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Bahadur Shah-I
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- He emerged victorious in war of succession that followed Aurangzeb’s death.
- He favored a pacific policy.
- He made peace with Guru Gobind Singh but later led campaign against the Sikhs, who rose in rebellion under Banda Bahadur.
- State finances deteriorated on the account reckless grant of Jagirs.
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Jahandar Shah (1712-13)
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- He became king with the support of Zulfiqar Khan, who was appointed as the Wazir or Prime Minister.
- The administration was under Zulfiqar Khan.
- He encouraged ijarah or revenue farming, which resulted in oppression Jahandar Shah of the peasants.
- He was defeated by Farrukh Siyar supported by Saiyad brothers.
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Farrukh Siyar (1713-19)
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- He was engaged in strife for power with Saiyad brothers, who had been gaining influence in administration of the Empire.
- He was killed by Saiyid brothers in 1719.
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Saiyid Brothers
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- Saiyid brothers-Abdulla Khan and Hussain Ali Khan.
- They were popularly known as ‘king makers’ for their role in enthroning and dethroning kings at will
- Their influence in administration increased substantially.
- They tried to save the empire from rebellions and administrative disintegration but failed due to court intrigues
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Muhammad Shah (1720-48)
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- He neglected administration of the empire
- He himself indulged in court intrigues
- Nadir Shah invaded India during his reign.
- Area of effective control under the empire declined during his reign.
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Ahmad Shah (1748-54)
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- Son of Muhammad Shah Rangeela and Kudsiya Begum (a dancing girl).
- Ineffectual Mughal emperor of India from 1748 to 1754, who has been characterized as good-natured but incompetent and without personality, training, or qualities of leadership.
- Twice during his reign, the Afghan Ahmad Shah Abdali plundered the northwest Punjab area, extorting money and land from him.
- The Marathas snatched Malwa and Bundelkhand.
- His wazir, Imad-ul-Mulk, blinded him and imprisoned him at Salimgarh.
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Alamgir II (1754-59)
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- He was the second son of Jahandar Shah and was raised to the throne by Imad-ul-Mulk after he deposed Ahmad Shah.
- Had to face repeated invasions of Ahmad Shah Abdali.
- The famous Battle of Plassey ( 23 June c. 1757 CE) was fought during his tenure. The Battle of Plassey helped the British East India Company to seize control of Bengal.
- He was also murdered by his wazir, Imad-ul-Mulk.
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Shah Alam II / Ali Gauhar (1759-1806)
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- During his reign, the Mughal power was so depleted that it led to a saying in Persian “Sultanat-e-Shah Alam, Az Dili ta Palam”, meaning “The kingdom of Shah Alam is from Delhi to Palam,” Palam being a suburb of Delhi.
- Due to his conflict with the wazir, he fled to Awadh (c. 1761 – 1764 CE). He returned to Delhi when Marathas re-established their hold and invited him to the capital.
- Shah Alam spent his last years under the protection of the Maratha chief Sindhia, and, after the Second Maratha War (1803-05), of the British.
- The third Battle of Panipat (c. 1761 CE) was fought during his reign between the Marathas and Ahmad Shah Abdali.
- The Battle of Buxar was fought in c. 1764 CE between the forces under the command of the British East India Company, led by Hector Munro and the combined armies of Mir Qasim (Nawab of Bengal), Shuja-ud-Daula (Nawab of Awadh) and the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam Ⅱ. The war was brought to an end by the Treaty of Allahabad (c. 1765 CE) under which Diwani rights (right to collect land revenue) of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa were granted to the British East India Company.
- He was the first Mughal ruler who became an East India Company pensioner.
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- He was called ‘King of Delhi’ by the British, who issued coins bearing his name for 30 years after his death.
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Akbar Shah / Akbar Ⅱ (1806-1837)
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- He was the second son of Shah Alam II and the father of Bahadur Shah II.
- He sent Ram Mohan Roy as an ambassador to Britain and gave him the title of Raja.
- During his regime, in 1835, the East India Company (EIC) discontinued calling itself subject of the Mughal Emperor and issuing coins in his name.
- He was a great poet and is credited with the introduction of the Hindu-Muslim unity festival Phool Walon Ki Sair.
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Bahadur Shah II / Zafar (1837-1858)
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- He was the last Mughal emperor of India who reigned 1837-58. He was an accomplished poet and his pen name was Zafar (victory).
- He was a poet, musician, and calligrapher, more an aesthete than a political leader.
- For most of his reign he was a client of the British and was without real authority.
- He was chosen as nominal leader of the revolt of 1857. After the rebellion was put down by the British, he was exiled to Burma (Myanmar) with his family.
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