Dara Shikoh, son of Shah Jahan, had a deep passion for literature and philosophy. How was this passion misinterpreted?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → As a lack of dexterity for political administration
Option (1) As a lack of care for the people of his empire — Incorrect. Dara was loved by his people. This was not the charge made against him.
Option (2) As a lack of dexterity for political administration — Correct. His love of literature and philosophy was misinterpreted as a sign that he was submissive and lacked skill for running the state.
Option (3) As a lack of interest in the patronage of painting — Incorrect. Dara was a poet and connoisseur who commissioned a special album of painting. This was not the charge made against him.
Option (4) As a lack of affection for his wife — Incorrect. Dara commissioned that album to gift his wife. This was not the charge made against him.
NCERT (2026-27): “Dara Shikoh with Sages in a Garden …The legitimate successor of Shah Jahan, his son Dara Shikoh, was denied his empire and life. … Loved by his people, Dara, the scholar, who knew many languages, including Sanskrit, is the central theme here. A poet and connoisseur, he commissioned a special album of painting to gift his wife. Unfortunately, Dara, due to his passion for literature and philosophy, was misinterpreted as submissive and that his personality lacked dexterity for political administration.…” |