Sipihr Shikoh

Mirza Sipihr Shikoh (Persian: میرزا سیپهر شیکوه) (13 October 1644 – 2 or 3 July 1708) 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
Sipihr Shukoh was born on Thursday, 11 Shaban, 1054 (13 October 1644), 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.

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.

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. 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. 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. 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).

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. Sipihr was given a yearly allowance of 6000 rupees. 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.

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

Positions

 * Governor of Odisha (1680–1696)
 * Qiledar of Red Fort (1701–1708)