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Sipihr Shikoh

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Sipihr Shikoh
سِپهر شِکوہ

Shahzada of the Mughal Empire
Mirza[1]
Siphir Shikoh in his youth
Born13 October 1644
Agra, India
Died2 or 3 July 1708(1708-07-03) (aged 63)
Delhi, India
Burial
Ahmedabad
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1673; d. 1707)​
IssueAli Tabar Mirza
Names
Shahzada Muhammad Sipihr Shikoh Mirza
HouseHouse of Babur
Dynasty Timurid dynasty
FatherDara Shikoh
MotherNadira Banu Begum
ReligionSunni Islam

Mirza Sipihr Shikoh (Persian: میرزا سپهر شیکوه) (13 October 1644 – 2 or 3 July 1708) [2] also known as Sipihr Shukoh, was a Mughal prince as the fourth son of Crown Prince Dara Shikoh and his consort Nadira Banu Begum.

Life

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Sipihr Shukoh was born on Thursday, 11 Shaban, 1054 (13 October 1644),[3] to Dara Shukoh, and his consort, Nadira Banu Begum. He was the grandson of the fifth Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as well as the nephew and son-in-law of the sixth Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. On his mother’s side, Sipihr was the grandson of Parviz Mirza, son of Emperor Jahangir and half brother of Shah Jahan. He was also descended from Sultan Murad Mirza (son of Akbar). Shah Jahan visited Dara’s house on the occasion of the birth of every child of his, and gave two lakhs of rupees in cash for the birthday celebration.

Sipihr played a role under his father in the War of Succession between the sons of Shah Jahan. During the Battle of Samugarh he, alongside Dara's general Rustam Khan Dakhini, led a cavalry charge against Aurangzeb's artillery as part of the left wing of the imperial army.[4]

When Dara was camped at Lahore after being turned away from Delhi, it was suggested by his faithful commander, Daud Khan, that Sipihr be sent with him as a nominal commander-in-chief to oppose Aurangzeb’s army at Sultanpur, on the banks of the Beas. However, the prince’s arrival was delayed, forcing Daud Khan’s men to retreat, and thus the opportunity to take a stand was lost. Sipihr was recalled to Dara’s side soon after, as relations with Daud Khan soured.[5]

After Dara’s flight from Lahore, through Multan and Thatta to the Rann of Cutch, Sipihr was bethrothed to the daughter of the Rao of Cutch with the promise of an alliance.[6] This marriage never came to fruition as the prince and his family had to resume their flight soon after.

Sipihr also acted as Dara's ambassador, when he visited Jodhpur in a vain attempt to persuade Maharaja Jaswant Singh of Marwar to join the cause against Aurangzeb, just prior to the Battle of Deorai on 12–14 April 1659.[7] Although he was treated with great respect and hosted by the Maharaja at Jodhpur for a few days, Jaswant Singh eventually refused to come to Dara’s aid. During the ensuing battle at the pass of Deorai, Sipihr controlled the fourth section of Dara’s army, at the south-eastern corner, adjoining the hill of Gokla. The battle was eventually lost, and Dara and Sipihr were forced to flee to Ajmer by way of Merta, from where they proceeded to Ahmedabad. The new governor of Ahmedabad, following the death of Shah Nawaz Khan, refused to open the gates to the defeated party, and they had no choice but to continue their march.

On 9 June 1659, he was captured and imprisoned by Malik Jiwan, brought to Delhi and paraded through the streets in chains, then imprisoned at Gwalior Fort.

In 1672, Multafat Khan was sent to bring him to Delhi along with his fellow prisoner, Aurangzeb’s son Muhammad Sultan. Sipihr was temporarily assigned a palace in Salimgarh.[8] On 16 December 1672, Emperor Aurangzeb ordered Sipihr and Muhammad Sultan to be brought into his bedchamber. After an interview, Sipihr received a robe and an emerald sarpech (turban ornament).[9]

On 30 January 1673, Sipihr was married to his first cousin, Zubdat-un-Nissa Begum, the daughter of Aurangzeb and Dilras Banu Begum. The marriage was conducted in the presence of the emperor. Sipihr was presented with a jewelled dagger, a jewelled sarpech, a pearl necklace and a pearl chaplet. Gauhar Ara Begum and Hamida Banu Begum arranged the ceremony.[10] Sipihr was given a yearly allowance of 6000 rupees.[11]

Sipihr and Zubdat-un-Nissa had a son named Ali Tabar, born on 13 July 1676. The emperor went to Sipihr Shukoh’s house to see the child. Ali Tabar died in December of the same year and the robe of mourning was given.[12][13]

Death

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He died in 1708, and his body was buried in Agra fort by Emperor Bahadur Shah

Ancestry

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Positions

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References

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sipihr Shikoh.
  1. ^ Mughal title Mirza, the title of Mirza and not Khan or Padshah, which were the titles of the Mongol rulers.
  2. ^ Lahori, Abdul Hamid (1872). BadshahNamah.
  3. ^ Lahori, Abdul Hamid (1872). BadshahNamah.
  4. ^ Eraly, Abraham (2004). The Mughal Throne - The Saga of India's Great Emperors. London: Phoenix. p. 352. ISBN 9789351181286. With a wild war whoop, some 10,000 braves under Sipihr Shukoh, Dara's teenaged son, and Rustam Khan Dakhni, a legendary warrior, galloped out of the curtain of cannon smoke and swooped down on Aurangzeb's artillery in front of them.
  5. ^ Qanugo, Kalika Ranjan (1935). Buography of Dara Shukoh - Vol.1 (PDF). Calcutta: M.C Sarkar and Sons.
  6. ^ Qanugo, Kalika Ranjan (1935). Buography of Dara Shukoh - Vol.1 (PDF). Calcutta: M.C Sarkar and Sons.
  7. ^ Manucci, Niccolao (1907). Moghul India 1653-1708. London: John Murray. p. 340. Since Jaswant Singh sent no answer, the afflicted Dara repeated his letter, already dreading that Jaswant Singh would play him false. To compel him to come, he decided to send [240] to him his own son, Super Xaca (Sipihr Shukoh), entreating the rajah not to desert him on this occasion, for on him depended the victory and a decision about the crown.
  8. ^ Sarkar, Jadunath (1947). Maasir-i-Alamgiri. Delhi: B.R Publications. p. 74. Multafat Khan, who had gone to bring Muhammad Sultan and Sipihr Shukoh, had audience on Sunday, the 8th December 1672/27th Shaban. Palaces were assigned in the fort of Salimgarh for the residence of both.
  9. ^ Sarkar, Jadunath (1947). Maasir-i-Alamgiri. Delhi: B.R Publications. p. 77. On Monday, the 16th December, 1672, the Emperor ordered that Darab Khan should bring Muhammad Sultan and Sipihr Shukoh into the khwabgah (sleeping chamber of His Majesty). Both of them had audience; after interview they received robes and emerald sarpeches.
  10. ^ Sarkar, Jadunath (1947). Maasir-i-Alamgiri. Delhi: B.R Publications. p. 77. On Thursday, 30th January 1673/21st Shawwal, Zubdat-un-nisa Begam was married to Sipihr Shukoh the son of Dara Shukoh. Four lakhs of rupees was fixed as the marriage-portion. The knot was tied in the mosque, in the presence of His Majesty, Qazi Abdul Wahhab, Mulla 'Auz Wajih, Mulla Y'aqub, Darbar Khan and Bakhtawar Khan. Sipihr Shukoh was presented with a jewelled dagger, a jewelled sarpech, a pearl necklace and a pearl chaplet. Gauharara Begam and Hamida Banu Begam, arranged the marriage ceremonies.
  11. ^ Sarkar, Jadunath (1947). Maasir-i-Alamgiri. Delhi: B.R Publications. p. 77. Prince Muhammad Sultan got a yearly allowance of12,000 rupees, Sipihr Shukoh of 6000 rupees, and Izid Bakhsh of 4000 rupees.
  12. ^ Sarkar, Jadunath (1947). Maasir-i-Alamgiri. Delhi: B.R Publications. p. 95. On Thursday, the 13th July/12th Jamad, a son was born to Sipihr Shukoh and Zubdatunnissa Begam; he obtained the name of 'Ali Tabar. The emperor went to Sipihr Shukoh's house to see the child.
  13. ^ Sarkar, Jadunath (1947). Maasir-i-Alamgiri. Delhi: B.R Publications. p. 98. Sultan 'Ali Tabar, son of Sipihr Shukoh, died and the robe of mourning was given.


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