Elimination of Brothers by Aurangzeb

The elimination of brothers by Aurangzeb refers to one of the most dramatic and decisive successions in Mughal history. Following the death of Emperor Shah Jahan, a fierce war of succession (1657–1659) broke out among his four sons—Dara Shikoh, Shah Shuja, Murad Bakhsh, and Aurangzeb. The struggle was not merely a contest for the Mughal throne but also a conflict of ideologies, personalities, and political alliances.
Aurangzeb’s victory in this war marked a turning point in Mughal history, ushering in his long reign (1658–1707) and reshaping the empire’s political and religious outlook.

Background

By the mid-17th century, Emperor Shah Jahan had built one of the most magnificent empires in the world, but by 1657 his declining health created uncertainty over succession. As Mughal law did not prescribe primogeniture (eldest son’s right to the throne), the throne was open to all royal princes.
The four principal contenders were:

1. Dara Shikoh – Shah Jahan’s eldest son and favourite; liberal, scholarly, and inclined toward Sufism.
2. Shah Shuja – Governor of Bengal; ambitious and militarily experienced.
3. Aurangzeb – Governor of the Deccan; devoutly orthodox, disciplined, and politically astute.
4. Murad Bakhsh – The youngest, governor of Gujarat, and impulsive by temperament.

When Shah Jahan fell seriously ill in September 1657, each prince saw an opportunity to claim the throne, leading to a series of confrontations that would ultimately determine the empire’s future.

War of Succession

The war of succession among Shah Jahan’s sons unfolded over two years and was characterised by strategic alliances, military confrontations, and political intrigue.

1. Initial Developments (1657–1658)

• Shah Jahan’s illness led to rumours of his death, prompting Dara Shikoh to assume power in Agra.
• Shah Shuja proclaimed himself emperor in Bengal, and Murad Bakhsh declared his sovereignty in Gujarat.
• Aurangzeb, aware of the weaknesses of his brothers, strategically allied with Murad Bakhsh, promising to share power after victory.

2. Battle of Dharmat (15 April 1658)

• Aurangzeb’s forces met those of Jaswant Singh of Marwar, a Rajput general supporting Dara Shikoh, near Ujjain.
• Aurangzeb won decisively, demonstrating superior tactics and discipline. This victory opened the road to the north.

3. Battle of Samugarh (29 May 1658)

• The decisive battle of the succession war took place near Agra between Aurangzeb and Dara Shikoh.
• Aurangzeb’s well-organised army, aided by Murad, defeated Dara’s forces.
• Dara fled toward Delhi and then to Lahore, while Aurangzeb captured Agra and placed his father, Shah Jahan, under house arrest in the Agra Fort.

This event effectively made Aurangzeb the ruler of the empire, though resistance from his brothers continued.

Elimination of the Rivals

Aurangzeb’s consolidation of power involved the systematic elimination of his three brothers through military defeat, deceit, and execution.

1. Murad Bakhsh

• After the Battle of Samugarh, Murad expected to share the throne with Aurangzeb. However, Aurangzeb, fearing Murad’s impulsive nature and ambition, acted swiftly.
• He invited Murad to a celebratory meeting in June 1658 and had him arrested during a banquet at Ahmadnagar.
• Murad was later sent to Gwalior Fort, tried for the murder of a Diwan (financial officer) committed earlier, and executed on 4 December 1661.

2. Shah Shuja

• After proclaiming himself emperor in Bengal, Shah Shuja advanced toward the north but was defeated by Aurangzeb’s forces near Banaras (1658) and again at Khajwa (January 1659).
• He fled toward Arakan (modern-day Myanmar) with his family and followers, seeking asylum from the king of Arakan.
• According to Mughal chroniclers, Shah Shuja was murdered in Arakan, possibly by local rulers, though some accounts suggest he was executed on Aurangzeb’s orders.
• His family members either died in captivity or were absorbed into local courts.

3. Dara Shikoh

• Following his defeat at Samugarh, Dara fled across Punjab and Sindh, seeking refuge among local chiefs and governors.
• In 1659, he was captured near Baluchistan by Afzal Khan, a Mughal officer loyal to Aurangzeb, and brought to Delhi.
• Aurangzeb charged Dara with apostasy and heresy due to his liberal religious views and his association with Hindu and Sufi scholars.
• After a brief trial by orthodox clerics, Dara was condemned and executed on 30 August 1659, his head sent to Aurangzeb as proof of death.

With Dara’s death, Aurangzeb emerged as the sole ruler of the Mughal Empire, ending all major opposition.

Political and Religious Dimensions

The elimination of Aurangzeb’s brothers was not merely an outcome of personal ambition but also reflected deeper political and ideological undercurrents within the Mughal court.

1. Political Realism:
   • Aurangzeb demonstrated ruthless pragmatism. He viewed the elimination of rivals as essential to ensuring political stability in an empire where succession disputes were customary.
2. Religious Orthodoxy vs. Liberalism:
   • Dara Shikoh represented Akbar’s tradition of religious tolerance and intellectual syncretism, promoting unity between Hinduism and Islam.
   • Aurangzeb, by contrast, stood for orthodox Sunni Islam, and his ascension marked a return to religious conservatism in Mughal governance.
3. Administrative Continuity:
   • Once secure on the throne, Aurangzeb consolidated imperial authority, reorganised administration, and expanded the empire’s frontiers in the Deccan, though at immense military and financial cost.

Consequences of the Elimination

The outcome of Aurangzeb’s ruthless campaign to secure the throne had both immediate and long-term consequences for the Mughal Empire.

1. Political Stability in the Short Term

• Aurangzeb’s victory ended the fratricidal wars and brought short-term stability to the empire. His administrative discipline and strong central control maintained imperial unity for several decades.

2. Moral and Ideological Impact

• The violent elimination of his brothers and the imprisonment of his father tarnished Aurangzeb’s moral image among contemporaries and later historians.
• Many viewed his methods as contrary to the Mughal ideal of kingship based on tolerance and family honour.

3. End of the Liberal Mughal Ethos

• The execution of Dara Shikoh marked the end of Mughal religious eclecticism, which had flourished under Akbar and Jahangir.
• Aurangzeb’s orthodox policies alienated sections of the population, particularly Hindus and Shia Muslims, contributing to later discontent.

4. Long-Term Decline of the Empire

• Although Aurangzeb expanded the empire to its greatest territorial extent, his continuous wars and rigid policies weakened the administrative and economic foundations of the state.
• His successors inherited an overextended empire beset by rebellion and fiscal strain, leading eventually to the decline of Mughal power in the 18th century.

Assessment of Aurangzeb’s Actions

Historians have offered contrasting interpretations of Aurangzeb’s elimination of his brothers:

• Realist View: Some historians argue that Aurangzeb’s actions were consistent with Mughal political norms, where survival and consolidation required decisive measures.
• Moral Critique: Others view his conduct as excessive and morally questionable, especially the execution of Dara Shikoh, who represented the intellectual and spiritual liberalism of Mughal culture.
• Strategic Perspective: His victories demonstrated remarkable political skill, military strategy, and administrative foresight, even if achieved through ruthless means.