Delhi by Heart: Impressions of a Pakistani Traveller

Author:Raza Rumi [Rumi, Raza]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: History, General
ISBN: 9789350299982
Google: YcXjAAAAQBAJ
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers India
Published: 2013-05-10T11:59:52+00:00

In 1657, Dara was appointed as Regent to look after the affairs of the Empire because of his father’s illness. But Emperor Shah Jahan’s illness became a cue for his sons to begin a war of succession. Aurangzeb quickly made a coalition with Murad and defeated Dara Shikoh at the famous Battle of Samogarh. Aurangzeb’s superior military campaign, intelligence networks and support from his sister, Roshanara, were the strengths that enabled him to capture the throne in 1658. He then imprisoned his father, Shah Jahan, in the fort at Agra where he died eight years later.

Dara, despite being a brave warrior, was not inclined by nature towards a martial life. Earlier, in 1639, 1642 and 1653, he had suffered defeat in expeditions against the Persians. His final defeat came in 1659 at the hands of Aurangzeb in Deorai (near Ajmer). Dara sought refuge in Dadar (in today’s Pakistan) but, sadly, his host, Malik Jiwan, betrayed him and handed him over to Aurangzeb’s officials. Aurangzeb humiliated Dara by parading him in disgrace through the streets of Delhi. Bernier,19 an eyewitness to the scene, wrote:

When the unhappy Prince was brought to the gates of Dehli, it became a question with Aureng-Zebe, whether… he should be made to pass through the capital… that he ought to be seen by the whole city; that it was necessary to strike the people with terror and astonishment, and to impress their minds with an idea of the absolute and irresistible power of Aureng-Zebe.

The hapless residents of Delhi, yet again marginal players in the power game, saw a drama unfold in front of their eyes:

… the wretched prisoner was therefore secured on an elephant; his young son, Sipah Shikoh, placed at his side, and behind them, instead of the executioner, was seated Bahadur Khan (one of the royal generals)… Dara was now seen seated on a miserable and worn-out animal, covered with filth; he no longer wore the necklace of large pearls which distinguish the princes of Hindoustan nor the rich turban and embroidered coat; he and his son were now habited in dirty cloth of the coarsest texture, and his sorry turban was wrapt round with a Kachemire (Kashmir) shawl or scarf, resembling that worn by the meanest of the people.

…The people had for some time inveighed bitterly against the unnatural conduct of Aureng-Zebe… The crowd assembled upon this disgraceful occasion was immense; and everywhere I observed people weeping and lamenting the fate of Dara in the most touching language… From every quarter I heard piercing and distressing shrieks, for the Indian people have a very tender heart… men, women and children wailing as if some mighty calamity had happened to themselves. Javan Khan rode near the wretched Dara; and the abusive and indignant cries vociferated as the traitor moved along were absolutely deafening. I observed some Fakires and several poor people throw stones at the infamous Pathan; but not a single movement was made, no one offered to draw his sword, with a view of delivering the beloved and compassionated Prince.

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