DARA SHIKOH; AN AMBASSADOR OF INDO - ISLAMIC MYSTICISM

Dara Shikoh (1615-1659) was reknowed Sufi, author, poet, and translator of Hindu Religious Testimonies. He is the eldest son of Shahjahan and designated crown prince. He occupied a unique position among all Mughal princes because of his comparative study of Islamic mysticism and classical Hindu philosophy. Dara Shikoh greatly worked for the Indo- Islamic mysticism by highlighting the similarities between ancient Hindu and Islamic Sufi teachings. He not only followed the liberal religious attitude of his grandfather Akbar but gave a new dimension to Indo-Islamic Mysticism in India and it spread all over the world through his mystical works. Dara Shikoh being a disciple of Mian Mir Qadari and a great follower of Qadari order of Sufism devoted his much time for the search of truth. And during his study and research he felt that the search for God (truth) was same at all the times and all over the world. He preached the mingling of classical Hindu philosophy and Islamic Mysticism and always tried to find the common grounds between these two thoughts so that a healthier tradition could be produced, that will lead to universal brotherhood among the followers of different religions, which is outmost need of the present world. This was crux of Indo-Islamic Mysticism produced by the Dara Shikoh. He was executed by his younger brother Aurangzeb on political and religious basis. Aurangzeb was a stanch Sunnie Muslim, who followed the policy of intolerance with Hindus and spiritual persons like Dara Shikoh and the great Sufi sage and Persian poet Sarmad.