UPSC CSE Pre 2003

Mughal War of Succession

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

The battle of Dharmat was fought between:

Solution & Analysis

Answer: C

Concept The illness of Emperor Shah Jahan triggered a brutal war of succession among his four sons. This conflict was not just over power but also represented a clash between different religious and political ideologies within the empire.

Explanation The Battle of Dharmat (1658) saw Aurangzeb face off against the imperial army led by Jaswant Singh of Marwar, who was fighting on behalf of the crown prince Dara Shikoh. Aurangzeb's victory here was a major turning point that proved his military superiority over Dara's coalition.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Aurangzeb combined forces with his brother Murad to defeat the imperial loyalists. This victory boosted Aurangzeb's prestige and allowed him to march toward Agra.
Logic 2: The battle showed the division among the Rajput chiefs, some of whom remained loyal to the emperor (Dara), while others eventually shifted to Aurangzeb.

Active Recall

Question

Why was the Battle of Dharmat significant?

Answer

It was the first major military defeat for Dara Shikoh's forces, establishing Aurangzeb as the frontrunner for the Mughal throne.

Core Insight

Dharmat was more than a battle; it was the collapse of Dara Shikoh's military credibility against Aurangzeb's tactical genius.