Murad Baksh

Murad Baksh (1624–1661) was a Mughal prince and the youngest son of Emperor Shah Jahan and Empress Mumtaz Mahal. As a member of the illustrious Mughal dynasty, he was born into an era of imperial splendour and political intrigue. However, his life was marked by ambition, rivalry, and tragedy — culminating in his execution during the bitter war of succession among Shah Jahan’s sons.

Early Life and Background

Murad Baksh was born on 9 October 1624 in Burhanpur, in the Deccan region of India. He was the sixth son of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, the emperor’s favourite wife, after whom the Taj Mahal was built. Growing up in the royal court, Murad received a refined education, including instruction in Persian, Arabic, military training, and statecraft.
From an early age, Murad was exposed to the luxuries and political dynamics of the Mughal Empire, which had reached the height of its power under his father. He was known for his bravery, charm, and physical strength, traits that earned him favour among nobles and soldiers alike.

Provincial Governorship and Early Career

Like other Mughal princes, Murad Baksh was assigned governorships to train in administration and warfare. He held various posts in different provinces, including:

• Multan
• Gujarat
• Balkh
• Kabul

As governor of Gujarat, one of the wealthiest provinces in the empire, Murad enjoyed considerable influence and resources. His court in Ahmedabad became a centre of power, where he built his own network of supporters among nobles and military officers.
Murad’s time as governor was marked by displays of royal authority and occasional conflicts with other officials. Like his elder brothers — Dara Shikoh, Shah Shuja, and Aurangzeb — he began to aspire to the Mughal throne, setting the stage for a dynastic confrontation.

The War of Succession

The Mughal War of Succession (1657–1661) began when Emperor Shah Jahan fell seriously ill in 1657. With the emperor incapacitated, his four sons each sought to claim the throne:

1. Dara Shikoh – The eldest and Shah Jahan’s favourite, who represented the liberal and intellectual faction of the court.
2. Shah Shuja – Governor of Bengal, ambitious and militarily experienced.
3. Aurangzeb – The third son, known for his political cunning and religious orthodoxy.
4. Murad Baksh – The youngest, bold but impulsive, ruling in Gujarat.

Murad quickly declared himself emperor in Gujarat, minting coins in his name and receiving the allegiance of local nobles. He then formed a tactical alliance with Aurangzeb, who saw in Murad a useful partner against their elder brothers.

Alliance with Aurangzeb

Aurangzeb and Murad jointly planned their campaign to seize the throne. While Murad provided troops and resources from Gujarat, Aurangzeb brought his military acumen and experience.
Their combined forces first confronted and defeated Shah Shuja in Bihar and Bengal. Then, in 1658, they turned their attention to Dara Shikoh, who commanded the imperial army on behalf of their father.
The decisive battle took place at Samugarh, near Agra, on 29 May 1658. The combined forces of Aurangzeb and Murad defeated Dara Shikoh’s army, forcing him to flee. This victory cleared the way for Aurangzeb’s ascent to power.
After the victory, Aurangzeb imprisoned Shah Jahan in the Agra Fort, assuming the title of emperor himself. However, Murad Baksh’s ambitions and arrogance soon made him a liability to Aurangzeb’s plans.

Betrayal and Imprisonment

Following the defeat of their rivals, Murad Baksh expected to share power with Aurangzeb or at least be rewarded with a significant share of authority. However, Aurangzeb had no intention of sharing the throne.
Using deceit, Aurangzeb invited Murad to a reconciliation banquet in June 1658, where Murad was captured and imprisoned. Initially detained at Gwalior Fort, he was later transferred to the Salimgarh Fort in Delhi.
Aurangzeb charged Murad with murder for having killed a Diwan (minister) named Ali Naqi during his tenure as governor of Gujarat — a crime that provided the legal justification for his execution.

Execution

After three years of imprisonment, Murad Baksh was executed on 4 December 1661 in Gwalior Fort on Aurangzeb’s orders. His death eliminated the last major rival to Aurangzeb’s undisputed rule over the Mughal Empire.
Murad’s body was later buried in Gwalior, though some sources suggest his remains were transferred to Khuldabad, near Aurangabad, where several other Mughal royals are buried.

Personality and Character

Murad Baksh was known for his valor, impulsiveness, and sense of pride. Contemporary chroniclers describe him as courageous but lacking the patience and political shrewdness of Aurangzeb. He enjoyed luxury and grandeur, often indulging in lavish feasts and hunting expeditions.
Though he possessed martial skill and charisma, his political naivety made him vulnerable to manipulation. His alliance with Aurangzeb, driven by ambition and haste, ultimately led to his downfall.

Historical Significance

The story of Murad Baksh holds deep significance in the history of the Mughal Empire:

• It illustrates the intense dynastic rivalries that plagued the later Mughal period, leading to fratricide and political instability.
• Murad’s execution demonstrated Aurangzeb’s ruthless determination to secure absolute power, even at the cost of family bonds.
• The war of succession in which he participated marked the transition from the era of Shah Jahan’s grandeur to Aurangzeb’s more orthodox and militarised rule.