Jahandar Shah was a Mughal Emperor who reigned from 1712 to 1713, also known as Mirza Muhammad Mu'izz-ud-Di. He was the son of Emperor Bahadur Shah I and was born in Deccan Subah. Nizam Bai, the daughter of Fatehyawar Jang, a lord from Hyderabad, was his mother. Jahadar Shah was known in history for Ijarah system, which was a heinous revenue farming scheme (1712 to 1713). This article will explain to you about Jahandar Shah (1712-1713) which will be helpful in Modern Indian History preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.

Jahandar Shah - Early Life

• Prince Jahandar Shah was the son of Emperor Bahadur Shah I and was born in Deccan Subah.
• Nizam Bai, the daughter of Fatehyawar Jang, a king from Hyderabad, was his mother.
• In 1671, his grandfather, Aurangzeb, named Jahandar Shah as Vizier of Balkh. When their grandpa died on February 27, 1712, he and his brother, Azim-ush-Shan, crowned themselves emperors and fought for control of the throne.
• After Azim-us-Shan was assassinated on March 17, 1712, Jahandar Shah reigned for another eleven months.
• Jahandar Shah traveled over the Indian Ocean and was a successful trader before succeeding to the throne.
• He was also given the title of Sindh Subedar.
• He had three sons, one of which being Aziz-ud-Din, the Mughal emperor from 1754 to 1759.

Jahandar Shah - Reign

• After Bahadur Shah's death, a new type of politics evolved in the Mughals' political arena, in which nobles were 'king makers,' and rulers were only 'puppets' in their hands.
• Jahandar Shah was Mughal India's first puppet king. Zulfiqar Khan (wazir), who had the executive reins in his hands, backed him up.
• Zulfiqar Khan developed cordial relationships with the Marathas, Rajputs, and various Hindu chieftains.
• He abolished jizya and bestowed the titles of "Maharaja '' and "Mirza Raja Sawai" on Ajit Singhof Marwar and Jai Singh of Amber, respectively.
• Shahu was also given the Deccan Chauth and Sardeshmukhi by him.
• However, Banda Bahadur and the Sikhs were subjected to the same oppressive policies as before.
• Zulfiqar also attempted to improve the empire's financial status by scrutinizing rash jagir and office allocations.
• He also required mansabdars to maintain the official army quota.
• However, he is remembered for instituting the heinous practice of Ijarah (revenue farming).
• Jahandar Shah lived a hedonistic lifestyle, and his court was frequently enlivened by dancing and other forms of entertainment.
• Lal Kunwar, his favorite wife, was a lowly dancing girl until she was elevated to the role of Queen Consort.
• They stunned the Mughal Empire, and even Aurangzeb's surviving daughter, Zeenat-un-Nissa, resisted them.
• The third Nawab of the Carnatic, Muhammed Saadatullah Khan I, denied his authority and assassinated De Singh of Orchha, largely because the Nawab believed he was the righteous commander of the Gingee Fort.
• Khan launched a smear campaign against Jahandar Shah, calling him a usurper on the Mughal throne.
• Jahandar Shah sent presents to the Ottoman Sultan Ahmad III to bolster his power.
• On 10 January 1713, Jahandar Shah was defeated in combat at Agra by Farrukhsiyar, his nephew and the second son of Azim-ush-Shan, with the help of the Sayyid Brothers.
• He went to Delhi, where he was apprehended and given to the new Emperor, who imprisoned him and Lal Kunwar.
• He was imprisoned for a month until professional stranglers were dispatched to murder him on February 11, 1713.

Coinage of Jahandar Shah

• Jahandar Shah reinstated couplets and struck gold, silver, and copper coins. Two couplets i.e. Abu al-Fateh and Sahab Qiran were utilized.
• Copper coins were produced in two weight standards: 20 g and 14 g.
• Jahandar Shah issued the gold mohur, which was struck in Mustaqir ul-Mulk, or the 'Abode of the Kingdom’.

Ijarah system

• The Ijarah system entailed awarding a formed task in exchange for a lump-sum payment to the highest bidder.
• During the Mughal era, it was commonly practiced. Jahadar Shah established the Ijarah system, which was a revenue farming scheme (1712 to 1713).
• In the 18th century, the ijarah technique of income assessment and collection became prevalent.
• When peasants lacked the resources to cultivate their land or when cultivation was rendered impossible due to a natural disaster, the fields were farmed out on ijarah to a third party known as revenue farmers.
• It was illegal for tax officials or their relatives to acquire land on ijarah.
• It was expected that revenue farmers would not take more than the stipulated land revenue from peasants.
• The revenue farmer paid the government nine-tenths of the entire amount collected and kept the rest as collection costs.

Conclusion

Jahandar Shah, the son of Bahadur Shah I, reigned for just a short time. Following their father's death on February 27, 1712, he and his brother Azim-ush-Shan declared themselves emperors and engaged in a succession battle. The emperor, who enjoyed luxury and pleasure, spent most of his time with Lal Kanwar, who had significant power over him.

FAQs

Q1: Who was Jahandar Shah?

Q2: What were Jahandar Shah’s policies during his reign?

Q3: Who overthrew Jahandar Shah?

Q4: Why is Jahandar Shah’s reign considered significant?

Q5: How did Jahandar Shah's court reflect his priorities?

MCQs

1. When did Jahandar Shah become the Mughal Emperor?

A) 1707

B) 1712

C) 1739

D) 1719

2. Who assisted in the overthrow of Jahandar Shah?

A) Nadir Shah

B) Sayyid Brothers

C) Marathas

D) British

3. Which courtesan greatly influenced Jahandar Shah?

A) Nur Jahan

B) Lal Kunwar

C) Mumtaz Mahal

D) Roshanara Begum

4. What was the outcome of Jahandar Shah’s reign?

A) Consolidation of the Mughal Empire

B) Weakening of Mughal authority

C) Military expansion

D) Peace and stability

5. Who succeeded Jahandar Shah as the Mughal Emperor?

A) Muhammad Shah

B) Bahadur Shah I

C) Farrukhsiyar

D) Alamgir II

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1. Examine the factors that led to the decline of Jahandar Shah’s reign.

Answer: Jahandar Shah’s reign lasted only a year, marked by poor administration, indulgence, and extravagant spending. His attachment to Lal Kunwar and focus on pleasure alienated powerful nobles and military commanders. The Sayyid Brothers, emerging as kingmakers, supported his nephew Farrukhsiyar, leading to his overthrow. Jahandar Shah's failure to manage internal politics reflected the weakening authority of the Mughal throne, a trend that contributed to the empire’s gradual disintegration in the following decades.

Q2. Analyze the impact of Jahandar Shah’s policies on the Mughal administration.

Answer: Jahandar Shah's reign highlighted the decline in the administrative efficiency of the Mughal Empire. His preference for a luxurious lifestyle undermined governance, alienating competent officials. The nobles, especially the Sayyid Brothers, exploited the emperor’s weaknesses to consolidate their influence. This period saw a growing trend of factionalism and power struggles, setting the stage for future instability in the empire.

Q3. How did the Sayyid Brothers rise to prominence during Jahandar Shah’s reign?

Answer: The Sayyid Brothers capitalized on Jahandar Shah's ineffective rule to strengthen their control over Mughal politics. They supported Farrukhsiyar’s claim to the throne, ultimately orchestrating Jahandar Shah’s overthrow in 1713. Their actions during and after his reign demonstrate the growing influence of powerful nobles and commanders, diminishing the authority of the emperor and marking the beginning of political instability within the Mughal Empire.

Previous Year Questions on  Jahandar Shah

1. UPSC CSE 2018

Question. Discuss the political significance of Jahandar Shah's brief reign in the decline of the Mughal Empire.

Answer: Jahandar Shah’s brief reign from 1712 to 1713 marked the onset of a period of political instability for the Mughal Empire. His indulgence in luxury and reliance on courtesan Lal Kunwar alienated key nobles and military commanders. The Sayyid Brothers, emerging as influential power-brokers, supported Farrukhsiyar in overthrowing Jahandar Shah. His reign highlighted the growing factionalism among nobles, leading to weakened imperial authority. The power struggle between the emperor and his nobles, exemplified during Jahandar Shah’s time, laid the groundwork for further instability, contributing to the eventual decline of the Mughal Empire.

2. UPSC CSE 2020

Question. Explain how the role of the Sayyid Brothers evolved during and after Jahandar Shah’s reign.

Answer: The Sayyid Brothers rose to prominence by orchestrating the overthrow of Jahandar Shah in favor of Farrukhsiyar in 1713. Their role evolved from supporting the emperor to becoming de facto rulers, controlling the Mughal administration. Jahandar Shah’s weakness as a ruler allowed the Sayyid Brothers to consolidate power, marking the beginning of the ‘kingmaker’ era in Mughal politics. After Jahandar Shah's removal, they continued to wield influence over subsequent emperors, shaping Mughal policies. However, their dominance also created friction among other nobles, further destabilizing the empire.