 1658)
   • After his defeat at Dharmat, Dara regrouped and made another stand at Samugarh (near Agra) against Aurangzeb and Murad. This was one of the most decisive battles of the war.
   • Despite having a larger army, Dara’s lack of military experience and his indecisiveness on the battlefield led to his defeat. Aurangzeb’s forces overwhelmed Dara’s, forcing him to retreat to Agra.
   • Shah Jahan, still under house arrest, tried to mediate but failed. After the battle, Aurangzeb moved to Agra and took control of the capital.
5. Aurangzeb’s Betrayal of Murad Baksh
   • After securing Agra, Aurangzeb turned on his ally, Murad Baksh. He had Murad arrested on charges of murdering the governor of Gujarat and imprisoned him. Murad was later executed in 1661.
   • This was a clear sign of Aurangzeb’s ruthlessness and determination to rule alone, without sharing power.
6. Dara Shikoh’s Escape and Capture
   • After his defeat, Dara fled westwards, seeking refuge in Sindh and later in Gujarat. Despite his efforts to raise support, he was continually pursued by Aurangzeb’s forces.
   • In 1659, Dara was finally betrayed by Jawan Mard Khan, a local chieftain, and captured by Aurangzeb’s forces. He was paraded in chains through the streets of Delhi, humiliated, and later executed on charges of heresy and treason.
7. Shah Shuja’s Defeat
   • While Aurangzeb focused on Dara, Shah Shuja tried to make a final push for the throne from Bengal. However, Aurangzeb’s forces under the command of Mir Jumla, one of Aurangzeb’s generals, defeated Shuja.
   • Shah Shuja fled to Arakan (present-day Myanmar), where he was eventually killed by local forces in 1661.
8. Aurangzeb’s Coronation
   • With Dara and Shuja defeated and Murad imprisoned, Aurangzeb proclaimed himself emperor in July 1659. He took the title Alamgir (“Seizer of the World”) and began his reign as the sole ruler of the Mughal Empire.

Key Personalities During the War of Succession

1. Dara Shikoh: The eldest son and Shah Jahan’s favorite, Dara was an intellectual and a proponent of religious tolerance. However, his lack of military acumen and failure to build strong alliances led to his downfall.
2. Aurangzeb: The eventual victor of the war, Aurangzeb was a skilled strategist and ruthless in his pursuit of power. His conservative Islamic policies and focus on military conquest shaped the empire during his reign.
3. Murad Baksh: Aurangzeb’s younger brother and initial ally, Murad was a courageous warrior but was betrayed and executed by Aurangzeb.
4. Shah Shuja: The governor of Bengal and a contender for the throne, Shuja’s efforts were thwarted by Dara and later by Aurangzeb’s forces. His fate was sealed when he fled to Arakan, where he was killed.
5. Shah Jahan: The aging emperor played a relatively passive role in the conflict after his illness, as he was placed under house arrest by Aurangzeb. He lived out his remaining years as a prisoner in Agra Fort, watching his empire and family fall apart.
6. Jawan Mard Khan: A local chief who betrayed Dara Shikoh, capturing him and handing him over to Aurangzeb’s forces.
7. Mir Jumla: A key general under Aurangzeb, Mir Jumla played a crucial role in the defeat of Shah Shuja and helped secure Aurangzeb’s control over Bengal.
8. Raja Jai Singh: A Rajput noble who played a crucial role in Aurangzeb’s victory by leading imperial forces in various campaigns.

Consequences of the War of Succession

1. Aurangzeb’s Ascension: Aurangzeb’s victory in the war of succession marked the beginning of a long reign (1658–1707). His reign was marked by territorial expansion, military campaigns, and a shift toward religious orthodoxy.
2. Religious and Political Impact: The war was a turning point in Mughal history. Dara’s defeat marked the end of the Mughal tradition of religious pluralism. Aurangzeb’s reign saw a re-imposition of Islamic laws and a more conservative approach to governance, which alienated many non-Muslim subjects, particularly the Marathas, Rajputs, and Sikhs
3. The Beginning of Mughal Decline: Though Aurangzeb expanded the empire to its greatest territorial extent, his religious policies, continuous military campaigns, and internal rebellions weakened the empire. By the time of his death in 1707, the Mughal Empire was overstretched and on the verge of decline.

The War of Succession of Aurangzeb was a defining moment in Mughal history, characterized by personal ambition, betrayal, and religious politics. It not only determined the next emperor but also set the tone for the remaining years of the Mughal Empire, eventually leading to its fragmentation and decline.