Bogdansry at 17:56, 25 January 2026

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{{Short description|Road in Central Delhi, India named after Dara Shikoh}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2025}}
<mapframe latitude="28.611067" longitude="77.20361" zoom="16" width="227" height="190" />

'''Dara Shikoh Road''' is the name given to a road in [[Central Delhi district|Central Delhi]] to honour [[Dara Shikoh]], a [[Mughal people|Mughal]] prince who was the [[heir apparent]] of [[Shah Jahan]]. The road was originally named '''Dalhousie Road''', after [[James Broun-Ramsay, 1st Marquess of Dalhousie|Lord Dalhousie]]. This road is located just 2 km from [[Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi|Rashtrapathi Bhavan]].<ref name="thehindu">{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/Dalhousie-Road-becomes-Dara-Shikoh-Road/article17201267.ece|title=Dalhousie Road becomes Dara Shikoh Road|newspaper=The Hindu|first=Damini|last=Nath|date=6 February 2017|access-date=2024-06-30}}</ref>

==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.<ref name="indiatimes">{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/news/finally-aurangzeb-lane-is-now-dr-apj-abdul-kalam-lane/videoshow/101548961.cms|title=abdul kalam road: Finally, Aurangzeb Lane is now Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Lane {{pipe}} News - Times of India Videos|website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com|access-date=2024-06-30}}</ref> [[Race Course Road]], where the Prime Minister's residence is located, was renamed as [[Lok Kalyan Marg]] in 2016.<ref name="indiatimes2">{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/iconic-race-course-road-renamed-as-lok-kalyan-marg/articleshow/54448916.cms|title=Iconic Race Course Road renamed as Lok Kalyan Marg {{pipe}} Delhi News|website=Times of India|date=21 September 2016 |access-date=2024-06-30}}</ref>

==Dara Shikoh==
{{main|Dara Shikoh}}[[File:Dara Shikoh.jpg|thumb|'''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.<ref name="scroll">{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/article/879195/aurangzeb-and-dara-shikohs-fight-for-the-throne-was-entwined-with-the-rivalry-of-their-two-sisters|author=Ira Mukhoty|website=scroll.in|title=Aurangzeb and Dara Shikoh's fight for the throne was entwined with the rivalry of their two sisters|date=17 May 2018 |access-date=2024-06-30}}</ref>

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]]. A patron of the arts as well, Dara Shikoh's legacy extends beyond religious tolerance, encompassing a deep appreciation for Indian culture.<ref name="hindu">{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/11/stories/2008111158760200.htm|archive-date=2011-09-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110905080509/http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/11/stories/2008111158760200.htm|website=hindu.com|title=The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : A forgotten symbol of composite culture|access-date=2024-06-30}}</ref>

==Renaming==
Dalhousie Road, located less than 2 kilometers from the [[Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi|Rashtrapati Bhawan]], previously bore the name of [[James Broun-Ramsay, 1st Marquess of Dalhousie|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|date=January 2025}}

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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=abdul kalam road: Finally, Aurangzeb Lane is now Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Lane {{!}} News - Times of India Videos |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/news/finally-aurangzeb-lane-is-now-dr-apj-abdul-kalam-lane/videoshow/101548961.cms |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref>

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.<ref name="newindianexpress">{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/Feb/06/dalhousie-road-renamed-as-dara-shikoh-road-after-aurganzebs-brother-1567571.html|website=newindianexpress.com|title=Dalhousie Road renamed as Dara Shikoh Road after Aurganzeb's brother|date=6 February 2017 |access-date=2024-06-30}}</ref>

==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.{{POV statement|date=January 2025}} AAP MLA Surinder Singh questioned the timing of the recommendation in view of assembly polls in four states.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

==See also==
*[[Dara Shikoh]]
*[[Lok Kalyan Marg]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Roads in Delhi]]
[[Category:Streets in New Delhi]]
[[Category:Decolonization]]
[[Category:Tourism in Delhi]]

Dara Shikoh Road - Revision history

Bogdansry at 17:56, 25 January 2026