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{{refimprove|date=June 2017}}
{{short description|Ninth Mughal Emperor}}
{{short description|Ninth Mughal Emperor}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2016}}{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2012}}
{{Infobox royalty
{{Infobox royalty
| name = Jahandar Shah <br> جهاندار شاه
| name         = Jahandar Shah<br>{{nq|جہاندار شاہ}}
| title =
| title       = [[Padishah]] <br> [[Imperial and royal titles of the Mughal emperors|Al-Sultan Al-Azam]]
| image = Jahandar Shah, Mughal Emperor..jpg
| image       = Jahandar Shah, Mughal Emperor..jpg
| succession = 9th [[Mughal emperors|Mughal Emperor]]
| caption      = Portrait of Jahandar Shah, c. 1712, [[Victoria and Albert Museum]]
| reign = 27 February 1712 – 11 February 1713
| succession   = 9th [[Mughal Emperor]]
| coronation = 29 March 1712 at [[Lahore]]
| reign       = 29 March 1712 – 11 February 1713<ref>{{cite book|work=The Mughal Empire|editor-first1=John F|editor-last1=Richards|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=1993|title=''Jahandar Shah''|page=261|url=https://archive.org/details/iB_in/1-3/page/n276/mode/1up&view=theater}}</ref>
| predecessor= [[Bahadur Shah I]]
| coronation  = 29 March 1712 at [[Lahore]]
| successor = [[Farrukhsiyar]]
| predecessor  = [[Bahadur Shah I|Shah Alam I]]
| spouses = Sayyid-un-Nissa Begum<br/>[[Lal Kunwar]]<br/>Anup Bai<br/>
| successor    = [[Farrukhsiyar|Farrukh Siyar]]
| issue = Izz-ud-Din Mirza<br/>[[Azz-ud-din Mirza]]<br/>[[Alamgir II]]<br/>Iffat Ara Begum<br/>Rabi Begum
| birth_date   = {{birth date|df=yes|1661|05|10}}{{sfn|Irvine|1921|loc=''Jahandar Shah'' page. [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.513975/page/240/mode/1up?view=theater 240]}}
| full name = Mirza Mu'izz-ud-Din Muhammad Jahandar Shah Bahadur
| birth_place = [[Deccan Plateau|Deccan]], [[Mughal Empire]]
| dynasty = [[Mughal dynasty|Mughal]]
| death_date   = {{death date and age|df=yes|1713|02|11|1661|05|10}}
| father =[[Bahadur Shah I]]
| death_place = [[Delhi]], [[Mughal Empire]]
| mother = [[Nizam Bai]]
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1661|05|09}}
| birth_place =[[Deccan Plateau|Deccan]], [[Mughal Empire]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|1713|02|12|1661|05|09}}
| death_place = [[Delhi]], [[Mughal Empire]]
| place of burial = [[Humayun's Tomb]]
| place of burial = [[Humayun's Tomb]]
| religion = [[Islam]]
| spouses      = {{ubl|{{marriage|Sayyid-un-Nissa Begum<br/>|1684}}|Anup Bai|[[Lal Kunwar|Imtiyaz Mahal]]}}
|}}
| issue        = {{ubl|Izz-ud-Din Mirza|[[Azz-ud-din Mirza|Azz-ud-Din Mirza]]|[[Alamgir II]]|Azz-ud Daulah|Muiz-ud Daulah|Iffat Ara Begum|Rabi Begum}}
| full name    = Mīrzā Mu'izz-ud-Dīn Muhammad Jahāndār Shāh Bahādur
| posthumous name = Khuld Aramgah ({{lang|fa|{{nq|خلد آرامگاه}}}}, {{literal|Peaceful in paradise'}}){{sfn|Irvine|1921|loc=''Jahandar Shah'' page. [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.513975/page/241/mode/1up?view=theater 241]}}
| house        = [[Mughal dynasty|House of Babur]]
| father      = [[Bahadur Shah I|Shah Alam I]]
| mother      = [[Nizam Bai]]
| religion     = [[Sunni Islam]] {{small|([[Hanafi]])}}
| dynasty      = [[File:Timurid.svg|25px]] [[Timurid dynasty]]|
}}
{{Mughal}}
{{Mughal}}
'''Mirza Mu'izz-ud-Din Beg Muhammad Khan''' ({{Lang-fa|{{nq|میرزا معزالدین بیگ محمد خان}}}} ,10 May 1661 – 11 February 1713),<ref>{{cite book |last=Nigam |first=S. B. P. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1zFuAAAAMAAJ |title=The Jahandarnamah of Nur- ud-rin |publisher=Department of Modern Indian History |year=1983 |series=Journal of Indian History |volume=61 |page=95}}</ref><ref>{{citation |last=Montgomery-Massingberd |first=Hugh |title=Burke's Royal Families of the World |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bnsUAQAAIAAJ |volume=II |page=139 |year=1977 |publisher=Burke's Peerage |isbn=978-0-85011-029-6 |author-link=Hugh Massingberd}}</ref> more commonly known by his title '''Jahandar Shah''' ({{Lang-fa|{{nq|جهاندار شاه}}}}, [[Literal translation|lit.]] ' The owner of the World' {{IPA-fa|d͡ʒa'hɑːndɑːr ʃɑːh}}), was the ninth [[Mughal Emperor]] who ruled briefly in the period 1712–1713. He was the son of emperor [[Bahadur Shah I]], and the grandson of emperor [[Aurangzeb]].


'''Mirza Muhammad Mu'izz-ud-Din''' ({{lang-fa|{{Nastaliq|میرزا معزلدین  محمد }}}} ;9 May 1661 – 12 February 1713),<ref>{{cite book|last=Nigam|first=S. B. P.|title=The Jahandarnamah of Nur- ud-rin|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1zFuAAAAMAAJ|series=Journal of Indian History|volume=61|year=1983|publisher=Department of Modern Indian History|page=95}}</ref><ref>{{citation|last=Montgomery-Massingberd|first=Hugh|author-link=Hugh Massingberd|title=Burke's Royal Families of the World|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bnsUAQAAIAAJ|volume=II|year=1977|publisher=Burke's Peerage|isbn=978-0-85011-029-6|page=139}}</ref> more commonly known as '''Jahandar Shah''' ({{lang-fa|{{Nastaliq|جهاندار شاه}}}}), was a [[Mughal Emperor]] who ruled for a brief period in 1712–1713. His full title was ''Shahanshah-i-Ghazi Abu'l Fath Mu'izz-ud-Din Muhammad Jahandar Shah Sahib-i-Qiran Padshah-i-Jahan (Khuld Aramgah)''.{{citation needed|date=June 2017}}
Jahandar Shah was the first [[puppet ruler]] of the Mughal dynasty, having been placed on the throne by powerful noble [[Zulfiqar Khan Nusrat Jung|Zulfiqar Khan]]. His reign was short and turbulent, lasting less than a year. He was deposed by the [[Sayyid brothers]] and succeeded by his nephew [[Farrukhsiyar]].


==Early life==
==Early life==
Prince Jahandar Shah was born in Deccan Subah to the later Emperor [[Bahadur Shah I]]. His mother was [[Nizam Bai]], the daughter of Fatehyawar Jang, a noble from [[Hyderabad]].<ref>Muni Lal, ''Mini Mughals'' (1989) p. 28</ref>
Prince Mu'izz-ud-din was born on 10 May 1661 in Deccan Subah{{Citation needed|date=July 2023|reason=Which specific subah was he born in?}} to Prince [[Bahadur Shah I|Mu'azzam]]. His mother [[Nizam Bai]], the daughter of Fatehyawar Jang, was a noble from [[Hyderabad]].<ref>Muni Lal, ''Mini Mughals'' (1989) p. 28</ref> He was Muazzam's eldest son,{{Sfn|Faruqui|2012|p=287}} and eldest grandson of reigning emperor Aurangzeb. Following Mughal tradition, his birth was grandly celebrated by the Mughal court.{{Sfn|Faruqui|2012|p=70}}


Jahandar Shah was appointed as Vizier of [[Balkh]] in 1671 by his grandfather, [[Aurangzeb]]. When their father died on 27 February 1712, he and his brother, [[Azim-ush-Shan]], both declared themselves emperor and battled for succession. [[Azim-ush-Shan|Azim-us-Shan]] was killed on 17 March 1712, after which Jahandar Shah ruled for an additional eleven months. Before ascending the throne, Jahandar Shah sailed around the [[Indian Ocean]] and was a very prosperous trader. He was also appointed [[Subedar]] of [[Sindh]]. He fathered three sons, including [[Alamgir II|Aziz-ud-Din]], who reigned as [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] emperor between 1754 and 1759.
During Aurangzeb's reign, he participated in military campaigning in the [[Deccan]] for three years, after which he was permanently shifted to northern India.{{Sfn|Faruqui|2012|p=299}}
 
After Aurangzeb's death, Prince Mu'azzam won the ensuing [[Mughal war of succession (1707–1709)|succession struggle]] and in June 1707, ascended the throne as Bahadur Shah.{{Sfn|Faruqui|2012|p=311}} Upon his father's accession, Mu'izz-ud-din was awarded the title Jahandar Shah, and made governor of [[Thatta Subah|Thatta]] and [[Subah of Multan|Multan]].<ref name=":06">{{Cite book |last=Irvine |first=William |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ak5oFjTys8MC |title=Later Mughals |publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Distributors |year=1971 |pages=36}}</ref> Through the course of Bahadur Shah's reign, Jahandar Shah would stay at the imperial court, like the other sons of Bahadur Shah, because the emperor had ascended the throne at an old age, and the princes wanted to be within close reach of the throne in case of his demise.{{Sfn|Faruqui|2012|p=312}}
 
== War of succession ==
A war of succession began as Bahadur Shah lay on his deathbed in 1712. The most powerful prince at the time of his death was his second son [[Azim-us-Shan]], who had amassed significant resources as the [[Subahdar|s''ubahdar'']] of [[Bengal Subah|Bengal]]. Jahandar Shah was the weakest, with little-to-no military power or funds.{{Sfn|Faruqui|2012|p=310 & 315-317}}<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/50175836 |title=A history of modern India, 1480-1950 |date=2002 |publisher=Anthem Press |others=Claude Markovits, Nisha George, Maggy Hendry |isbn=1-84331-004-X |location=London |pages=174-175 |oclc=50175836}}</ref>
 
Unlike previous Mughal wars of succession, the outcome of this war was engineered by a noble, [[Zulfiqar Khan Nusrat Jung|Zulfiqar Khan]], the ''mir bakhshi'' and one of the most powerful figures in the Mughal empire. He built an alliance between Jahandar Shah, and his younger brothers [[Rafi-ush-Shan|Rafi-us-Shan]] and [[Jahan Shah (Mughal prince)|Jahan Shah]], proposing to them that they could divide the empire between them upon victory (with Zulfiqar Khan serving as their common ''mir bakhshi''). Azim-us-Shan was defeated and killed, following which Jahandar Shah broke the alliance and turned on his brothers, defeating them and killing them with the help of Zulfiqar Khan, emerging as the victor of the succession struggle.{{Sfn|Faruqui|2012|p=310 & 315-317}}<ref name=":0" />


==Reign==
==Reign==
[[File:Lal Kunwar, by Indian School of the 18th century.jpg|thumb|right|Lal Kunwar]]
[[File:Lal_Kunwar,_by_Indian_School_of_the_18th_century.jpg|right|thumb|Lal Kunwar]]
[[File:Abd al-Samad Khan received by Jahandar Shah.jpg|thumb|right|[[Mughal Army]] commander [[Abdus Samad Khan Bahadur]] being received by Jahandar Shah]]
[[File:Abd_al-Samad_Khan_received_by_Jahandar_Shah.jpg|right|thumb|[[Mughal Army]] commander [[Abd al-Samad Khan|Abdus Samad Khan Bahadur]] being received by Jahandar Shah]]
Jahandar Shah was crowned on 29 March, 1712.<ref name=":32">{{Cite book |last=Chandra |first=Satish |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/50004530 |title=Parties and politics at the Mughal Court, 1707-1740 |date=2002 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=0-19-565444-7 |edition=4th |location=New Delhi |pages=107 |oclc=50004530}}</ref> His accession was not well-supported in the empire, and he was viewed as an illegitimate ruler. Hence, upon his coronation, Jahandar Shah moved to consolidate his authority by rewarding and promoting his supporters. He departed from previous Mughal succession practices by severely punishing the nobles who had supported his brothers in the succession, with several of them being executed. He also let the bodies of the defeated princes rot in the open for several days before their entombment, unlike previous emperors who had insisted on a proper burial.{{Sfn|Faruqui|2012|p=318}}


Jahandar Shah led a frivolous life, and his court was often enlivened by dancing and entertainment. He chose a favourite wife, [[Imtiaz Mahal|Lal Kunwar]], who was a mere [[Nautch|dancing girl]] before her elevation to the position of Queen Consort. Together they shocked the [[Mughal Empire]] and were even opposed by [[Aurangzeb]]'s surviving daughter, [[Zeenat-un-Nissa]].{{sfn|Sarkar|1947|p=152}}
With Jahandar Shah's accession, Zulfiqar Khan assumed the post of ''wazir''. Due to Jahandar Shah's complete dependence on him, and the circumstances of his accession to the throne, effective power was wielded not by the emperor but by Zulfiqar Khan himself. This was the first occurrence in Mughal history that absolute power over the empire was wielded by an outsider to the dynasty. As the effective ruler during Jahandar Shah's reign, Zulfiqar Khan sought to establish amicable relationships with the [[Rajput|Rajputs]], [[Sikhs]], and [[Marathas]], and bring back peace in the empire. However, the empire's finances were deteriorating, continuing a trend that had begun with Jahandar Shah's predecessors, which decreased the empire's military effectiveness. The excessive power enjoyed by Zulfiqar Khan caused Jahandar Shah to conspire against him, creating political chaos.<ref name=":0" />


His authority was rejected by the third [[Nawab of the Carnatic]], [[Muhammed Saadatullah Khan I]], who killed [[Desingh|De Singh]] of [[Orchha]], primarily due to the [[Nawab]]'s belief that he was the righteous commander of the [[Gingee Fort]]. Khan began a smear campaign referring to Jahandar Shah as an usurper to the [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] throne. To further strengthen his authority, Jahandar Shah sent gifts to the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] [[Sultan]] [[Ahmad III]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uB1uAAAAMAAJ|title=Mughal-Ottoman relations: a study of political & diplomatic relations between Mughal India and the Ottoman Empire, 1556-1748|last=Farooqi|first=Naimur Rahman|date=1989-01-01|publisher=Idarah-i Adabiyat-i Delli|language=en}}</ref>
During his reign, Jahandar Shah married courtesan [[Lal Kunwar]], who was considered to be of lowly origins; she became his favoured wife, and subsequently her family gained unprecedent power and status. Jahandar Shah also indulged in feasts and entertainments. Contemporary chroniclers and later historians have pointed out such aspects of the emperor's personal life, and the cruelty meted to his opponents, as reasons behind the turbulence of his reign. However, recent scholars highlight other factors; Munis Faruqui emphasizes his political weakness as a prince, which set him up for failure as a ruler. Abhishek Kaicker notes that nobles had themselves became more self-interested around the time of Jahandar Shah's accession, and that the "cruelty" of his reign was their defense for siding with [[Farrukhsiyar]], who deposed Jahandar Shah.<ref name=":0" />{{Sfn|Faruqui|2012|p=317}}<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kaicker |first=Abhishek |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1114271590 |title=The king and the people : sovereignty and popular politics in Mughal Delhi |date=2020 |isbn=978-0-19-007070-0 |location=New York, NY |pages=187-189 |oclc=1114271590}}</ref>
 
=== Deposition ===
Jahandar Shah's accession invited the challenge of his nephew Farrukhsiyar, the son of Azim-us-Shan, who was based in Bengal. With little independent resources, he unsuccessfully desperately attempted to find backing for his bid. He eventually found powerful support in the [[Sayyid brothers]], [[Sayyid Hussain Ali Khan Barha|Husain Ali Khan]] and [[Sayyid Hassan Ali Khan Barha|Abdullah Khan]], administrators of Azim-us-Shan who had been removed from their postings by Jahandar Shah.{{Sfn|Faruqui|2012|p=319}}<ref name=":0" /> With their resources and political connections, Farrukhsiyar assembled a rebel army and advanced on the throne. The underpaid imperial army was defeated in battle near [[Agra]] in early 1713.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Eaton |first=Richard Maxwell |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1103492435 |title=India in the Persianate Age, 1000-1765 |date=2019 |isbn=978-0-7139-9582-4 |location=London |pages=341-343 |oclc=1103492435}}</ref>
 
==Death==
Upon defeat, Jahandar Shah fled to [[Delhi]] and sought refuge at the house of Zulfiqar Khan and his father [[Asad Khan (Mughal noble)|Asad Khan]]. However, the two imprisoned him and turned him over to Farrukhsiyar, in hopes of securing his favour. Farrukhsiyar had both Jahandar Shah and Zulfiqar Khan executed, with Jahandar Shah being beaten to death and then beheaded on 11 February, 1713.<ref name=":062">{{Cite book |last=Irvine |first=William |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ak5oFjTys8MC |title=Later Mughals |publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Distributors |year=1971 |pages=236-256}}</ref> Jahandar Shah's body was paraded around Delhi in parts, hanging upside down from two elephants.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Alam |first=Muzaffar |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/847731660 |title=The Crisis of Empire in Mughal North India: Awadh and Punjab, 1707-48 |date=2013 |isbn=978-0-19-908238-4 |edition=Second |location=New Delhi |pages=liii |oclc=847731660}}</ref> He was buried in [[Humayun's tomb]].<ref name=":062" />


==Marriages==
==Marriages==
Jahandar Shah's first wife was the daughter of Mirza Mukarram Khan Safavi. The marriage took place on 13 October 1676.{{sfn|Sarkar|1947|p=93}} After her death he married her niece, Sayyid-un-nissa Begum, the daughter of Mirza Rustam. The marriage took place on 30 August 1684.{{sfn|Irvine|p=242}} Qazi Abu Sa'id united them in the presence of Emperor [[Aurangzeb]], and Prince Muhammad Muazzam (future [[Bahadur Shah I]]).{{sfn|Sarkar|1947|p=151}} The marriage was consummated on 18 September. Sayyid-un-nissa Begum was presented with jewels worth 67,000 rupees. The celebrations were supervised by Princess [[Zeenat-un-Nissa|Zinat-un-nissa Begum]].{{sfn|Sarkar|1947|p=152}}
Jahandar Shah's first wife was the daughter of Mirza Mukarram Khan Safavi. The marriage took place on 13 October 1676.{{sfn|Sarkar|1947|p=93}} After her death he married her niece, Sayyid-un-Nisa Begum, the daughter of Rustam Mirza, on 30 August 1684.{{sfn|Irvine|1921|p=242}} Qazi Abu Sa'id united them in the presence of Emperor Aurangzeb, and Prince Mu'azzam.{{sfn|Sarkar|1947|p=151}} The marriage was consummated on 18 September. Sayyid-un-Nisa Begum was presented with jewels worth 67,000 rupees. The celebrations were supervised by Princess [[Zeenat-un-Nissa|Zinat-un-nissa Begum]].{{sfn|Sarkar|1947|p=152}}


His third wife was Anup Bai. She was the mother of Prince Muhammad Aziz-ud-din Mirza, born on 6 June 1699. She died at Delhi on 17 April 1735,{{sfn|Irvine|p=242}} nineteen years before her son's accession to the throne as Emperor [[Alamgir II]]. His fourth wife was [[Lal Kunwar]], the daughter of Khasusiyat Khan.{{sfn|Irvine|p=180}} Jahandar Shah was very fond of her, and after his accession to the throne, he gave her the title Imtiyaz Mahal.{{sfn|Irvine|p=242}}
His third wife was a Rajput Princess, Anup Bai.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Lal |first=Muni |title=Mini Mughals |pages=67}}</ref> She was the mother of Prince Muhammad Aziz-ud-din Mirza, born on 6 June 1699. She died at Delhi on 17 April 1735,{{sfn|Irvine|1921|p=242}} nineteen years before her son's accession to the throne as Emperor [[Alamgir II]].


==Death==
His fourth wife, [[Lal Kunwar]], was the daughter of Khasusiyat Khan.{{sfn|Irvine|1921|p=180}} Jahandar Shah was very fond of her, and after his accession to the throne, he gave her the title Imtiyaz Mahal. She was influential in his reign and was famous for guiding the emperor.{{sfn|Irvine|1921|p=242}}
[[File:Silver rupee coin of Jahandar Shah.jpg|thumb|Silver coin issued from Shahjahanabad, during the reign of Jahandar Shah.]]


He was defeated in the battle at [[Agra]] on 10 January 1713 by [[Farrukhsiyar]], his nephew and the second son of [[Azim-ush-Shan]], with the support of the [[Syed Brothers|Sayyid Brothers]]. He fled to [[Delhi]] where he was captured and handed over to the new Emperor, who confined him along with Lal Kunwar. He lived in confinement for a month, until 11 February 1713, when professional stranglers were sent to murder him.{{citation needed|date=June 2017}}
== Full Title ==
His full title was ''Shahanshah-i-Ghazi Abu'l Fath Mu'izz-ud-Din Muhammad Jahandar Shah Sahib-i-Qiran Padshah-i-Jahan (Khuld Aramgah)''.


==Coins==
==Coins==
Jahandar Shah reintroduced couplets and issued coins in gold, silver, and copper. Two couplets i.e. Abu al-Fateh and Sahab Qiran were used. Copper coins were issued in both weight standard i.e. 20 grams and 14 grams.{{citation needed|date=June 2017}}
Jahandar Shah reintroduced couplets and issued coins in gold, silver, and copper. Two couplets i.e. Abu al-Fateh and Sahab Qiran were used. Copper coins were issued in both weight standard i.e. 20 grams and 14 grams.{{citation needed|date=June 2017}}<gallery style="text-align:center">
 
<gallery style="text-align:center">
Jahandar Shah, Silver Rupee, Khujista Bunyaad, AH1124 Ry.Ahd, Abu al-Fateh couplet.jpg|Silver Rupee of Abu al-Fateh couplet, Khujista Bunyaad, AH1124 Ry.Ahd
Jahandar Shah, Silver Rupee, Khujista Bunyaad, AH1124 Ry.Ahd, Abu al-Fateh couplet.jpg|Silver Rupee of Abu al-Fateh couplet, Khujista Bunyaad, AH1124 Ry.Ahd
Jahandar Shah, Rupee, Itawa, AH1124 Ry.Ahd, Sahab Qiran couplet.jpg|Silver Rupee of Sahab Qiran couplet, Itawa, AH1124 Ry.Ahd
Jahandar Shah, Rupee, Itawa, AH1124 Ry.Ahd, Sahab Qiran couplet.jpg|Silver Rupee of Sahab Qiran couplet, Itawa, AH1124 Ry.Ahd
Line 63: Line 77:


==Notes==
==Notes==
{{reflist}}
<references group="" responsive="1"></references>


==References==
==References==
* {{cite book|first=Jadunath|last=Sarkar|author-link=Jadunath Sarkar|title=Maasir-i-Alamgiri: A History of Emperor Aurangzib-Alamgir (reign 1658-1707 AD) of Saqi Mustad Khan|publisher=Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal, Calcutta|year=1947}}  
 
* {{cite book|title=The Later Mughals|author-link=William Irvine (historian)|first=William|last=Irvine|ISBN=8175364068|publisher=Low Price Publications}}
* {{cite book |last=Sarkar |first=Jadunath |title=Maasir-i-Alamgiri: A History of Emperor Aurangzib-Alamgir (reign 1658-1707 AD) of Saqi Mustad Khan |publisher=Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal, Calcutta |year=1947 |author-link=Jadunath Sarkar}}
{{Commons category|Jahandar Shah}}
* {{cite book |last=Irvine |first=William |title=The Later Mughals |publisher=Low Price Publications |year=1921 |ISBN=8175364068 |author-link=William Irvine (historian)}}
* {{Citation |last=Faruqui |first=Munis D |title=Princes of the Mughal Empire, 1504-1719 |year=2012 |publication-place=Cambridge |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-1-139-52619-7 |oclc=808366461}}
 


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.zeno.ru/showgallery.php?cat=3294 Coin Gallery]
*[http://www.uq.net.au/~zzhsoszy/ips/misc/mughal.html Mughal dynasty]


* [http://www.zeno.ru/showgallery.php?cat=3294 Coin Gallery]
* [http://www.uq.net.au/~zzhsoszy/ips/misc/mughal.html Mughal dynasty]
{{s-start}}
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{{s-hou|[[Timurid dynasty]]||}}
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{{succession box|title=[[Mughal Emperor]]|before=[[Bahadur Shah I]]|after=[[Farrukhsiyar]]|years=1712–1713}}
{{succession box
{{s-end}}
| title = [[Mughal Emperor]]
 
| years = 1712–1713
{{Authority control}}
| before = [[Bahadur Shah I]]
 
| after = [[Farrukhsiyar]]
{{Mughal Empire}}
}}
 
{{s-end}}{{Authority control}}{{Mughal Empire}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Jahandar Shah}}
[[Category:Mughal emperors]]
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[[Category:Murdered Indian monarchs]]
[[Category:Murdered Indian monarchs]]
[[Category:18th-century murdered monarchs]]
[[Category:18th-century murdered monarchs]]
[[Category:1713 murders in Asia]]
[[Category:18th-century murders in India]]

Revision as of 08:45, 22 July 2023


Jahandar Shah
جہاندار شاہ
Padishah
Al-Sultan Al-Azam
Portrait of Jahandar Shah, c. 1712, Victoria and Albert Museum
9th Mughal Emperor
Reign29 March 1712 – 11 February 1713[1]
Coronation29 March 1712 at Lahore
PredecessorShah Alam I
SuccessorFarrukh Siyar
Born(1661-05-10)10 May 1661[2]
Deccan, Mughal Empire
Died11 February 1713(1713-02-11) (aged 51)
Delhi, Mughal Empire
Burial
Humayun's Tomb
Spouses
Issue
Names
Mīrzā Mu'izz-ud-Dīn Muhammad Jahāndār Shāh Bahādur
Posthumous name
Khuld Aramgah (خلد آرامگاه, Template:Literal)[3]
HouseHouse of Babur
Dynasty Timurid dynasty
FatherShah Alam I
MotherNizam Bai
ReligionSunni Islam (Hanafi)
Mughal emperors
Babur 1526–1530
Humayun (first reign) 1530–1540
Humayun (second reign) 1555–1556
Akbar 1556–1605
Jahangir 1605–1627
Shahryar Mirza (de facto) 1627–1628
Shah Jahan 1628–1658
Alamgir I (Aurangzeb) 1658–1707
Muhammad Azam Shah 1707
Bahadur Shah I 1707–1712
Jahandar Shah 1712–1713
Farrukhsiyar 1713–1719
Rafi ud-Darajat 1719
Shah Jahan II 1719
Muhammad Shah 1719–1748
Ahmad Shah Bahadur 1748–1754
Alamgir II 1754–1759
Shah Jahan III 1759–1760
Shah Alam II (first reign) 1760–1788
Jahan Shah IV 1788
Shah Alam II (second reign) 1788–1806
Akbar II 1806–1837
Bahadur Shah II 1837–1857

Mirza Mu'izz-ud-Din Beg Muhammad Khan (Persian: میرزا معزالدین بیگ محمد خان‎ ,10 May 1661 – 11 February 1713),[4][5] more commonly known by his title Jahandar Shah (Persian: جهاندار شاه‎, lit. ' The owner of the World' Template:IPA-fa), was the ninth Mughal Emperor who ruled briefly in the period 1712–1713. He was the son of emperor Bahadur Shah I, and the grandson of emperor Aurangzeb.

Jahandar Shah was the first puppet ruler of the Mughal dynasty, having been placed on the throne by powerful noble Zulfiqar Khan. His reign was short and turbulent, lasting less than a year. He was deposed by the Sayyid brothers and succeeded by his nephew Farrukhsiyar.

Early life

Prince Mu'izz-ud-din was born on 10 May 1661 in Deccan Subah[citation needed] to Prince Mu'azzam. His mother Nizam Bai, the daughter of Fatehyawar Jang, was a noble from Hyderabad.[6] He was Muazzam's eldest son,[7] and eldest grandson of reigning emperor Aurangzeb. Following Mughal tradition, his birth was grandly celebrated by the Mughal court.[8]

During Aurangzeb's reign, he participated in military campaigning in the Deccan for three years, after which he was permanently shifted to northern India.[9]

After Aurangzeb's death, Prince Mu'azzam won the ensuing succession struggle and in June 1707, ascended the throne as Bahadur Shah.[10] Upon his father's accession, Mu'izz-ud-din was awarded the title Jahandar Shah, and made governor of Thatta and Multan.[11] Through the course of Bahadur Shah's reign, Jahandar Shah would stay at the imperial court, like the other sons of Bahadur Shah, because the emperor had ascended the throne at an old age, and the princes wanted to be within close reach of the throne in case of his demise.[12]

War of succession

A war of succession began as Bahadur Shah lay on his deathbed in 1712. The most powerful prince at the time of his death was his second son Azim-us-Shan, who had amassed significant resources as the subahdar of Bengal. Jahandar Shah was the weakest, with little-to-no military power or funds.[13][14]

Unlike previous Mughal wars of succession, the outcome of this war was engineered by a noble, Zulfiqar Khan, the mir bakhshi and one of the most powerful figures in the Mughal empire. He built an alliance between Jahandar Shah, and his younger brothers Rafi-us-Shan and Jahan Shah, proposing to them that they could divide the empire between them upon victory (with Zulfiqar Khan serving as their common mir bakhshi). Azim-us-Shan was defeated and killed, following which Jahandar Shah broke the alliance and turned on his brothers, defeating them and killing them with the help of Zulfiqar Khan, emerging as the victor of the succession struggle.[13][14]

Reign

Lal Kunwar
Mughal Army commander Abdus Samad Khan Bahadur being received by Jahandar Shah

Jahandar Shah was crowned on 29 March, 1712.[15] His accession was not well-supported in the empire, and he was viewed as an illegitimate ruler. Hence, upon his coronation, Jahandar Shah moved to consolidate his authority by rewarding and promoting his supporters. He departed from previous Mughal succession practices by severely punishing the nobles who had supported his brothers in the succession, with several of them being executed. He also let the bodies of the defeated princes rot in the open for several days before their entombment, unlike previous emperors who had insisted on a proper burial.[16]

With Jahandar Shah's accession, Zulfiqar Khan assumed the post of wazir. Due to Jahandar Shah's complete dependence on him, and the circumstances of his accession to the throne, effective power was wielded not by the emperor but by Zulfiqar Khan himself. This was the first occurrence in Mughal history that absolute power over the empire was wielded by an outsider to the dynasty. As the effective ruler during Jahandar Shah's reign, Zulfiqar Khan sought to establish amicable relationships with the Rajputs, Sikhs, and Marathas, and bring back peace in the empire. However, the empire's finances were deteriorating, continuing a trend that had begun with Jahandar Shah's predecessors, which decreased the empire's military effectiveness. The excessive power enjoyed by Zulfiqar Khan caused Jahandar Shah to conspire against him, creating political chaos.[14]

During his reign, Jahandar Shah married courtesan Lal Kunwar, who was considered to be of lowly origins; she became his favoured wife, and subsequently her family gained unprecedent power and status. Jahandar Shah also indulged in feasts and entertainments. Contemporary chroniclers and later historians have pointed out such aspects of the emperor's personal life, and the cruelty meted to his opponents, as reasons behind the turbulence of his reign. However, recent scholars highlight other factors; Munis Faruqui emphasizes his political weakness as a prince, which set him up for failure as a ruler. Abhishek Kaicker notes that nobles had themselves became more self-interested around the time of Jahandar Shah's accession, and that the "cruelty" of his reign was their defense for siding with Farrukhsiyar, who deposed Jahandar Shah.[14][17][18]

Deposition

Jahandar Shah's accession invited the challenge of his nephew Farrukhsiyar, the son of Azim-us-Shan, who was based in Bengal. With little independent resources, he unsuccessfully desperately attempted to find backing for his bid. He eventually found powerful support in the Sayyid brothers, Husain Ali Khan and Abdullah Khan, administrators of Azim-us-Shan who had been removed from their postings by Jahandar Shah.[19][14] With their resources and political connections, Farrukhsiyar assembled a rebel army and advanced on the throne. The underpaid imperial army was defeated in battle near Agra in early 1713.[20]

Death

Upon defeat, Jahandar Shah fled to Delhi and sought refuge at the house of Zulfiqar Khan and his father Asad Khan. However, the two imprisoned him and turned him over to Farrukhsiyar, in hopes of securing his favour. Farrukhsiyar had both Jahandar Shah and Zulfiqar Khan executed, with Jahandar Shah being beaten to death and then beheaded on 11 February, 1713.[21] Jahandar Shah's body was paraded around Delhi in parts, hanging upside down from two elephants.[22] He was buried in Humayun's tomb.[21]

Marriages

Jahandar Shah's first wife was the daughter of Mirza Mukarram Khan Safavi. The marriage took place on 13 October 1676.[23] After her death he married her niece, Sayyid-un-Nisa Begum, the daughter of Rustam Mirza, on 30 August 1684.[24] Qazi Abu Sa'id united them in the presence of Emperor Aurangzeb, and Prince Mu'azzam.[25] The marriage was consummated on 18 September. Sayyid-un-Nisa Begum was presented with jewels worth 67,000 rupees. The celebrations were supervised by Princess Zinat-un-nissa Begum.[26]

His third wife was a Rajput Princess, Anup Bai.[27] She was the mother of Prince Muhammad Aziz-ud-din Mirza, born on 6 June 1699. She died at Delhi on 17 April 1735,[24] nineteen years before her son's accession to the throne as Emperor Alamgir II.

His fourth wife, Lal Kunwar, was the daughter of Khasusiyat Khan.[28] Jahandar Shah was very fond of her, and after his accession to the throne, he gave her the title Imtiyaz Mahal. She was influential in his reign and was famous for guiding the emperor.[24]

Full Title

His full title was Shahanshah-i-Ghazi Abu'l Fath Mu'izz-ud-Din Muhammad Jahandar Shah Sahib-i-Qiran Padshah-i-Jahan (Khuld Aramgah).

Coins

Jahandar Shah reintroduced couplets and issued coins in gold, silver, and copper. Two couplets i.e. Abu al-Fateh and Sahab Qiran were used. Copper coins were issued in both weight standard i.e. 20 grams and 14 grams.[citation needed]

  • Silver Rupee of Abu al-Fateh couplet, Khujista Bunyaad, AH1124 Ry.Ahd
    Silver Rupee of Abu al-Fateh couplet, Khujista Bunyaad, AH1124 Ry.Ahd
  • Silver Rupee of Sahab Qiran couplet, Itawa, AH1124 Ry.Ahd
    Silver Rupee of Sahab Qiran couplet, Itawa, AH1124 Ry.Ahd
  • Copper paisa of 20.21 grams from Surat mint
    Copper paisa of 20.21 grams from Surat mint
  • Copper paisa of 13.85 grams from Surat mint
    Copper paisa of 13.85 grams from Surat mint

Notes

  1. ↑ Richards, John F, ed. (1993). Jahandar Shah. Cambridge University Press. p. 261. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  2. ↑ Irvine 1921, Jahandar Shah page. 240.
  3. ↑ Irvine 1921, Jahandar Shah page. 241.
  4. ↑ Nigam, S. B. P. (1983). The Jahandarnamah of Nur- ud-rin. Journal of Indian History. Vol. 61. Department of Modern Indian History. p. 95.
  5. ↑ Montgomery-Massingberd, Hugh (1977), Burke's Royal Families of the World, vol. II, Burke's Peerage, p. 139, ISBN 978-0-85011-029-6
  6. ↑ Muni Lal, Mini Mughals (1989) p. 28
  7. ↑ Faruqui 2012, p. 287.
  8. ↑ Faruqui 2012, p. 70.
  9. ↑ Faruqui 2012, p. 299.
  10. ↑ Faruqui 2012, p. 311.
  11. ↑ Irvine, William (1971). Later Mughals. Atlantic Publishers & Distributors. p. 36.
  12. ↑ Faruqui 2012, p. 312.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Faruqui 2012, p. 310 & 315-317.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 A history of modern India, 1480-1950. Claude Markovits, Nisha George, Maggy Hendry. London: Anthem Press. 2002. pp. 174–175. ISBN 1-84331-004-X. OCLC 50175836.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  15. ↑ Chandra, Satish (2002). Parties and politics at the Mughal Court, 1707-1740 (4th ed.). New Delhi: Oxford University Press. p. 107. ISBN 0-19-565444-7. OCLC 50004530.
  16. ↑ Faruqui 2012, p. 318.
  17. ↑ Faruqui 2012, p. 317.
  18. ↑ Kaicker, Abhishek (2020). The king and the people : sovereignty and popular politics in Mughal Delhi. New York, NY. pp. 187–189. ISBN 978-0-19-007070-0. OCLC 1114271590.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  19. ↑ Faruqui 2012, p. 319.
  20. ↑ Eaton, Richard Maxwell (2019). India in the Persianate Age, 1000-1765. London. pp. 341–343. ISBN 978-0-7139-9582-4. OCLC 1103492435.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Irvine, William (1971). Later Mughals. Atlantic Publishers & Distributors. pp. 236–256.
  22. ↑ Alam, Muzaffar (2013). The Crisis of Empire in Mughal North India: Awadh and Punjab, 1707-48 (Second ed.). New Delhi. pp. liii. ISBN 978-0-19-908238-4. OCLC 847731660.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  23. ↑ Sarkar 1947, p. 93.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 Irvine 1921, p. 242.
  25. ↑ Sarkar 1947, p. 151.
  26. ↑ Sarkar 1947, p. 152.
  27. ↑ Lal, Muni. Mini Mughals. p. 67.
  28. ↑ Irvine 1921, p. 180.

References

  • Sarkar, Jadunath (1947). Maasir-i-Alamgiri: A History of Emperor Aurangzib-Alamgir (reign 1658-1707 AD) of Saqi Mustad Khan. Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal, Calcutta.
  • Irvine, William (1921). The Later Mughals. Low Price Publications. ISBN 8175364068.
  • Faruqui, Munis D (2012), Princes of the Mughal Empire, 1504-1719, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, ISBN 978-1-139-52619-7, OCLC 808366461


External links

Jahandar Shah
Preceded by
Bahadur Shah I 		Mughal Emperor
1712–1713 		Succeeded by
Farrukhsiyar
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