Which Mughal ruler was overthrown by British and sent to exile in Burma, after the revolt of 1857?
Bahadur Shah II
Understanding the Mughal Ruler Exiled After the 1857 Revolt
The question asks about the Mughal ruler who was overthrown by the British and sent into exile in Burma following the Revolt of 1857. The Revolt of 1857, also known as the Indian Mutiny or Sepoy Mutiny, was a significant uprising against British rule in India.
During this widespread rebellion, the rebels, including mutinous sepoys and various regional leaders, rallied around the figure of the then-Mughal Emperor in Delhi. Although his actual power was limited by the British, he was seen as a symbolic head of the Indian resistance against foreign rule.
Let's look at the options provided:
- Bahadur Shah I: He ruled from 1707 to 1712, long before the 1857 revolt.
- Shah Jahan: Famous for building the Taj Mahal, he ruled from 1628 to 1658, centuries before 1857.
- Alamgir II: He ruled from 1754 to 1759, well before the revolt.
- Bahadur Shah II: He was the last Mughal Emperor, reigning from 1837 to 1857. He was on the throne during the 1857 Revolt and was proclaimed the Emperor of India by the rebels.
After the British suppressed the revolt and recaptured Delhi, they captured Bahadur Shah II. He was tried for treason and subsequently exiled to Rangoon (now Yangon) in Burma, where he died in 1862. His exile marked the formal end of the Mughal dynasty's rule in India, which had lasted for over three centuries.
Therefore, the Mughal ruler overthrown by the British and sent to exile in Burma after the Revolt of 1857 was Bahadur Shah II.
| Mughal Ruler | Reign Period | Connection to 1857 Revolt |
|---|---|---|
| Bahadur Shah I | 1707-1712 | Ruled much earlier. |
| Shah Jahan | 1628-1658 | Ruled much earlier. |
| Alamgir II | 1754-1759 | Ruled much earlier. |
| Bahadur Shah II | 1837-1857 | Last Emperor, symbolic head of revolt, exiled to Burma. |
Revision Table: Key Facts about Bahadur Shah II and 1857
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mirza Abu Zafar Siraj-ud-din Muhammad Bahadur Shah Zafar |
| Reign | 1837 – 1857 |
| Role in 1857 Revolt | Proclaimed Emperor by rebels (symbolic head) |
| Fate after Revolt | Captured, tried for treason, exiled |
| Place of Exile | Rangoon, Burma |
| Death | November 7, 1862, in Rangoon |
| Significance | Last Mughal Emperor of India |
Additional Information: The Aftermath of the 1857 Revolt
The suppression of the 1857 Revolt had profound consequences for India and the British Raj:
- The rule of the British East India Company was transferred directly to the British Crown.
- A Secretary of State for India was appointed in the British cabinet.
- The Governor-General of India was given the additional title of Viceroy.
- The Indian army was reorganized to prevent future rebellions, increasing the proportion of British soldiers.
- The policy of annexing Indian states was generally abandoned in favour of indirect rule through loyal princes.
- The end of the Mughal dynasty symbolized the complete assertion of British power.
Important Questions from Later Mughals
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Alivardi Khan was a Nawab of ____.
Who was the Mughal emperor during the third battle of Panipat?
The last Nawab of Awadh was ______.
Who among the following was inspired by the ideals of the French Revolution?
