Dara Shiko’s pluralistic outlook interest in different faiths, art and architecture, he had a deep understanding of India’s diverse culture. Elaborate (200 Words)
Refer - The Indian Express
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IAS Parliament 3 years
KEY POINTS
· Dara Shikoh, was a champion of interfaith understanding, philosopher, artist, architect, translator, poet and administrator.
· Though Dara Shikoh had very little military experience as Shah Jahan had kept him in the court.
· He strove to develop cordial relationships between people by finding commonalities between Hinduism and Islam and bringing their cultures into dialogue.
· His most important works, Majma-ul-Bahrain (Mingling of Two Oceans) and Sirr-i-Akbar (Great Mystery), are devoted to the cause of establishing connections between Hinduism and Islam.
· He not only discovered commonalities but even said that the foundation of the two religions is the same, which is the belief, “One Reality and One God”.
· Dara Shikoh acquired proficiency in Sanskrit and Persian, which enabled him to play a key role in popularising Indian culture and Hindu religious thought.
· He translated the Upanishads and other important sources of Hindu religion and spirituality from Sanskrit to Persian.
· it was Dara Shikoh’s pioneering work that led to the dissemination of India’s culture outside the Subcontinent.
· This is his outstanding contribution to India’s intellectual and religious heritage.
· A rare miniature painting showing him with his spiritual masters is preserved in the library of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).
· Dara Shikoh, as a true child of India, is an icon for tolerance, harmony and togetherness.
