What was the main cause for the war of succession among the four sons of Shahjahan?a)The Mughals did not follow any definite law of succession.b)Shahjahan was more inclined towards Dara.c)Aurangzeb was over ambitious.d)None of these.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Question

Answer

The main cause for the war of succession among the four sons of Shahjahan was because of a tradition that Mughals did not follow any definite law of succession, which means that there is nothing particular about having an elder son on the throne.
Answer is option A.

Answer

Option A is correct. The main cause for the war of succession among the four sons of Shahjahan was that the Mughals did not follow any definite law of succession. Shahjahan had not named a successor and the four brothers all believed they had a valid claim to the throne. This led to a power struggle and ultimately resulted in the war of succession in 1657-58 A.D.

Answer

The main cause for the war of succession among the four sons of Shahjahan was that the Mughals did not follow any definite law of succession. Let's discuss this in detail:

1. Lack of a definite law of succession:
- The Mughal Empire did not have a clear law of succession like primogeniture, where the eldest son inherits the throne.
- This led to a power struggle among the sons of Shahjahan, each vying for the throne after their father's incapacitation.

2. Shahjahan's preference for Dara:
- Shahjahan's eldest son, Dara Shikoh, was widely believed to be his favorite.
- Shahjahan had groomed Dara to be his successor, which created resentment and jealousy among his other sons.
- Dara was seen as more liberal and inclined towards the arts and philosophy, which made him unpopular among the conservative factions of the empire.

3. Ambition of Aurangzeb:
- Aurangzeb, the third son of Shahjahan, was ambitious and cunning.
- He was not content with the prospect of being a lesser prince and sought to secure the throne for himself.
- Aurangzeb was known for his military prowess and religious orthodoxy, which appealed to the conservative factions of the empire.

4. Rivalry and power struggle:
- The war of succession was essentially a power struggle between the four sons of Shahjahan - Dara, Shuja, Aurangzeb, and Murad.
- Each son had their own supporters and alliances within the nobility.
- The war saw battles, sieges, and political maneuvering among the contenders.

In conclusion, the main cause for the war of succession among the four sons of Shahjahan was the lack of a definite law of succession in the Mughal Empire. This, coupled with Shahjahan's preference for Dara and the ambitious nature of Aurangzeb, fueled the rivalry and power struggle among the siblings.

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