Bahadur Shah Zafar
| Bahadur Shah Zafar | |
|---|---|
| |
| Portrait of Bahadur Shah Zafar | |
| Born | 24 October 1775 |
| Birthplace | Delhi, Mughal Empire |
| Died | 07 November 1862 (aged 87) |
| Place of death | Rangoon, British Burma (now Yangon, Myanmar) |
| Resting place | Zafar Shah Dargah, Yangon |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Emperor, Poet |
| Years active | 1837–1857 (as emperor) |
| Known for | Last Mughal Emperor, Leader of the Indian Rebellion of 1857 |
| Notable works | Urdu poetry collections, symbolic role in 1857 revolt |
| Awards | Regarded posthumously as a symbol of resistance |
| Spouse(s) | Zeenat Mahal and others |
| Children | Mirza Mughal, Mirza Khizr Sultan, others |
| Parents | Akbar Shah II (father), Lal Bai (mother) |
| Religion | Islam |
| Website | N/A |
Bahadur Shah Zafar (24 October 1775 – 7 November 1862) was the last Mughal Emperor of India. He ruled from 1837 to 1857, largely as a symbolic monarch, while real power had shifted to the British East India Company. He is best remembered for his role as the nominal leader of the Indian Rebellion of 1857 and for his contributions to Urdu poetry.
Early Life
Born in Delhi as the son of Emperor Akbar Shah II, Zafar was not the first choice for the throne but was eventually crowned due to court politics. He was a patron of arts and poetry and composed many Urdu ghazals under the pen name "Zafar".
Reign and the 1857 Revolt
His reign saw little real power, but he was respected for his spiritual and cultural authority. In 1857, Indian sepoys leading a rebellion against British rule declared him their emperor, making him the symbolic head of the revolt.[1]
Exile and Death
After the defeat of the 1857 rebellion, Zafar was captured by the British, tried, and exiled to Rangoon, Burma (now Yangon, Myanmar). He died there in 1862, far from his beloved Delhi.[2]
Legacy
Zafar’s life represents the end of the Mughal dynasty and a significant chapter in India’s colonial history. His poetry continues to be celebrated, and his tomb in Yangon is a pilgrimage site for many.