STC NEWS MONITORING DESK
NEW DELHI, APRIL 02 (STC): Even as royal rule has ceased in India with the nation’s declaration as a republic in 1947, numerous offspring of these previously influential families remain living in India and, in numerous instances, claiming ownership of their ancestors’ properties and lands. Among them are influential members like Maharani Rajikaraje Gaekwad and Princess Diya Kumari of Rajasthan, influential individuals from the royal circle living in India.
One such person creating ripples in the royal world is Prince Yakub Habeebuddin Tucy, who alleges being a descendant of the Mughal emperors. The prince has stepped into the limelight announcing himself as the sixth-generation heir of Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last emperor of the Mughals, which connects his lineage to great Mughal emperors like Aurangzeb, Shah Jahan, and Akbar. Prince Tucy has been in the news for claiming rights to some of India’s most important symbols of Mughal heritage, such as the Taj Mahal and the problematic Ayodhya Ram Mandir site.
Prince Tucy’s most notorious claim till date has been the one for owning the Taj Mahal, India’s legendary white marble mausoleum. His claim was made years ago and caused great media attention. To validate his claims, the prince even filed a DNA report before the Hyderabad court, which was reportedly admitted by the court, going to further strengthen his daring claims.
Apart from his assertion on the Taj Mahal, the prince was also embroiled in controversy during the Ayodhya Ram Mandir issue. Tucy rose to prominence when he challenged the Wakf board that had previously laid claim on the controversial property. As per the prince, if the property was connected to Babur, the Mughal emperor who had commissioned the building of the Babri Masjid on the land, then he and his family were the legitimate owners of it. He went on to declare that he had no problem if the Ram Temple were to be built on the property, even donating a golden brick for the temple itself along with the whole property in order to make the project feasible.
Apart from his purported claims over these heritage sites, Prince Yakub Habeebuddin Tucy is Mutawalli and Caretaker of Aurangzeb’s Grave in Maharashtra. He takes charge of looking after the tomb of the controversial Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, who ruled much of India in the 17th century. The prince has been outspoken in calling for the protection of this historic monument, especially considering recent vandalism incidents. In one, Tucy petitioned the President of India, asking the government to do something to protect the monument.
Prince Yakub Habeebuddin Tucy’s public image is closely linked to his royal Mughal lineage. His fashion sense attests to the heritage, as he is typically dressed in the long, majestic robes and a similar cap that Mughal emperors used to wear. His fashion also supports the persona of a man of royal blood, one who prides himself on his heritage and the history that he comes from. His online profiles often reflect these traditional looks, harkening to the grandeur and gravitas of the Mughal empire.
(Source Times of India)