Shah Alam II
On the 25th of June 1728, Ali Gauhar entered the world within the Salatin quarters of the Red Fort. He grew up in semi-captivity alongside his father, Shahzada Aziz-ud-Din, who had been deposed Mughal Emperor Jahandar Shah's son. Unlike many princes raised under similar constraints, Ali Gauhar did not become a decadent ruler. His father appointed him Wali al-Ahd, or Crown Prince, making him the principal agent of the empire. Almost all power actually resided with Wazir Imad-ul-Mulk. Quarrels with that powerful amir and fear for his own life drove Ali Gauhar to flee Delhi in 1758. He organized a militia and made a daring escape from the capital city. This flight marked the beginning of a long struggle to reclaim his birthright.
Prince Ali Gauhar appeared in the Eastern Subah in 1759 hoping to regain control over Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha. He advanced as far as Patna where he later besieged it with a combined army of over 40,000 men. The siege targeted Ramnarian, a sworn enemy of the Mughals. Mir Jafar sent his son Miran to relieve Ramnarian and retake Patna. Major John Caillaud dispersed Prince Ali Gauhar's army in 1761 after four major battles including Battle of Patna, Battle of Sirpur, Battle of Birpur, and Battle of Siwan. The conflict soon involved the intervention of the assertive East India Company. Jean Law and 200 Frenchmen joined the campaign during the Seven Years' War. Shah Alam II retreated to Allahabad and was protected by Shuja-ud-Daula, the Nawab of Awadh, from 1761 until 1764.
The Battle of Buxar was fought on the 22nd of October 1764 between the combined armies of Mir Qasim, Shuja-ud-Daula, and Shah Alam II against forces led by Hector Munro for the East India Company. It was a decisive victory for the British. Soon after this defeat, Shah Alam II sought their protection by signing the Treaty of Allahabad in 1765. He was forced to grant the Diwani, or right to collect revenue, of Bengal which included Bihar and Odisha to the East India Company. In return he received an annual tribute of 2.6 million rupees paid by the company from collected revenue. Tax exemption status was restored to the company. They further secured districts of Kora and Allahabad allowing them to collect tax from more than 20 million people. The East India Company thus became the Imperial tax collector in the former Mughal province of Bengal. A deputy named Nawab Muhammad Reza Khan collected revenue on their behalf.
Shah Alam II resided in the fort of Allahabad for six years following his defeat. Warren Hastings became head of the East India Company as first Governor of Bengal in 1774. This period saw Dual rule where the company enacted laws to maximize revenue collection while the Mughal Emperor appointed Nawabs handled other affairs. In 1793 the company abolished Nizamat completely and annexed Bengal. Weakened Shah Alam II agreed to consult with the company who advised him never to trust the Marathas. In 1771 Mahadaji Shinde returned to northern India and captured Delhi. Shah Alam II left Allahabad in May 1771 and reached Delhi in January 1772 under the protection of Mahadaji Shinde. Along with the Marathas they won crown lands of Rohilkhand defeating Zabita Khan and capturing Pathargarh fort with its treasure. The emperor returned to the throne in Delhi in 1772 under Mahadaji Shinde's protection.
One of Shah Alam II's first acts was strengthening a new Mughal Army under command of Mirza Najaf Khan. This army utilized Flintlocks and Talwars in combat formations using elephants for transportation. They were less dependent on artillery and cavalry. Mirza Najaf Khan introduced more effective Firelock muskets through collaboration with Mir Qasim, Nawab of Bengal. After defeats at Muzaffargarh and Ghanaur, Majad-ud-Daula was arrested by Shah Alam II's orders. He recalled Mirza Najaf Khan who had given the empire breathing space with a powerful well managed army. In 1779 the reformed army decisively defeated Zabita Khan losing over 5,000 men including their leader. Upon the general's death, Shah Alam's bad judgement prevailed. His nephew Mirza Shafi was not appointed commander in chief. Instead worthless individuals whose loyalty was questionable took charge. Even corrupt former Grand Vizier Majad-ud-Daula was restored reducing the army from over 20,000 to only 5,000 troops bringing the emperor to mercy of his enemies.
Ghulam Qadir, grandson of Najib Khan, forced Shah Alam II to appoint him as Grand Vizier. Ghulam Qadir ravaged palaces searching for treasure believed worth Rs. 250 million. Unable to locate such sum he blinded Shah Alam II with an Afghani knife on the 10th of August 1788. Three servants and two water carriers helping the bleeding emperor were beheaded. According to one account Ghulam Qadir pulled the beard of the elderly Mughal Emperor. After ten weeks during which Ghulam Qadir stripped princesses naked forcing them to dance before him they jumped into Yamuna river to drown. The honor of royal family reached lowest ebb. Mahadaji Shinde intervened killing Ghulam Qadir taking possession of Delhi on the 2nd of October 1788. He restored Shah Alam II to throne acting as protector sending ears and eyes of Ghulam Qadir to the blind emperor.
After Battle of Delhi in 1803 British troops entered Delhi ending Maratha rule on the 14th of September 1803. They brought Shah Alam then a blind old man seated under tattered canopy under British protection. The Mughal Emperor no longer had military power but commanded respect as dignified member of House of Timur. Nawabs still sought formal sanction from him upon accession valuing titles bestowed by him. Coins struck and khutba read in his name. In 1804 Yashwantrao Holkar tried snatching Delhi from British in Siege of Delhi but failed. Shah Alam II died of natural causes on the 19th of November 1806. His grave lies in marble enclosure adjoined to Moti Masjid next to dargah of Sufi saint Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki in Mehrauli, Delhi. Tombs of Bahadur Shah I and Akbar Shah II also stand within same enclosure.
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Common questions
When was Shah Alam II born and where did he enter the world?
Ali Gauhar, later known as Shah Alam II, entered the world on the 25th of June 1728 within the Salatin quarters of the Red Fort. He grew up in semi-captivity alongside his father, Shahzada Aziz-ud-Din.
What happened to Shah Alam II during the Battle of Buxar fought on the 22nd of October 1764?
The Battle of Buxar resulted in a decisive victory for the British East India Company against the combined armies of Mir Qasim, Shuja-ud-Daula, and Shah Alam II. Following this defeat, Shah Alam II signed the Treaty of Allahabad in 1765 which granted the Diwani rights over Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha to the company.
How did Ghulam Qadir blind Shah Alam II and when did this event occur?
Ghulam Qadir blinded Shah Alam II with an Afghani knife on the 10th of August 1788 after forcing him to appoint the grandson of Najib Khan as Grand Vizier. Three servants and two water carriers helping the bleeding emperor were beheaded following the attack.
When was Shah Alam II restored to the throne by Mahadaji Shinde after being blinded?
Mahadaji Shinde intervened and killed Ghulam Qadir taking possession of Delhi on the 2nd of October 1788. He subsequently restored Shah Alam II to the throne acting as protector while sending ears and eyes of Ghulam Qadir to the blind emperor.
Where is the grave of Shah Alam II located and what other tombs are nearby?
Shah Alam II died of natural causes on the 19th of November 1806 and his grave lies in a marble enclosure adjoined to Moti Masjid next to the dargah of Sufi saint Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki in Mehrauli, Delhi. Tombs of Bahadur Shah I and Akbar Shah II also stand within the same enclosure.