Aurangzeb's Ascent to the Mughal Throne

The question asks about the historical figure who killed his brothers and placed his father under house arrest to secure the throne. This describes the actions of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb during the war of succession.

Aurangzeb and the War of Succession

The Mughal Empire, like many other empires, often experienced succession struggles. Upon Emperor Shah Jahan falling ill in 1657, a fierce war of succession erupted among his four sons: Dara Shikoh, Shah Shuja, Murad Bakhsh, and Aurangzeb.

• Dara Shikoh: He was Shah Jahan's eldest and favorite son, designated as the heir apparent. Aurangzeb viewed him as a major rival.
• Shah Shuja: He was the second son and the governor of Bengal. He also declared himself emperor.
• Murad Bakhsh: He was the youngest son and the governor of Gujarat. He allied with Aurangzeb initially.
• Aurangzeb: The third son, known for his military prowess and administrative skills, systematically eliminated his brothers to claim the throne.

Aurangzeb's Actions to Secure Power

Aurangzeb meticulously planned and executed his path to power:

• He defeated and eventually executed his elder brother, Dara Shikoh, after several battles, most notably the Battle of Samugarh.
• He betrayed and imprisoned his younger brother Murad Bakhsh, who was later executed.
• He pursued and defeated his other brother, Shah Shuja, who fled and was never seen again.
• After consolidating his power by eliminating his brothers, Aurangzeb then placed his father, Emperor Shah Jahan, under house arrest in the Agra Fort. Shah Jahan spent his last years imprisoned, often gazing at the Taj Mahal, which he had built for his beloved wife.

These actions ensured that Aurangzeb faced no further direct challenge to his rule from within his immediate family, making him the undisputed Mughal emperor.

Analysis of Other Options

Let's consider why the other options are incorrect in the context of the question:

• Humayun: The second Mughal emperor, Humayun, faced challenges from his brothers (Kamran Mirza, Askari, Hindal) but he did not kill them to gain the throne. He eventually lost his empire to Sher Shah Suri and later regained it.
• Akbar: The third and one of the greatest Mughal emperors, Akbar, succeeded his father Humayun peacefully. While he faced rebellions, he did not kill his brothers or imprison his father to become emperor.
• Bahadur Shah II: The last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah II (also known as Bahadur Shah Zafar), reigned much later. He was a symbolic figurehead during the 1857 Indian Rebellion and was exiled by the British, not involved in a succession struggle killing brothers or imprisoning his father for the throne.

Therefore, based on historical records, Aurangzeb is the correct answer as he is the one who famously killed his brothers and imprisoned his father, Shah Jahan, to secure the Mughal throne.