Which of the following Muslim rulers remained in the captivity of his son?

Appeared in: BCCL kharkhanda Staff Nurse - 2015

Explanation

Shahjahan, the fifth Mughal emperor, is the ruler who was imprisoned by his own son.
Following a bitter war of succession among his sons, the victor, Aurangzeb, declared himself emperor in 1658.
Aurangzeb then placed his father, Shahjahan, under house arrest within the confines of the Agra Fort.
Shahjahan spent the final eight years of his life in captivity, from 1658 until his death in 1666, reportedly with a view of the Taj Mahal, which he had built.

Option A: Akbar's son, Jahangir (formerly Prince Salim), did rebel against him but was unsuccessful. Akbar was never imprisoned by his son and died as the reigning emperor.
Option B: Aurangzeb was the son who imprisoned his father, Shahjahan. He himself was never imprisoned by any of his sons and ruled until his death.
Option D: Jahangir faced a rebellion from his eldest son, Khusrau Mirza. However, Jahangir defeated and subsequently imprisoned (and blinded) his son. The roles were reversed.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Mughal Empire History and Succession as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
This event highlights the often-brutal nature of succession politics within monarchies and empires, where power struggles frequently occurred between family members.
The imprisonment of a reigning emperor by his son marked a significant turning point in Mughal history, ushering in the long and controversial reign of Aurangzeb.
What if? - If Shahjahan's chosen heir, Dara Shikoh, had won the war of succession, the later history of the Mughal Empire might have been vastly different, likely characterized by greater religious syncretism and patronage of arts, continuing Shahjahan's legacy.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question based on Indian history, specifically the Mughal period.
First, identify the core relationship described in the question: a father (ruler) being imprisoned by his son.
Next, review the options, which are all famous Mughal emperors.
Access your knowledge of each emperor's reign and their relationship with their sons.
Eliminate rulers who were not imprisoned (Akbar, Aurangzeb) or who imprisoned their sons (Jahangir).
Identify the correct pair: Shahjahan (father) and Aurangzeb (son who imprisoned him). This leads to the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QJF_p0y4hBz_rk73VlCQHO

Practise the full BCCL kharkhanda Staff Nurse - 2015

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.