Romantics have it that the Shah, his spirit broken by the death of his wife, eventually succumbed to heartbreak and loneliness. More important than the cause of his illness - which was likely to be a combination of factors, including age - was the rivalry unleashed among his sons as soon as they heard their father was ailing. Shah Jahan's favorite son was the eldest, Dara Shikoh (1615-59). The least liked was Aurangzeb (1618-1707). Of all the brothers he was the most able - and the one who eventually took over. In the fight for the throne, all except Dara were sent to battle, and it was then that Aurangzeb distinguished himself as a leader in the military field.
