Dara Shikoh Road

Dara Shikoh Road is the name given to a road in Central Delhi to honour Dara Shikoh, a Mughal prince who was the heir apparent of Shah Jahan. The road was originally named Dalhousie Road, after Lord Dalhousie. This road is located just 2 km from Rashtrapathi Bhavan.^[1]

Background

The renaming of roads is a part of India's attempt to distance itself from its colonial past. This was the third time that the NDMC has renamed a road in less than two years. In 2015, Aurangzeb Road was named as APJ Abdul Kalam Road.^[2] Race Course Road, where the Prime Minister's residence is located, was renamed as Lok Kalyan Marg in 2016.^[3]

Dara Shikoh

Main article: Dara Shikoh

Prince Dara Shikoh

Dara Shikoh, also transliterated as Dara Shukoh, (20 March 1615 – 30 August 1659) was the eldest son and heir-apparent of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Dara was designated with the title Padshahzada-i-Buzurg Martaba (lit. 'Prince of High Rank') and was favoured as a successor by his father and his elder sister, Princess Jahanara Begum. He had been given the title of 'Shah-e-Buland Iqbal' by Shah Jahan. In the war of succession which ensued after Shah Jahan's illness in 1657, Dara was defeated by his younger brother Prince Muhiuddin (later, the Emperor Aurangzeb). He was executed in 1659 on Aurangzeb's orders in a bitter struggle for the imperial throne.^[4]

The new namesake, was more than just a Mughal prince. He was a scholar deeply interested in fostering peace and understanding between Hinduism and Islam. His passion for comparative religions, universal brotherhood, humanism, and peace is well documented. The library established in his name in Delhi stands as a testament to his insatiable curiosity and dedication to knowledge. A patron of the arts as well, Dara Shikoh's legacy extends beyond religious tolerance, encompassing a deep appreciation for Indian culture.^[5]

Renaming

Dalhousie Road, located less than 2 kilometers from the Rashtrapati Bhawan, previously bore the name of the 1st Marquess of Dalhousie, the Governor-General of India from 1848 to 1856. The NDMC's decision to rename the road reflects a shift towards honoring figures associated with India's rich cultural heritage.^{[citation needed]}

The proposal was first moved in 2014 for renaming Aurangzeb Road after Dara Shikoh. However, after former President APJ Abdul Kalam died, the road was renamed in his honour.^[6]

The municipal body passed the new proposal on 6 Feb 2017, put forward by BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi, who was also a council member, to this effect at a special meeting convened by its chairman, Naresh Kumar. It came effect on the same day.^[7]

Criticism

The renaming of Dalhousie Road sparked a conversation about the importance of remembering historical figures who championed tolerance and intellectual pursuits. While some may debate the necessity of renaming historical landmarks, this shift undeniably reflects a desire to celebrate figures who embody the values of a pluralistic society.^{[neutrality is disputed]} AAP MLA Surinder Singh questioned the timing of the recommendation in view of assembly polls in four states.^{[citation needed]}

See also

• Dara Shikoh
• Lok Kalyan Marg