Mughal War of Succession

Timeline

1. 1657Agra · IndiaIn September 1657 Emperor Shah Jahan fell gravely ill; eldest son Dara Shikoh remained in Agra controlling court affairs, second son Shah Shuja raised forces in Bengal and declared himself independent, while third son Aurangzeb and fourth son Murad Bakhsh secretly allied, claiming to jointly raise troops to 'save their father' but in reality contesting the throne; the war of succession officially broke out.
2. 1658Dharmat · IndiaThe allied forces of Aurangzeb and Murad defeated the royal army led by Qasim Khan at Dharmat, opening the strategic gateway to North India. This battle established Aurangzeb's military advantage and provided the key conditions for victory at Samugarh.
3. 1658Samugarh · IndiaDara Shikoh personally led the royal army to face Aurangzeb's allied forces head-on at Samugarh. Dara Shikoh suffered a crushing defeat due to the collapse of his war elephant line and command errors, fleeing in disarray. Aurangzeb thus won a decisive victory, advancing directly on Agra, and the outcome of the succession struggle was settled.
4. 1658Delhi · IndiaAurangzeb held a coronation ceremony in Delhi, formally taking the throne with the title 'Alamgir', while his father Shah Jahan was placed under house arrest in Agra Fort. Dara Shikoh was captured and executed for apostasy (1659); his other brothers were successively defeated and killed or imprisoned, and the Mughal war of succession was declared over.