Dara Shikoh - Persecution continued

muqawwee123 · April 18, 2012, 11:08am

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

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.

D**ara, 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 [email protected]

The persecution on the name of religion still continues that cost us losing important lives like Salman Taseer and making people like Mumtaz Qadri heroes.

the_kaur · April 18, 2012, 1:19pm

Re: Dara Shikoh - Persecution continued

It happens in both cases, either Dara or Aurangzeb is glamourized. Sometimes Dara becomes symbol of liberalism and apostate and most of the time Auragzeb becomes bigot and symbol of Islamism.

Now we can only speculate if Dara would have become emperor what would have happened? Aurangzeb was battle hardened, and his survival against his brother is clear testimony of that. he was able to dethrone his father this also means that the mughal army comprising of many hindu rajput chieftains implicitly agreed that Auragzeb was better commander of the troops. Aurangzeb faced many challanges in his career, his army failed to capture Assam, Ahoms remain undefinable, Rise of Maratha would have happened. as Shivaji was ambitious and it was shivaji who provoked fighting for independent nation. Khalsa might have not arosed if his policy would have right though. But Aurangzeb was well known administrator and very able general, he was able to hold the empire together, every empire falls, even British empire fell, but it was because of Aurangzeb the empire had extended life, He was able to stop invasion of India hence no NadirShahs, Abdalis dared to fight against him, his death proved fatal for mughal empire and brought many years of uncertainty in the future of Delhi. It was finally after British rise Delhi regained its peaceful status:). Maligning aurangzeb of bigotry and cursing him for present state of Pakistan sounds immature though. Jinnah is more adored than Aurangzeb in Pakistan, this is not aurangzeb's pakistan, this is Zia's pakistan:)

muqawwee123 · April 18, 2012, 2:28pm

Re: Dara Shikoh - Persecution continued

Zia also followed Auranghzeb's footsteps and he can truly be called Aurangzeb Sani - Aurangzeb, the Second :D

Both these rulers exploit the religion for the rule and result was religious fundamentalism.

ninja_hattori · April 18, 2012, 2:36pm

Re: Dara Shikoh - Persecution continued

Aurangzeb ke daur me kaunsa fundamentalism barhata mere bhai?

what ever people call zia IMO his successors failed to maintain what he achieved through name of islam…

I always see people bash zia-ul-haq marhum…but show me one example where any one defeated or fought against USSR…

that was true genious of zia-ul-haq who created army of religious warriors in so much less time and defeated USSR…

in vietnam …the communists were all ready organized…

the_kaur · April 18, 2012, 3:11pm

Re: Dara Shikoh - Persecution continued

Now this is where again Aurangzeb is misused, Aurangzeb was unified commander of the military, no autonomous group were operating, while Zia gave charge to individual group of warriors. Clergy never gained power during Aurangzeb time, nor Aurangzeb had grand “makbara” after his death. Auragzeb was holding a disintegrating empire, Zia changed the direction of Jinnah.

Ninja, Concept of Ummah is down to top, when individual grievances are neutralized, unification is achieved automatically, people can join in the name of religion for sometime but to hold them together one has to eliminate all contesting identities. Zia’s loose militia brought gun culture in the society, in such condition gun becomes the solution, sometimes it solves the problem but most of the time it complicates the problem, retreat of Soviets made these loose militia think that they can wrestle the Kashmir out in the same hard way, unlike afghanistan this terrain was equally known to Indian Army. the porus border brought drugs and guns in Pakistan, there is no quick fix or short term solution to Afghanistan, All contesting parties, Taliban, US, Karzai has to think about it without wielding gun at each other, it is Taliban,US,Karzai etc’s ego because of which Afghan has problem and same is true for my kashmiris.

muqawwee123 · April 18, 2012, 3:15pm

Re: Dara Shikoh - Persecution continued

But Ninja which Islam Zia followed that made him fight others (USA) war. What that war gave to Muslims of Pakistan. kalashnikov culture, drugs, millions refugees and whats not. I don’t think Islam teaches us to fight such a meaningless war with less resources and your internal problems.

muqawwee123 · April 18, 2012, 3:23pm

Re: Dara Shikoh - Persecution continued

Zia doesn’t have a big Makbara. Even Hassan Nisar (Pakistani journalist) on last death anniversary of Bhutto, paid tribute to Bhutto that although Zia got biggest funeral compared to Bhutto, but no one knew about his grave. Zia’s grave is in a corner of Faisal Masjid, Islamad. When we visited Faisal Masjid, our uncle called all bacha party to come and do some dua and fateha for Zia. We all were like :nono: . He said: ‘Marre hue se kia laddna’.

PS: Having big maqbra doen’t say anything about your life

ninja_hattori · April 18, 2012, 3:35pm

Re: Dara Shikoh - Persecution continued

thats not true....yes america wanted to reduce USSr's influence.....
but tell me what was russia's strategic aim in occupying afghanistan.....
they were there looking to control warm waters of pakistan...thats why that was pakistan's war.....
pakistan was next target of USSR...zia knew all this that why he fought against USSR...
and now his own countrymen blame him for his awareness

muqawwee123 · April 18, 2012, 3:42pm

Re: Dara Shikoh - Persecution continued

Zia knew USSR's intentions and Mushrraf knew USA's intentions. Now I knew where from this 'sab se pehle Pakistan' slogan came. :)

The fact is Zia accommodated militancy culture on the name of religion which is still haunting Pakistani society. Aurangzeb promoted the same which leads to militancy factors in peaceful Sikh people.

ninja_hattori · April 18, 2012, 4:30pm

Re: Dara Shikoh - Persecution continued

who arranged for religious group and sectarian groups in iraq? in syria?
when there is a chaos in border area such kind of militia forming is common....
zia not only liberated afghanistan he also managed to liberate lot of other muslim nations like uzbekistan,kazakstan....
and i dont know what you want from a president of poor country like pakistan when faced by red monster of communism which was famous for forming satellite states....
those sectarian groups and religious group waged war on their countrymen is their own fault....
i dont see zia responsible anyhow....
dont you see every ruler in the world accomodated militancy culture some how....if aurangzeb was responsible for sikh militancy.......:D

muqawwee123 · April 18, 2012, 4:46pm

Re: Dara Shikoh - Persecution continued

What do you think Zia did all this for the pain of Afghanistan and those Muslim states. :nono:

Everyone has his interpretation of Islam and Zia only utilise that concept of Jihadi Islam for taking support (dollars and longer military rule) from his Aqa USA. Can you quote anything from Islamic sources which support such Jehad which destroys the basic fabric of a society? Zia’s interpretation of Jihad only gave Pakistan militants, which are still killing innocent Muslims from other sects who can’t even spare masajids of other sects.

How can you say that Afghanistan was liberated by Zia, when the poor Afghanis kept on migrating to Pakistan due to tussles between Jihadi groups created by USA during so called Afghan Jihad.

ninja_hattori · April 18, 2012, 4:51pm

Re: Dara Shikoh - Persecution continued

ok tell me what he should have done when soviet intruded afghanistan?

muqawwee123 · April 18, 2012, 4:53pm

Re: Dara Shikoh - Persecution continued

What Iran did during that time :D

ninja_hattori · April 18, 2012, 4:55pm

Re: Dara Shikoh - Persecution continued

but dont you see what iran did when israel intruded lebnon...........:(

do you really think pakistan should have remained aloof from afghan issue.........:(

muqawwee123 · April 18, 2012, 5:00pm

Re: Dara Shikoh - Persecution continued

Pakistan should have remained aloof from all proxy war, because these proxy war didn’t provide a single penny benefit to common Pakistanis. Its an irony that during Zia regime on one hand the concept of Muslim Ummah was publicized for international agenda and on other hand Pakistan society was introduced to slogans where one sect started calling the other Kafir

Isse kehte hain chiragh talle andhera.

ninja_hattori · April 18, 2012, 5:03pm

Re: Dara Shikoh - Persecution continued

your approach to international politics and humanity is very naive brother.............:(

muqawwee123 · April 18, 2012, 5:04pm

Re: Dara Shikoh - Persecution continued

Thanks for the compliments. But I can’t fight others war.

queer · April 18, 2012, 5:13pm

Re: Dara Shikoh - Persecution continued

sarmad kashani is one interesting person. i wonder how different the world would be had dara shikoh become emperor.

muqawwee123 · April 18, 2012, 5:22pm

Re: Dara Shikoh - Persecution continued

Yes that Sarmad was a great person who opposed Aurangzeb for his religious killing and was then killed on the pretext that he didn’t follow Zill e Ilahi Hazrat Aurangzeb’s orders for not wandering naked in Delhi’s streets

ninja_hattori · April 18, 2012, 5:33pm

Re: Dara Shikoh - Persecution continued