Mughal prince Dara Shikoh, the eldest son of Shah Jahan, was killed in a war of succession after being defeated by which of his brothers?

Introduction / Context:
The later Mughal period saw intense struggles for the throne, especially after the reign of Shah Jahan. His sons fought a bitter war of succession that drastically changed the course of the empire. Dara Shikoh, Shah Jahan eldest son, was defeated and eventually killed by a rival brother. This question asks which brother was responsible, testing awareness of key events in Mughal political history.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• The focus is on Dara Shikoh, eldest son of Shah Jahan. • We are asked which brother defeated and then had him killed. • The options list Jahangir, Aurangzeb, Babur and Shah Jahan.

Concept / Approach:
After Shah Jahan illness, his sons Dara Shikoh, Aurangzeb, Shah Shuja and Murad Baksh entered into a succession struggle. Dara Shikoh was Shah Jahan favourite and heir apparent, known for his religious tolerance and interest in Hindu Muslim synthesis. However, Aurangzeb, a more orthodox and politically astute prince, defeated Dara in battle, captured him and eventually ordered his execution. Jahangir and Babur belonged to earlier generations and Shah Jahan is the father, not a rival brother. Thus, the brother responsible for Dara downfall and death was Aurangzeb.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Recall that Shah Jahan was the father of Dara Shikoh and Aurangzeb, not one of the rival brothers in the war of succession. 2. Recognise that Jahangir was Shah Jahan father and therefore Dara Shikoh grandfather, not his brother. 3. Babur was the founder of the Mughal Empire several generations earlier, so he cannot be Dara brother. 4. Remember that Aurangzeb plotted against Dara Shikoh, formed alliances with other brothers and fought Dara at Samugarh and other battles. 5. After defeating Dara, Aurangzeb had him captured, paraded and executed, clearing the way to become emperor. 6. Therefore the correct answer is Aurangzeb.

Verification / Alternative check:
Histories of the Mughal Empire consistently describe the succession conflict between Dara Shikoh and Aurangzeb. They emphasise Dara religious openness and Aurangzeb more orthodox approach, as well as the decisive battles that Aurangzeb won. These accounts clearly state that Aurangzeb had Dara executed to remove him as a rival. This repeated narrative across sources confirms that Aurangzeb is the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Jahangir: Grandfather of Dara Shikoh, not his brother, and died before these events. Babur: Founder of the Mughal dynasty, separated from Dara Shikoh by several generations. Shah Jahan: Father of Dara Shikoh and Aurangzeb, not the brother who fought the succession war against Dara.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates may mix up the generational order of Mughal emperors or may think of any famous Mughal name like Babur or Jahangir without considering the timeline. A simple way to keep it clear is to remember the main sequence: Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb. Dara Shikoh belongs to the generation of Shah Jahan children, and his chief rival in the war of succession is Aurangzeb.

Final Answer:
Dara Shikoh was defeated and killed in conflict with his brother Aurangzeb.