'The book we needed - about the man we need.'

- Arun Shourie, Economist, journalist, author and politician, winner of the, Ramon Magsaysay Award

'This is a stunning book ... Avik Chanda makes Dara Shukoh, the man, come alive and, in an engaging way, makes history come alive too.'

- Bibek Debroy, Author, and Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister

'An elegantly written study of the promise and tragedy of a Mughal prince whose vision of India remains relevant to this day.'

- Sugata Bose, Gardiner Professor of Oceanic History and Affairs, Harvard University


Dara Shukoh -- the emperor Shah Jahan's favourite son, and heir-apparent to the Mughal throne prior to being defeated by Aurangzib -- has sometimes been portrayed as an effete prince, incompetent in military and administrative matters. But his tolerance towards other faiths, and the myths and anecdotes surrounding him, continue to fuel the popular imagination. Even today, over 350 years after his death, the debate rages on: if this 'good' Mughal had ascended the throne instead of his pugnacious younger brother, how would that have changed the course of Indian history? Dara Shukoh: The Man Who Would Be King brings to life the story of this enigmatic Mughal prince. Rich in historical detail and psychological insight, it brilliantly recreates a bygone age, and presents an empathetic and engaging portrait of the crown prince who was, in many ways, clearly ahead of his times.