Did the Mauryan Empire Expand into South India?
There is ample evidence that the Mauryan Empire, a juggernaut of ancient India, stretched across a vast territory – from today's...
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Aurangzeb & Dara Shikoh
Stages Completed
About the Project
In the Seventeenth century, when Mughals had control over almost the whole of India, the History of India was at a crossroads.
Two drastically contrasting personalities vied for the Throne to Mughal India - Aurangzeb, an orthodox Islamist with an authoritative yet firm way of ruling, and Dara Shikoh, his elder brother and crown prince, with a more liberal ideology with a more accommodative way of governance which, however, was weak. A series of bloody battles decided who finally ruled over India but also which way the trajectory of the story of the subcontinent would turn. The series deals with a historic period in India and touches on the political, cultural, philosophical, and personal aspects of the characters involved. Although the material being discussed itself is inherently interesting, we have woven it into an engaging storyline that the audience will find easy to grasp, gripping, and also informative.
Watch for free on YouTube
Episode Guide
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Episode 1: The Royal Bloodline: Introduces the Mughal Empire at its zenith and sets the stage with the birth of Aurangzeb and Dara Shukoh, highlighting their contrasting personalities and destinies.
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Episode 2: The Governorship Years: Explores the early political and military careers of Aurangzeb and Dara Shukoh as governors, showing how their experiences shaped their approaches to power and governance.
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Episode 3: Conflicts Develop: Focuses on the strategic stronghold of Kandahar and its role in escalating tensions between Dara and Aurangzeb, culminating in their direct confrontation.
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Episode 4: Ideological Differences: Delves into the differing religious and philosophical beliefs of Dara and Aurangzeb, showcasing how these differences influenced their political actions and the perceptions of their contemporaries.
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Episode 5: Political Clashes: Examines the political maneuvers and alliances formed by Dara and Aurangzeb as they prepare for the inevitable conflict for the Mughal throne.
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Episode 6: Upanishads and Uprisings: Highlights Dara's intellectual pursuits and his translations of the Upanishads, contrasting with Aurangzeb’s consolidation of military power and orthodox Islamic support.
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Episode 7: Sounding of War Bugles: The health crisis of Shah Jahan acts as a catalyst for the outbreak of open warfare among his sons, with the empire's future hanging in the balance.
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Episode 8: The Battle of Samugarh: A detailed account of the critical battle between Dara and Aurangzeb, marking a decisive turn in the struggle for supremacy within the Mughal Empire.
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Episode 9: The Aftermath of War: Follows the immediate consequences of the Battle of Samugarh, focusing on the downfall of Dara, the strategic retreats, and Aurangzeb’s tactics to secure his position as emperor.
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Episode 10: The Fall of a Prince and the Rise of an Emperor: Concludes the series with the capture and tragic end of Dara Shukoh, Aurangzeb’s ascension to the throne, and the impact of his rule on the Mughal Empire’s future.
Blogs
Sources
Contact
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History of Aurangzeb Based on Original Sources, Vol. 1 by Jadunath Sircar
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History of Aurangzeb Based on Original Sources, Vol. 2 by Jadunath Sircar
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Dara Shikoh: The Man Who Would Be King by Avik Chanda
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Aurangzeb: The Man and the Myth by Audrey Truschke
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