The Emperor Who Never Was

Discover the story of Dara Shukoh, the eldest son of Emperor Shah Jahan, and how his death at the hands of his younger brother Aurangzeb changed the course of South Asian history. In this comprehensive biography, author Supriya Gandhi draws on archival sources to showcase the lives of the four brothers and their sister Jahanara Begum, who clashed during a war of succession. The victory of Aurangzeb led to the execution of his brothers, jailing of his father, and the start of the final great Mughal’s reign. Find out how endless battles with rival rulers and Aurangzeb's strict form of Islam contributed to the eventual disintegration of the Mughal Empire. Explore the nuanced portrayal of Dara Shukoh in this story of passion and betrayal that shaped the subcontinent.