Dara Shikoh: still
persecuted
Mir Mohammad Ali Talpur
The Daily Times, August 1, 2010:
History’s false and biased version has fully been
exploited for the ulterior motive of strengthening the elite’s hold over
all facets of life and implementing their version of Islam. To add to the
woes, this distorted history has been made the staple diet of all students
since 1947
History heads the list of disciplines that have been grossly exploited and
abused worldwide, but its treatment in this region has been especially
brutal. Historians served the rulers or their own prejudices and in both
cases, truth and justice became the primary casualty. Historical
narratives wilfully misrepresented some personages and to add insult to
injury, this went hand in hand with the glorification of the most
undeserving and iniquitous individuals.
Dara Shikoh, Emperor Shah Jahan’s heir apparent, has been undeservedly
maligned or entirely neglected by historians who found the cruel and
bigoted Aurangzeb and marauders before him as true icons of manliness
representing, according to them, true Islamic glory and grandeur. Accused
of apostasy, he was murdered on August 30, 1659 by his brother Aurangzeb.
He patronised fine arts, music and dancing, which were frowned upon by
Aurangzeb. His paintings compare well to professional artists of his time.
He commissioned several exquisite examples of Mughal architecture, notable
among them the tomb of his wife Nadira Bano and the tomb of Hazrat Mian
Mir, a famous Qadri sufi saint whose follower he was, also in Lahore.
His most famous work, Majma-ul-Bahrain (‘The mingling of the two
seas’), was devoted to the mystical and pluralistic affinities between
sufic and Vedantic speculation. Dara Shikoh championed cultural
interaction among people of all faiths. Quintessentially a liberal, he
understood the need for harmonious coexistence of heterodox traditions on
the Indian subcontinent and as such he presented a serious threat to
orthodoxy. Dara was not just an individual; he represented a world outlook
that bigotry detests. The elite have invariably supported bigotry and
Dara’s agony continues unabated, but the struggle continues.
Ajoka Theatre deserves credit for initiating the historical rehabilitation
of Dara. I was graciously invited to the play’s recent presentation in
Karachi. ‘Dara’ is exceptionally well written and directed by Nadeem
Shahid and extremely ably acted out by the entire cast. It keeps the
audience riveted for over two hours with its powerful dialogues, excellent
music, a wonderful mix of Amir Khusro’s and Sarmad’s poetry, flawless
choreography, enchanting lighting effects and seamless stage management,
and all this with minimum props. It is a political and social statement,
which needs to be supported for its implications for efforts to recognise
and understand history in its proper perspective. Ajoka, in its effort to
challenge the existing social and political norms, has faced a lot of
opposition, including a ban on one of its plays, but commendably it has
shown courage under fire.
Dara, born in 1615 AD, was to succeed Shah Jahan. Shah Jahan was not an
epitome of generosity and benevolence that his buildings like Taj Mahal
would symbolise. He was cruel and unforgiving. Shah Jahan’s sudden
illness in 1657 triggered a war of succession between his offspring.
Though he recovered enough from his illness to remain a strong factor in
the struggle for supremacy, Aurangzeb at the battlefield of Samugarh
defeated Dara, 13 kilometres from Agra on May 30, 1658.
Aurangzeb then deposed Emperor Shah Jahan on June 8, 1658 and incarcerated
him at Agra fort. His eldest daughter Jahan Ara Begum chose to stay with
him. He died aged 74 after a confinement of seven and a half years on
January 22, 1662. Aurangzeb never forgave him for supporting Dara. He was
buried by eunuchs and menial servants beside his beloved Mumtaz Mahal.
Defeated, Dara went to Gujarat and then to Sindh but was betrayed and
handed over to Aurangzeb. He was brought to Delhi and paraded through the
streets in chains. This inflamed the people who attacked some courtiers.
Fearing a people’s rebellion, Aurangzeb summoned a convocation of
spineless nobles and clergy that expediently declared Dara as an apostate
from Islam. He was beheaded on the night of August 30, 1659. His
popularity among the people and the threat that he posed to Aurangzeb’s
bigotry had decided his fate.
Sarmad, the naked mystic poet, who had a huge following among the people
of Delhi, would come to Dara. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, in his biography of
Sarmad, quotes a pro-Aurangzeb historian Sher Khan Lodhi, the author of
Mirath-ul-Khayal, “Sultan Dara Shikoh had an affinity for mad people so
he became friends with Sarmad.” Maulana comments that “he (Lodhi) does
not know that there is a set of scales in which this madness would
outweigh all the wisdom in the world”, adding that “anyway he (Maulana)
prefers the madness of Dara over Alamgiri wisdom, which is tainted with
the blood of innocents”. He adds, “Dara was probably fed up with the
pernicious wisdom of the likes of Aurangzeb that he preferred the company
of Sarmad.” Sarmad too suffered the same fate as Dara, but more on
Sarmad in another piece.
Maulana also says: “Dara Shikoh had a unique mind and temperament and
all should forever mourn the unfortunate day when his enemies
triumphed.” Maulana Abul Kalam understood that Aurangzeb’s victory
meant the supremacy of intolerance and bigotry, not only in its immediate
aftermath, but also the ominous implications for the future of the region
and religion. It was for this reason that he minced no words while
presenting Aurangzeb, though a hero for others, in his true colours. It
should be understood that the day Aurangzeb succeeded, the die was cast
for eventual ascendancy of the bigoted ideology.
History’s false and biased version has fully been exploited for the
ulterior motive of strengthening the elite’s hold over all facets of
life and implementing their version of Islam. To add to the woes, this
distorted history has been made the staple diet of all students since 1947
and has had the expected results. Those who are surprised at the intensity
of the bigotry and intolerance that is the hallmark of all relationships
in our society should take a closer look at the way history has been
presented and revisit the deeds of all who have been projected as heroes
of Islamic history.
History, true or fabricated, moulds attitudes, sets values and creates
mindsets. The potential of it being instrumental in moulding mindsets has
been used in a sinister manner by our rulers and they have created
Aurangzebs in their millions. People emulating Aurangzeb certainly cannot
be expected to be benevolent to their Daras. And Daras will remain
persecuted as long as fabricated history reigns supreme.
Mir Mohammad Ali Talpur has an association with the Baloch rights
movement going back to the early 1970s. He can be contacted at mmatalpur@gmail.com
