Problem of Succession during Mughal Period

Problems of Succession in the Mughal Empire

Succession Issues: A Recurring Challenge

Shah Jahan’s later reign was marked by a war of succession among his sons.
There was no clear succession tradition among Muslims or Timurids.
The ruler's right of nomination, though accepted by some, was not asserted in India during the Sultanate period.
The Timurid tradition of partitioning had failed and was not used in India.
Hindu traditions were unclear. Tulsidas believed a ruler could choose any son, but this was often contested.
Sanga himself had to fight his brothers for the throne.

Shah Jahan's Illness and Dara’s Nomination: Sparking the Conflict

In late 1657, Shah Jahan fell ill in Delhi, leading to rumors of his death.
Princes Shuja, Murad, and Aurangzeb prepared for war.
Shah Jahan, hoping to avoid conflict, nominated Dara, raising his mansab and instructing nobles to obey him. This only fueled the other princes' ambitions.

War of Succession: A Struggle for Power

Aurangzeb’s triumph was due to Dara's divided counsel and underestimation of his opponents.
Shah Jahan sent an army east under Dara’s son Sulaiman Shikoh and Mirza Raja Jai Singh against Shuja, while another under Raja Jaswant Singh faced Aurangzeb and Murad in Malwa.
Jaswant Singh fought Aurangzeb at Dharmat (April 15, 1658) but lost, boosting Aurangzeb's prestige.

Dara’s Mistakes and Defeats: A Series of Setbacks

Dara mistakenly sent his best troops east. Sulaiman Shikoh defeated Shuja near Banaras (February 1658) but couldn’t return in time.
Dara sought allies, but Aurangzeb won them over.
The battle of Samugarh (May 29, 1658) showcased Aurangzeb’s generalship. Dara’s hastily recruited army was no match.
Aurangzeb pretended to see his father and free him from Dara’s control. Nobles were divided in their support.

Shah Jahan’s Imprisonment: A Father's Fate

After Dara’s defeat, Shah Jahan was besieged in Agra fort and forced to surrender. He lived under Jahanara’s care for eight years.
Aurangzeb, reneging on an agreement, imprisoned Murad and later had him killed.

Dara’s End and Aurangzeb’s Consolidation: Eliminating Rivals

After Samugarh, Dara fled to Lahore, then Sindh, Gujarat, and Ajmer, facing treachery from Jaswant Singh.
The battle of Deorai (March 1659) was Dara’s last stand. Captured in the Bolan Pass, he was executed.
Dara’s son, Sulaiman Shikoh, was also executed.
Aurangzeb defeated Shuja at Khajwah (December 1658). Shuja fled to Arakan and met a dishonorable end.

Aftermath and Aurangzeb’s Policies: Lessons Learned

The war showed succession was decided by force, leading to destructive conflicts.
Aurangzeb tried to mitigate this. At Jahanara Begum’s urging, he released and married off his brothers' children, integrating them into the Mughal hierarchy.

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