Bahadur Shah Zafar was the last and twentieth Mughal ruler of India. Also known as Bahadur Shah II, he was a nominal ruler, whose powers were limited within Shahjahanabad. Being sensitive to the art and beauty of things, he forged his craft in poetry, music, and calligraphy.
Bahadur Shah Zafar succeeded his father, Emperor Akbar Shah II, to the throne of the Mughal Empire at the age of 62 and continued for 20 years till the onset of the First War of Independence in 1857.
Following his participation in the Indian Mutiny of 1857, the British convicted him of multiple offences and sent him to Rangoon. Though his reign is incomparable with his acclaimed ancestors such as Akbar, he was instrumental in rallying the soldiers under his leadership for the Indian rebellion of 1857.
Biographies of personalities are important for UPSC IAS Exam preparation. These notes will also be useful for competitive exams like Bank PO, SSC, state civil services exams, and so on.
In this article, you can read about the life and contributions of the last Mughal ruler of India, Bahadur Shah II.
Bahadur Shah Zafar-Download PDF Here
Early Life of Bahadur Shah Zafar
- Bahadur Shah Zafar was born in 1775 at Delhi to Akbar Shah II and Lalbai. Initially named Abu Zafar Sirajuddin Muhammad Bahadur Shah Zafar, he was popularly known as Bahadur Shah Zafar.
- He was educated in Arabic and Persian, trained in combat, horse riding, and archery. He cultivated a deep interest in arts, music, calligraphy, and spirituality. He was so versed in calligraphy that he sent handwritten copies of the Quran to mosques.
Reign
- After the death of Akbar Shah II in 1837, Bahadur Shah II ascended the throne of the Mughal Empire on 28 September 1857. Bahadur was an aesthete and never wished to take up the administration of the Empire. This was the primary reason to assume that he was not a favourable candidate to head the Mughal Empire. He replaced Mirza Jehangir, the well-deserved successor of Akbar Shah due to disapproval of the British.
- By the 18th century, the sovereignty of the Maratha Empire had brought the Mughal Empire close to decline in Deccan. The territories under the Mughal Empire had become independent kingdoms or were absorbed by the Maratha Empire. Once the British established control over the region, Bahadur Shah II became a namesake ruler, devoid of real authority or faculty. Thus, Bahadur Shah ascended the throne of the Mughal empire, which lost its glory, power and shrunk to its minimal form.
- From the beginning of his reign, Bahadur had the least interest in statecraft, and neither possessed imperial ambitions. Moreover, he was a liberal, peace-loving person, with regard for all religions. Bahadur Shah Zafar had a genuine interest in Urdu poetry and had written a number of Urdu ghazals by himself. He is also attributed to the re-construction of monuments like Zafar Mahal at Red Fort.
- His court was home to many prominent Urdu poets, including Mirza Ghalib, Daagh Dehlvi, Momin Khan Momin, and Mohammad Ibrahim Zauq. Mohammad Ibrahim Zauq was the mentor of Bahadur Shah Zafar. Many of his works were destroyed, post the 1857 rebellion, but some of the notable works were assembled and compiled into the Kulliyyat-i-Zafar.
Religious beliefs
- Bahadur Shah Zafar was an ardent believer in Sufism. He indeed believed in the magical and superstitial side of Sufism. He considered charms as a palliative for his chronic health issues, as a means to ward off evil. He was in contact with pirs, magical workers, and Hindu astrologers.
- He committed sacrifices of camels and buffaloes, wore rings as a means of protection, and arrested black magicians. He also donated elephants to Sufi shrines and cows to poor people. He emphasized that Hinduism and Islam share the same spirit. This philosophy was followed in his court that manifested a Hindu-Islamic composite culture.
Note: Aspirants can go through topic India under Mughals from the linked article
1857 Rebellion
- Even though Bahadur Shah Zafar ruled as a nominal leader, his unbiased attitude towards religion made Indian kings and regiments accept him as the Emperor of India. The sepoys arrived at the court of Bahadur Shah Zafar as a part of the Revolt of 1857.
- He was rather indecisive and had no plans to accommodate the sepoys nor become a part of the rebellion. However, he submitted to the yields of sepoys who convinced him that they could not win the rebellion without a leaderly figure to represent them.
- Once he became a part of the rebellion, he took responsibility for the actions of the mutineers. Though he was not happy with the unrest and disorder in the city, he extended public support for the cause of the mutiny. In light of the chaotic and vexatious situation in the city, he nominated his elder son, Mirza Mughal, to command the forces.
- However, the sepoys were reluctant to accept him as the leader owing to his inexperience in military affairs, and they were also not flexible with someone other than their officers. Just like Bahadur Shah, his son was unable to expand the administration further.
- When the revolt was about to end, and the victory of the British was certain, Bahadur fled to the tomb of Humayun, which lay on the outskirts of the city. On 20th September 1857, the British forces under Major William Hudson surrounded the fort and captured him.
- He was then imprisoned in the house of Zinat Mahal in Lal Kuan along with his family and was not entitled to any favourable treatment owing to his previous designation as the Emperor. Hodson shot his sons Mirza Mughal and Mirza Khizr Sultan, and grandson Mirza Abu Bakht at Kooni Darwaza or the Gate of the Blood. On 14th September 1857, the British declared the city of Delhi, captured.
- Trials for Bahadur Shah Zafar were held in Red Fort, and he was charged with four allegations, including aiding and assisting the sepoys in rebellion, encouraging people to wage war against the British government, assuming the sovereignty of the nation, and causing the murder of Christians.
- Bahadur Shah Zafar tried to defend himself as he acted according to the will of the sepoys. However, his justifications were nullified by statements from sepoys, who sketched his involvement in initiating the rebellion. False shreds of evidence presented by his close acquaintances and sepoys affirmed his participation. Amidst the harassment by those around him, he was treated as the prime accused in the rebellion.
- With the fear of future challenges from the descendants of the King, and general Hudson’s guarantee of his surrender, the King, along with his wife and remaining sons was sent to exile in Rangoon, Burma. On 4th December 1858, he departed for Rangoon on a ship named ‘Magoera’ and reached there on 10 December 1858.
- In Rangoon, they were kept under the strict surveillance of the British. They were prohibited from using pen, paper, and ink. The public was not allowed to meet them, and the servants could meet them using a daily pass.
Read about Bahadur Shah Zafar’s deportation on March 9 from the linked article.
Final years
- Bahadur’s health had already deteriorated on arrival to Rangoon. He was aged and also developed paralysis in the throat ,which led to his death on November 7, 1862.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bahadur Shah Zafar
What was Bahadur Shah Zafar famous for?
Bahadur Shah Zafar was the last ruler of the Mughal Empire. Even though he was a nominal ruler under the British, he was genuinely interested in arts, music, and poetry. He was a noted Urdu poet, who wrote several Urdu poems and ghazals, which were later compiled into Kulliyyat-i-Zafar.
What was the role of Bahadur Shah Zafar in the revolt of 1857?
Bahadur Shah Zafar was a namesake ruler under the British and had the least interest in administering the Empire. He was rather indecisive and reluctant to join the Indian Mutiny of 1857. However, he became the nominal leader of the rebellion.
Why was Bahadur Shah Zafar chosen as the leader of the revolt of 1857?
The Indian Mutiny of 1857 did not have a proclaimed leader, and the mutineers believed they could not succeed without a leader figure to represent them. Finally, when the troops arrived in Delhi, they requested Bahadur Shah Zafar to accept the leadership of the revolt.
Who is the last Emperor of the Mughal dynasty?
Bahadur Shah Zafar, known as Bahadur Shah II, was the final and twentieth ruler of the Mughal dynasty in India. Unlike his illustrious ancestors, he was a rather cold and indecisive ruler with the least interest in governance. He was a nominal ruler under the British.
Who captured Bahadur Shah Zafar after the rebellion of 1857?
Bahadur Shah Zafar fled with his family to the tomb of Humayun. On 20 September 1857, he was arrested by Major William Hudson. He was imprisoned the same day, along with his wife, and two of his sons were shot the next day.
What is the slogan of Bahadur Shah Zafar?
The famous slogan of Bahadur Shan Zafar is “baat karni mujhe mushkil kabhi aisi to na thi”.
Where is Bahadur Shah Zafar buried?
The tomb of Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Emperor of the Mughal dynasty is in Yangon, Myanmar (Burma)
Note: You may get all the History Questions for the UPSC Mains exam by visiting the linked article.
Start your IAS Exam preparation by understanding the UPSC Syllabus in-depth and planning your approach accordingly.
Related Links:
Comments