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Nadira Begum Tomb (built 17th century)

Nadira Begum was the wife of Dara Shikoh, the eldest son of Shah Jahan and heir-apparent to his throne. In 1657 a power struggle broke out between Dara Shikoh and his three brothers over succession to the throne after Shah Jahan fell ill. Initially, fate seemed to favor Dara Shikoh. He prevailed in battle against his brother Shah Shuja and gained signifiant support from his father, who recovered enough to assist Dara Shikoh in his bid for power. However, father and son could not overcome the combined strength of his two other brothers, Aurangzeb and Murad.

Dara Shikoh and his wife attempted to flee to the west and south, but they were betrayed by Malik Jiwan, a Baluch cheiftain, who turned them over to Aurangzeb's army in June, 1659. Nadira died several months later prior to the assassination of her husband on August 30, 1659.

The tomb stands on a raised platform at the center of what used to be a vast water tank. The tank was dismantled during the British period.

Location

The approximate location of the tomb is 31.548304' N, 74.362007' E (WGS 84 map datum).