If he had been born a commoner, perhaps he would have lived and died a saint. But destiny had something else in store for Dara Shukoh. This gentle scholar and philosopher was born heir to the Mughal throne. Eldest son of the Emperor Shah Jahan and Empress Mumtaz Mahal, Dara lacked the cunning, tact and ruthlessness required in an heir to the Peacock Throne. And the one who had all three attributes was his younger brother, Aurangazeb.