Q. Which one of the following statements about the War of Succession (1657-1659 CE) among Shah Jahan’s sons is correct?

[A] Dara Shikoh was defeated decisively at the Battle of Samugarh, which was the final engagement that led to Aurangzeb's undisputed claim to the throne.

[B] Prince Shuja was the first of the brothers to declare himself Emperor, but he was soon defeated by Aurangzeb’s forces at the Battle of Khajwa.

[C] Prince Murad Bakhsh was an active military ally of Aurangzeb, who received the governorship of Gujarat and agreed to a partition of the Empire after the victory.

[D] Shah Jahan was deposed and imprisoned in the Red Fort, Delhi, where he spent his final years being cared for by his eldest daughter, Jahanara.

Answer: B
Notes:

Explanation:

  • (a) Incorrect. While Samugarh was decisive, the final defeat of Dara Shikoh occurred later at the Battle of Deorai (1659 CE).
  • (b) Correct. Shuja (Governor of Bengal) crowned himself first and marched toward Agra but was defeated by Aurangzeb at Khajwa (near Fatehpur, 1659 CE), forcing him to retreat.
  • (c) Incorrect. Murad Bakhsh was an ally but was soon imprisoned and later executed by Aurangzeb after the initial victories, as Aurangzeb had no intention of partitioning the Empire.
  • (d) Incorrect. Shah Jahan was imprisoned in the Agra Fort, not the Delhi Red Fort (Shahjahanabad).
Blog
Academy
Community