Bahadur Shah Zafar : The Last Mughal Emperor
Table of Contents
Who was Bahadur Shah Zafar?
Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal Emperor, ascended the throne in 1837 when he was 62 years old. He succeeded his father Akbar Shah II.
Political Situation when he became the emperor:
• He became an emperor at a time when Mughal Empire was confined to Delhi only.
• In the 18th century, Marathas had already defeated Mughals in the Central India. And British defeated Marathas in the 3 Anglo Maratha Wars
• In addition, after the Treaty of Allahabad in 1765, signed by Shah Alam II, Mughal Empire had also lost Awadh and Bengal to the Britishers.
• Hyderabad, Arcot and South India was already free from Mughals but had come under the control of British
Some Facts about Bahadur Shah Zafar:
Bahadur Shah Zafar and the Revolt of 1857
Capture of Zafar by the British Forces:
Exiled to Rangoon
• Zafar was tried at the Red Fort by the company and he was exiled to Rangoon in Myanmar.
• In 1858. Zafar along with his 2 remaining sons and his wives were transported to Burma.
• He died there in 1862 at the age of 87.
FAQs
While he was exiled to Rangoon by the British for his involvement in 1857 rebellion, there he died at the age of 87 due to paralysis in his throat.
After he was sentenced for imprisonment in Rangoon, the following day, British army killed his 2 sons and 1 grand son.
He was the last powerful Mughal Emperor who was involved in the 1857 rebellion. For his involvement, he was exiled to Rangoon in 1858.
Bahadur Shah Zafar died in Rangoon while he was exiled there by the British. He died because of paralysis in his throat.
His last words were, “Baat karni mujhse mushkil kabhi aisi to na thi, Jaisi ab hai Tari mehfill kabhi aisi to na thi”
Bakht Khan forced Bahadur Shah Zafar to participate in the revolt of 1857.