Last ruler of Mughal Dynasty?
VerifiedAnswer: Bahadur Shah Zafer
Explanation:
Bahadur Shah Zafer (1775-1862) holds the distinction of being the last Mughal emperor of India. Born as Abu Zafer Sirajuddin Muhammad Bahadur Shah Zafer, he ascended to the throne in 1837 at the age of 62, following the death of his father, Akbar Shah II.
By the time Bahadur Shah Zafer became emperor, the once-mighty Mughal Empire had already declined significantly. His authority was largely confined to the Red Fort in Delhi, and the British East India Company had become the real power in India. The emperor's role had become more ceremonial than political, with minimal actual control over the subcontinent.
Bahadur Shah Zafer was not just a ruler but also a accomplished poet and calligrapher. He wrote poetry under the pen name 'Zafer', which means 'victory' in Arabic. His literary contributions include beautiful Urdu and Persian verses that reflected the melancholy of a declining empire and personal sorrows.
The most significant event during his reign was the Indian Rebellion of 1857, also known as the Sepoy Mutiny or the First War of Independence. Though reluctant initially, the aged emperor was proclaimed the leader of the rebellion by the mutineers who sought to restore Mughal authority. However, his involvement was more symbolic than active, as he lacked the resources and military strength to effectively lead the revolt.
After the failure of the 1857 rebellion, the British captured Delhi in September 1857. Bahadur Shah Zafer was arrested and put on trial for rebellion and treason. The British used his trial as an opportunity to formally end the Mughal dynasty and establish direct British rule over India, marking the beginning of the British Raj in 1858.
Following his conviction, Bahadur Shah Zafer was exiled to Rangoon (now Yangon) in Burma (now Myanmar) in 1858. He spent his final years in captivity, separated from his homeland and family. The last Mughal emperor died in exile on November 7, 1862, at the age of 87. He was buried in a simple grave in Rangoon, far from the grandeur of his ancestors' tombs in Delhi and Agra.
