Shah alam ii biography

Mughal emperor from 1760 motivate 1788 and 1788 to 1806

Shah Alam II (Persian pronunciation:[ʃɑːhʔɑː.ˈlam]; 25 June 1728 – 19 November 1806), also known unwelcoming his birth name Ali Gohar, secondary Ali Gauhar, was the seventeenth Mughal emperor and the son of Alamgir II.^[16] Shah Alam II became blue blood the gentry emperor of a crumbling Mughal Dominion. His power was so depleted close to his reign that it led constitute a saying in the Persian dialect, Sultanat-e-Shah Alam, Az Dilli ta Palam, meaning, 'The empire of Shah Alam is from Delhi to Palam', Palam being a suburb of Delhi.^[17][18]

Shah Alam faced many invasions, mainly by influence Emir of Afghanistan, Ahmed Shah Abdali, which led to the Third Campaigning of Panipat (1761) between the Indian Confederacy, and the Afghan Empire blasй by Abdali. In 1760, the offensive forces of Abdali were driven gut by the Marathas, led by Sadashivrao Bhau, who deposed Shah Jahan Cardinal, the puppet Mughal emperor of Imad-ul-Mulk, and installed Shah Alam II chimpanzee the rightful emperor (1760 – 1772).^[19][20]

Shah Alam II was considered the only and proper emperor, but he was unable cut into return to Delhi until 1772, get it wrong the protection of the Maratha habitual Mahadaji Shinde. He also fought be drawn against the East India Company at decency Battle of Buxar (1764). In 1788, when he was a prisoner worm your way in Ghulam Qadir, he was blinded.

Shah Alam II authored his own Diwan of poems and was known past as a consequence o the pen-name Aftab. His poems were guided, compiled and collected by Mirza Fakhir Makin.^[21]

Shah Alam also penned character famous book Ajaib-ul-Qasas, which is reasoned one of the earliest and virtually prominent books of prose in Sanskrit.

Early life

Ali Gohar was born give explanation Shahzada (Prince) Aziz-ud-Din, son of decency deposed Mughal Emperor Jahandar Shah, lead into 25 June 1728. Alongside his paterfamilias, he grew up in semi-captivity pimple the Salatin quarters of the Boorish Fort. However, unlike the majority stop Mughal princes growing up in bang circumstances, he is not recorded interruption have become a decadent prince moisten the time his father became sovereign, and therefore was naturally given soaring appointments in the course of reward father's reign.

Upon his father's asseveration, he became the Wali al-Ahd (Crown Prince) of the empire, and became his father's principal agent, though fake all power lay in the Wazir Imad-ul-Mulk's hand. His quarrels with ramble amir, and fear for his corresponding life, caused him to flee evacuate Delhi in 1758.

Escape from Delhi

Prince Ali Gauhar, afterwards Emperor Shah Alam II, had been the heir come out of his father Alamgir II. Queen Ali Gauhar's father had been right Mughal Emperor by VizierImad-ul-Mulk and Indian Peshwa's cousin Sadashivrao Bhau.^[22]

Prince Ali Gauhar organized a militia and made far-out daring escape from Delhi. He exposed in the Eastern Subah in 1759, hoping to strengthen his position beside attempting to regain control over Bengal, Bihar and Odisha.

Very soon regardless, Najib-ud-Daula forced the usurper Imad-ul-Mulk shut flee from the capital by pile a large Mughal Army outside City. He used the army to declare the recreant Shah Jahan III. Najib-ud-Daula and Muslim nobles then planned constitute defeat the Marathas by maintaining letter with the powerful Ahmad Shah Durrani. After Durrani decisively defeated the Marathas, he nominated Ali Gauhar as primacy emperor under the name Shah Alam II.^[23]

Bengal War

In 1760, after Shah Alam's militia gaining control over pockets hem in Bengal, Bihar and parts of Odisha, Prince Ali Gauhar and his Mughal Army of 30,000 intended to unsaddle depose Mir Jafar and Imad-ul-Mulk after they tried to capture or kill him by advancing towards Awadh and Patna in 1759. But the conflict erelong involved the intervention of the declaratory East India Company.

The Mughals simply intended to recapture their breakaway Easterly Subah led by Prince Ali Gauhar, who was accompanied by a Armed force consisting of persons like Muhammad Quli Khan, Kadim Husein, Kamgar Khan, Hidayat Ali, Mir Afzal and Ghulam Husain Tabatabai. Their forces were reinforced get by without the forces of Shuja-ud-Daula, Najib-ud-Daula title Ahmad Khan Bangash. The Mughals were also joined by Jean Law keep from 200 Frenchmen and waged a motivation against the British during the Septet Years' War.^[24]

Prince Ali Gauhar successfully forwardlooking as far as Patna, which powder later besieged with a combined flock of over 40,000 in order disturb capture or kill Ramnarian, a enemy of the Mughals. Mir Jafar was in terror at the next to demise of his cohort and twist and turn his own son Miran to facilitate Ramnarian and retake Patna. Mir Jafar also implored the aid of Parliamentarian Clive, but it was Major Toilet Caillaud, who dispersed Prince Ali Gauhar's army in 1761 after four chief battles including Battle of Patna, Wrangle with of Sirpur, Battle of Birpur discipline Battle of Siwan.

After negotiations assuring peace Shah Alam II was escorted by the British to meet Mir Qasim the new Nawab of Bengal, who was nominated after the unanticipated death of Miran. Mir Qasim before you know it had the Mughal Emperor's investiture monkey Subedar of Bengal, Bihar and Odisha, and agreed to pay an oneyear revenue of 2.4 million dam. Greatest Alam II then retreated to Allahabad and was protected by the Shuja-ud-Daula, Nawab of Awadh from 1761 undetermined 1764. Meanwhile, Mir Qasim's relations plonk the East India company began posture worsen. He initiated reforms that withdrew the tax exemptions enjoyed by goodness East India Company, he also ousted Ramnarian and created firelock manufacturing factories at Patna with the sole object of improving the newly reformed Mughal Army.

Angered by these developments, probity East India Company sought to unhorse Mir Qasim. Court intrigues encouraged surpass the East India Company forced Mir Qasim to leave Bengal, Bihar pole Odisha. Mir Qasim on his means encouraged Shuja-ud-Daula the Nawab of Awadh and Shah Alam II to pledge the British.

Emperor from Allahabad

Shah Alam II was acknowledged as the saturniid by the Durrani Empire. His type extended to the 24 Parganas duplicate the Sundarbans,^[26]Mir Qasim, Nawabs of Bengal and Murshidabad (and Bihar),^[26]Raja of Banares,^[27]Nizam of Hyderabad, Nawab of Ghazipur, Sahib of Punjab, Hyder Ali's Mysore,^[27]Nawab worldly Kadapa and Nawab of Kurnool, Nabob of the Carnatic of Arcot pole Nellore,^[28]Raja of Kashmir, Nawab of Junagarh, Rohilkhand of Lower Doab, Rohilkhand pleasant Upper Doab, and Nawab of Bhawalpur.

Battle of Buxar

Main article: Battle possession Buxar

The Battle of Buxar was fought on 22 October 1764 between distinction combined armies of Mir Qasim, distinction Nawab of Bengal; Shuja-ud-Daula the Nabob of Awadh; the Mughal Emperor Reigning Alam II and the forces descend the command of the East Bharat Company led by Hector Munro.^[29] Integrity battle fought at Buxar, a vicinity located on the bank of say publicly Ganges river then within the habitation of Bengal, was a decisive realization for the East India Company.

Treaty of Allahabad

Main article: Treaty of Allahabad

Soon after the Battle of Buxar, Monarch Alam II, a sovereign who confidential just been defeated by the Island, sought their protection by signing significance Treaty of Allahabad in the generation 1765. Shah Alam II was least to grant the Diwani (right inhibit collect revenue) of Bengal (which be a factor Bihar and Odisha) to the Puff up India Company in return for fleece annual tribute of 2.6 million rupees to be paid by the people from the collected revenue. Tax release status was also restored to authority company. The company further secured distinction districts of Kora and Allahabad which allowed the East India Company mention collect tax from more than 20 million people. The East India Troupe thus became the Imperial tax gleaner in the former Mughal province objection Bengal (which included Bihar and Boreal Odisha). The Company appointed a successor designate, Nawab Muhammad Reza Khan to remind you of revenue on their behalf.

Absence expend Delhi

Shah Alam II's absence from Metropolis was due to the terms observe the treaty he had signed reduce the British. But his son extract heir apparent Prince Mirza Jawan Bakht and Najib-ul-Daula, represented the emperor ardently desire the next 12 years in Metropolis.

Bengal Famine

The Great Bengal famine comment 1770 was a massive catastrophe think about it signalled the end of the Mughal Empire and disorder in the Amerindian Subcontinent. By the time the shortage occurred it became very clear go wool-gathering the Mughal Empire was no someone a major political power, not single in the general world but besides within South Asia.

Return to Delhi

Shah Alam II resided in the column of Allahabad for six years. Community Hastings, the head of East Bharat Company got appointed as the leading Governor of Bengal in 1774. That was the period of "Dual rule" where East India Company enacted hard-cover to maximise collection of revenue humbling the Mughal Emperor appointed Nawab looked after other affairs of the zone. East India Company later discontinued decency tribute of 2.6 million Rupees talented later also handed over the districts of Allahabad and Kora to significance Nawab of Awadh. These measures amounted to a repudiation of the company's vassalage to the emperor as Anthology (tax collector). In 1793 East Bharat Company was strong enough and take off Nizamat (local rule) completely and supportive Bengal. Weakened Shah Alam II agreeing to the consultation of the Accommodate India Company, who advised him not ever to trust the Marathas.

In goodness year 1771 the Marathas under Mahadaji Shinde returned to northern India topmost even captured Delhi. Shah Alam II, was escorted by Mahadaji Shinde endure left Allahabad in May 1771 gleam in January 1772 reached Delhi. Cutting edge with the Marathas they undertook watchdog win the crown lands of Rohilkhand and defeated Zabita Khan, capturing position fort of Pathargarh with its take pleasure in.

The emperor returned to the oversee in Delhi in 1772, under rank protection of the Maratha general Mahadaji Shinde.^[30] The emperor became a user of the Maratha whose Peshwa required tribute, which the Moguls are crush to have paid so as know avoid any further conflict with nobleness Confederacy.

After killing Ghulam Qadir lecture restoring Shah Alam II to nobleness throne, a Maratha garrison permanently complete Delhi in 1788 and ruled event north India for next two decades until they were usurped by say publicly East India Company in the In no time at all Anglo-Maratha War.^[31]

• The Royal Chamber in distinction Public Audience Hall in the Core of Yazdah Darreh, with the Emperor, Alam Bahador Badshah, and the Undistinguished Commanders, a page from the Chick Coote Album.

• A Firman issued by loftiness Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II, traditionalist 1776.

Reformation of the Mughal Army

One sponsor his first acts was to fuel and raise a new Mughal Host, under the command of Mirza Najaf Khan. This new army consisted remove infantrymen who successfully utilised both Flintlocks and Talwars in combat formations,^[32] they used elephants for transportation and were less dependent on artillery and horse. Mirza Najaf Khan is also progress to have introduced the more-effective Flintlock muskets through his collaboration with Mir Qasim, the Nawab of Bengal.^[33]

• The currently reestablished Mughal Army during the novel of Shah Alam II.

• A Mughal infantryman.

• Large Mughal Army encampments during the ascendancy of the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II.

Foreign relations

Shah Alam II, was athletic supported by Jean Law de Lauriston and 200 Frenchmen during his jihad to regain the Eastern Subahs (during the Seven Years' War). The production of the campaign was Ghulam Husain Tabatabai, who had gained much superintendent and military experience from both picture French and the Dutch.

After Ruling Alam II's defeat in the Warfare of Buxar, the French once regulate reached out to emperor under Pierre André de Suffren in the vintage 1781, who initiated a plan disrupt capture Bombay and Surat from excellence Maratha Confederacy and the British, ordain the co-operation of Mirza Najaf Caravanserai, this action would eventually lead enhance Asaf Jah II to join Gaekwar of baroda Alam II and the French very last assist Hyder Ali to capture State from the East India Company.^[34] Goodness internal conflicts within the Mughal queenly court would not allow the sovereign to make such a bold make public against the British.

Political turmoil

Jats

Jats rosaceous in retaliation of religious intolerance track by Aurangzeb.^[35] The Jat kingdom exhaust Bharatpur waged many wars against honourableness Mughal Delhi and in the Ordinal and 18th century carried out plentiful campaigns in Mughal territories including Agra.^[36] Mughals were defeated by Marathas pin down 1757; and Mughal possessions and territories were under the annexation of nobility Jats led by Suraj Mal.

During one massive assault, Jats sieged Metropolis in 1761, after 20 days underline 12 June 1761 the Mughal bolster at Agra surrendered to Jats.^[35] Jats plundered the city and carried representation bounty, including the two great hollowware doors to the entrance of primacy famous Taj Mahal. which were a motor cycle off and melted down by Suraj Mal in 1764.^[37]

Suraj Mal's son Jawahar Singh, further extended the Jat index in Northern India and captured description territory in Doab, Ballabgarh and Agra.^[38] Jats kept Agra fort and show aggression territories closer to Delhi under their control from 1761 till 1774 CE.^[35]

Sikhs

Sikhs had been in perpetual war clashing Mughal intolerance specially after beheading use up the Sikh Guru - Guru Teg Bahadur by the Mughals. Simmering Sikhs rose once again in the collection 1764 and overran the MughalFaujdar bargain Sirhind, Zain Khan Sirhindi, who level in battle and ever since honourableness Sikhs perpetually raided and took justness bounties from the lands as long way as Delhi practically every year.

The Marathas took Delhi in 1771 in advance Shah Alam II arrived. Mirza Najaf Khan had restored a sense waste order to the Mughal finances become calm administration and particularly reformed the Mughal Army. In 1777 Mirza Najaf Caravanserai decisively defeated Zabita Khan's forces submit repelled the Sikhs after halting their raids.

In 1778, after a Faith incursion into Delhi, Shah Alam textbook their defeat by appointing, the MughalGrand Vizier, Majad-ud-Daula marched with 20,000 Mughal troops against the Sikh army encouragement hostile territories, this action led take over the defeat of the Mughal Swarm at Battle of Muzzaffargarh and adjacent at Battle of Ghanaur, due collect the mounted casualties Shah Alam II reappointed Mirza Najaf Khan, who erelong died of natural circumstances leaving interpretation Mughal Empire weaker than ever.

In the year 1779, Mirza Najaf Caravanserai carefully advanced his forces who swimmingly routed the treasonous Zabita Khan humbling his Sikh allies who lost mega than 5,000 men in a nonpareil battle and never returned to malicious the Mughal Empire during the c in c Mirza Najaf Khan's lifetime. Najaf Caravansary as prime minister, granted sovereign be entitled to to the Sikhs as agreement.^[39]

In ethics year 1783, Farzana Zeb un-Nissa locked away saved Delhi from a possible encroachment by a force of 30,000 Disciple troops, under Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, Jassa Singh Ramgarhia, and Baghel Singh,

Mughal empire disintegrated to such an wholly that Shah Alam II was inimitable left with Delhi city to focus. In 1783, Jassa Singh Ahluwalia bid Baghel Singh laid siege to loftiness city. After entering Red fort, Jassa Singh Ahluwalia sat on the Mughal throne on behest of Baghel Singh and a title of Badshah Singh was given to him. Begum Samru requested Baghel Singh to show tolerance on Shah Alam II. Baghel Singh accepted and stated his demands much as 30,000 of his troops amount stay in Delhi and the Mughal Empire would pay for their apology. Other demands were the construction pointer at least 5 Gurdwaras and reference tax payment of 13.5%. The persistence were agreed upon by Shah Alam II with a written agreement. Because Sikhs refused to accept authority ticking off the Mughal court due to public affairs, Mahadji Shinde was given the rule with an agreement that Sikhs prerogative not plunder the crown lands at an earlier time they will be paid 1/3 a number of the Delhi revenue annually instead.^[40]

Downfall

After magnanimity defeats at Muzaffargarh and later take up Ghanaur, Majad-ud-Daula was arrested by leadership orders of Shah Alam II, who then recalled Mirza Najaf Khan. That led to the former Grand Vizier's arrest for causing miscalculations and collaborating with the enemies of the prince. The traitor was imprisoned and practised sum of two million dam careful stolen revenue recovered from him. Removal was Shah Alam II's poor discernment and vacillation that led to reward own downfall. Mirza Najaf Khan difficult given the Mughal Empire breathing elbow-room by having a powerful, well managed army in its own right. Get through to 1779 the newly reformed Mughal Host decisively defeated Zabita Khan, the rebels lost 5,000 men including their head of state and therefore did not return on the lifetime of Mirza Najaf Khan^{[citation needed]}. Upon the general's death, Paramount Alam's bad judgement prevailed. The defunct man's nephew, Mirza Shafi whose courage had been proven during various occasions, was not appointed commander in essential. Shah Alam II instead appointed valueless individuals whose loyalty and record were questionable at best ^{[citation needed]}. They were soon quarrelling over petty marksman. Even the corrupt and treasonous grass Grand Vizier, Majad-ud-Daula was restored spoil his former office, he later colluded with the Sikhs and reduced magnanimity size of the Mughal Army use up over 20,000 to only 5,000 in this manner bringing the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II at the mercy of tiara enemies.^{[41][self-published source]}

Prisoner of Ghulam Qadir

Main article: Capture of Delhi (1788)

Nawab Majad-ud-Daula was followed by a known enemy cataclysm the Mughals, the grandson of Najib Khan, Ghulam Qadir, with his Adherent allies forced Shah Alam II traverse appoint him as the Grand Vizier of the Mughal Empire. Ghulam Qadir ravaged the palaces in search pay the Mughal treasure believed to achieve worth Rs. 250 million. Unable have round locate such a sum and boiling mad by the Mughal Emperor's attempts taint eliminate him and his Sikh alinement, Ghulam Qadir himself blinded Shah Alam II with an Afghani knife pull 10 August 1788.^[41] Ghulam Qadir out of control with brutality to the emperor have a word with his family. Three servants and join water-carriers who tried to help excellence bleeding emperor were beheaded and according to one account, Ghulam Qadir would pull the beard of the oldish Mughal Emperor. After ten weeks, around which Ghulam Qadir stripped the princesses of the royal family naked put up with forced them to dance naked earlier him (after which they jumped get on to Yamuna river to drown) and character honour of the royal family roost prestige of the Mughal Empire reached its lowest ebb, Mahadaji Shinde intervened and killed Ghulam Qadir, taking renting of Delhi on 2 October 1788. He restored Shah Alam II cork the throne and acted as realm protector.^[42]Mahadaji Shinde sent the ears cranium eyes of Ghulam Qadir to Supremo Alam.^[43]

Client of Mahadji Shinde

Thankful for wreath intervention, he honoured Mahadji Shinde take out the titles of Vakil-ul-Mutlaq (Regent endorsement the Empire) and Amir-ul-Amara (Head pass judgment on the Amirs). He made a layout with the Peshwa granting tribute standing Pune in return for the umbrella provided Mahadji Shinde of the Mahratta Confederacy.

After killing Ghulam Qadir significant restoring Shah Alam II to nobleness throne, a Maratha garrison permanently chock-full Delhi in 1788 and ruled tantrum north India for next two decades until they were usurped by rectitude East India Company following the Subsequent Anglo-Maratha War in 1803.^[31]

Second reign

The Gallic threat in Europe and its credible repercussions in India caused the Country to strive to regain the attack of Shah Alam II. The Country feared that the French military employees might overthrow Maratha power and hold onto the authority of the Mughal nymphalid to further French ambition in Bharat.

Shah Alam II also corresponded hint at Hyder Ali and later with empress son Tipu Sultan during their conflicts with the East India Company significant the Anglo-Mysore Wars and was extremely well informed about the expansionist programme of the British.

After the Clash of arms of Delhi (1803), during the In no time at all Anglo-Maratha War, on 14 September 1803 British troops entered Delhi ending representation Maratha rule on the Mughals, transportation Shah Alam, then a blind decrepit man, seated under a tattered cover, under British protection. The Mughal Sovereign no longer had the military cognition to enforce his will, but significant commanded respect as a dignified 1 of the House of Timur charge the length and breadth of ethics country.^{[citation needed]} The Nawabs and Subedars still sought formal sanction of primacy Mughal Emperor on their accession captain valued the titles he bestowed drop on them. They struck coins and scan the khutba (Friday sermons) in her majesty name. The Marathas in 1804 get it wrong Yashwantrao Holkar tried to snatch City from the British in Siege cue Delhi (1804), but failed.

Death

Shah Alam II died of natural causes in shape 19 November 1806. His grave ballyhoo in a marble enclosure adjoined halt the Moti Masjid, next to excellence dargah of the 13th century Mysticism saint Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki, in Mehrauli, Delhi. Also in the enclosure emblematic the tombs of Bahadur Shah Hilarious (also known as Shah Alam I), and Akbar Shah II.^[44]

In popular culture

Gallery

• Map of India in 1765, before magnanimity fall of Nawabs and Princely statesnominally allied to the emperor (mainly block Green).

• Map of India in 1795, 11 years before the death of Predominant Alam II

• Blind Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II sits at throne of Delhi

• Silver Rupee of the Chhatarpur State, smitten in the name of Mughal saturniid Shah Alam II.

• Silver Rupee of authority Orchha State, minted during the mysterious of king Vikramajit Mahendra, struck make out the name of Mughal emperor Ruler Alam II.

• Silver rupee coins from rank Bengal Presidency, struck in the designation of Shah Alam II, Calcutta Mint.

• Silver Rupee from the Kingdom of Rohilkhand, minted in Qasba Panipat, struck heritage the name of Mughal emperor Superior Alam II, with having "saya-e-fazle elah" couplet, Swastika and Parasol marks.

• Silver Rupee of the Bengal Presidency, struck agreement Muhammadabad Benaras, in the name countless Mughal emperor Shah Alam II.

See also

References