Introduction
Dawar or Dawar Bakhsh (1603 – 23 January 1628), which means "God Given" was the ruler of the Moghul Empire for a short time between 1627–1628, immediately after the death of his grandfather Jahangir (r. 1605–1627). It was the title given to 'Bulaki' on his accession to the Moghul throne. He was the grandson of Jahangir, the eldest son of Prince Khusuru, who was killed in 1622, at the behest of Prince Khurram (Shah Jahan), for rebelling against his father Jahangir.
Earlier he was made the Diwan of the Dakhin, and later Governor of Gujrat, by his grandfather, Jahangir. Upon the death of the latter, he became a pawn in the political game to seize the Moghul throne. He was declared the Moghul Emperor by Asaf Khan as a stopgap arrangement to counter the claims of the queen Nur Jahan, who wanted Shahryar as the king.
Dawar Baksh’s daughter, Hoshmand Banu Begum, was married to Hoshang, son of Prince Daniyal, the last son of Akbar.
Dawar's ascension and death
Upon the death of Jahangir, in order to secure the accession of Shah Jahan, Asaf Khan, the brother of Nur Jehan, brought Dawar Baksh out of confinement, declared him king and sent him to Lahore.
However, Nur Jahan favoured Jahangir’s youngest son, Shahriyar, to ascend, and since he was in Lahore at the time, he ascended to the throne, captured state treasury and, in an attempt to secure his throne, distributed over 70 lakh rupees amongst old and new noblemen. Meanwhile, Mirza Baisinghar, son of the late Prince Daniyal, on the death of the Emperor, fled to Lahore, and joined Shahryar.
The two forces met near Lahore. Shahryar lost the battle and fled into the fort, where the next morning he was presented in front of Dawar Baksh, who placed him in confinement.
On Jumada-l awwal 2, 1037 AH (30 December 1627) Shah Jahan was proclaimed Emperor at Lahore, and on Jumada-l awwal 26, 1037 AH (23 January 1628) on his orders, Dawar, his brother Garshásp, Shahryar, and Tahmuras and Hoshang, sons of the deceased Prince Daniyal, were all put to death.