Correct Option
The Battle of Dharmat was fought in 1658 between Aurangzeb and Dara Shikoh. This engagement was a pivotal event in the Mughal War of Succession, which erupted following Emperor Shah Jahan's severe illness. Dara Shikoh, the eldest son and designated heir, was challenged by his younger brother Aurangzeb, who formed an alliance with Murad Bakhsh. The battle took place near Ujjain, where Dara Shikoh's forces, led by Raja Jaswant Singh of Jodhpur, confronted Aurangzeb's army. Aurangzeb's superior strategy and artillery, coupled with the defection of some of Dara's allies, led to a decisive victory for Aurangzeb. This battle marked the initial major defeat for Dara Shikoh, paving Aurangzeb's path towards the Mughal throne and culminating in the Battle of Samugarh and Dara's eventual execution.
Incorrect Options
- (1) Muhammad Ghori and Jai Chand: This refers to the Battle of Chandawar, fought in 1194. In this battle, Muhammad Ghori defeated Raja Jai Chand of Kannauj, which further consolidated the Ghurid presence in northern India. This event predates the Mughal era and the War of Succession.
- (2) Babur and Afghans: Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire, fought several battles against Afghan chieftains, most notably the Battle of Ghaghra in 1529. In this battle, Babur defeated the combined forces of the Afghans of Bihar and Bengal. This occurred over a century before the Battle of Dharmat and the Mughal War of Succession.
- (4) Ahmad Shah Durrani and the Marathas: This refers to the Third Battle of Panipat, fought in 1761. In this significant conflict, Ahmad Shah Durrani (Abdali) inflicted a devastating defeat on the Maratha Confederacy. This battle took place much later than the Mughal War of Succession and is unrelated to the conflict between Aurangzeb and Dara Shikoh.