Dara Shukoh

The Faqir and the Throne of Thorns

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This expansive text on Dara Shukoh (1615-1659), crown prince and eldest son of Shah Jahan, addresses a vacuum in our history. While the great Mughals from Babur to Aurangzeb, have received constant attention, the poet-prince has largely been excised out of public memory and discourse.

A scholar, philosopher, and a patron of the arts, Dara Shukoh was known for his deep interest in mysticism and his efforts to bridge the gap between Hinduism and Islam. However, despite his intellectual prowess and progressive vision, Dara’s life was marked by political turmoil, culminating in his tragic defeat and execution by his brother Aurangzeb.

In this compelling re-examination, Amit Ranjan resurrects Dara’s enduring legacy of syncretism and cosmopolitanism, offering a nuanced portrait of the prince. By exploring the depths of his philosophy and the drama of his downfall, the book ponders a tantalizing counterfactual: What might have been—had Dara, not Aurangzeb, steered the course of history?