Bahadur Shah I
Muhammad Mu'azzam entered the world on the 14th of October 1643 in the city of Burhanpur. He was the second son of Prince Muhi al-Din Muhammad, who would later rule as Emperor Aurangzeb. His mother Nawab Bai belonged to the Jarral tribe and held the title of Pothwari wife. An older brother named Muhammad Sultan had died while imprisoned before Mu'azzam's birth. This family background placed him directly within the imperial line of succession from his earliest days.
In 1670, Mu'azzam organized an insurgency to overthrow his father Aurangzeb. The emperor learned of this plot and sent Begum Nawab Bai to dissuade him from rebellion. Mu'azzam returned to the Mughal court where he spent several years under close supervision. He nearly revolted again in 1680 over Aurangzeb's scorched earth policy during Rajput rebellions. By 1687, spies intercepted treasonous messages exchanged between Mu'azzam and Abul Hasan, the ruler of Golconda. Aurangzeb imprisoned Mu'azzam and his sons for six months without allowing them to cut their nails or hair. The emperor ordered his harem shipped off to faraway Delhi and dispersed his staff.
Aurangzeb died in 1707 without appointing a designated successor. His third son Muhammad Azam Shah declared himself successor but was defeated at the Battle of Jajau in June 1707. Mu'azzam ascended the throne on the 19th of June 1707 with the title Bahadur Shah I. He marched to the Deccan and killed Kam Bakhsh near Hyderabad in January 1708. This conflict became one of the largest battles in Indian history. Azam Shah and his son Ali Tabar were both killed during the fighting. The victory secured the crown for the new emperor after years of family strife.
Bahadur Shah began his march to the Kingdom of Amber on the 10th of November 1707. He reached Amber on the 20th of January 1708 where he ruled that the region would become part of the Mughal empire. The city was renamed Islamabad following a dispute between brothers Sawai Jai Singh and Bijai Singh. Jai Singh's goods were confiscated because he had supported Azam Shah during the succession war. Bijai Singh received gifts valued at 100,000 rupees and the title Mirza Rajah. In Jodhpur, Ajit Singh took control from Mughal rule after Aurangzeb's death. Bahadur Shah reached Jodhpur on the 21st of February 1708 and sent men to bring Ajit Singh for an interview. The emperor then headed towards Ajmer arriving on the 24th of March 1708.
Guru Gobind Singh arrived in Agra in July 1707 and was honored by the emperor. The guru stayed with the imperial camp for ten months before accompanying Bahadur Shah to the Deccan. Guru Gobind Singh died in October 1708 while traveling to Nanded. Banda Bahadur began his uprising in Punjab only a year later. Sikhs stormed Sonipat and Samana in November 1709 defeating faujdars in battle. They captured Sirhind and several parganas of Hissar before Bahadur Shah arrived in December. Banda Bahadur established a mint at Lohgarh and abolished the mughal zamindari system. The emperor left Ajmer for Punjab on the 17th of June 1710 mobilizing groups opposed to the rebellion. Khanzada Nawab Feroz Khan reported chopping three hundred heads of rebels in October.
After ascending the throne, Emperor Bahadur Shah converted to Shia Islam. He altered the public prayer known as khutba given every Friday by giving Ali the title wasi. Citizens of Lahore resented reciting this modified version of the prayer. The emperor traveled to Lahore in September 1711 to discuss the matter with Haji Yar Muhammad and other well-known men. A heated argument ensued where the emperor stated that martyrdom by a king was all he wanted. Yar Muhammad recruited troops against Shah but no war was fought. On the 2nd of October the old khutba without the word wasi was read again after the army deployed at the mosque. The khatib responsible for the matter was arrested.
The emperor's health failed while he was in Lahore during January 1712. He made his final public appearance on the 24th of February before dying during the night of 27, the 28th of February. Mughal noble Kamwar Khan attributed his death to enlargement of the spleen. His body was sent to Delhi under the supervision of widow Mihr-Parwar and Chin Qilich Khan on the 11th of April. He was buried on the 15th of May in the courtyard of Moti Masjid in Mehrauli. Jahandar Shah succeeded him as ruler until 1713. Coins issued during his reign did not use his name in a couplet despite poet Danishmand Khan composing two lines for them.
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Common questions
When was Bahadur Shah I born and who were his parents?
Muhammad Mu'azzam entered the world on the 14th of October 1643 in the city of Burhanpur. He was the second son of Prince Muhi al-Din Muhammad, who later ruled as Emperor Aurangzeb. His mother Nawab Bai belonged to the Jarral tribe.
How did Bahadur Shah I become emperor after Aurangzeb died?
Aurangzeb died in 1707 without appointing a designated successor. Mu'azzam ascended the throne on the 19th of June 1707 with the title Bahadur Shah I after defeating his brother Muhammad Azam Shah at the Battle of Jajau in June 1707.
What happened during Bahadur Shah I's campaign against Guru Gobind Singh?
Guru Gobind Singh arrived in Agra in July 1707 and stayed with the imperial camp for ten months before accompanying Bahadur Shah to the Deccan. The guru died in October 1708 while traveling to Nanded, which led to Banda Bahadur beginning an uprising in Punjab only a year later.
Why did Bahadur Shah I travel to Lahore in September 1711?
The emperor traveled to Lahore in September 1711 to discuss religious matters regarding the modified khutba prayer with Haji Yar Muhammad. Citizens resented reciting this version because it gave Ali the title wasi, leading to a heated argument where the emperor stated he wanted martyrdom by a king.
When did Bahadur Shah I die and who succeeded him?
Bahadur Shah I made his final public appearance on the 24th of February before dying during the night of 27, the 28th of February 1712. Jahandar Shah succeeded him as ruler until 1713 after the body was buried on the 15th of May in the courtyard of Moti Masjid in Mehrauli.