Bahadur Shah Zafar(1775 – 1862)

Abu Zafar Siraj-ud-Din Muhammad Bahadur Shah

The last Mughal Emperor — poet, calligrapher, and reluctant leader of the 1857 Indian Rebellion, who died in British exile in Rangoon.

Bahadur Shah Zafar

What you need to know

  • Born 24 October 1775 in Delhi
  • Became emperor in 1837 but was largely a pensioner of the British
  • Proclaimed leader of the 1857 Indian Rebellion by rebel sepoys
  • Tried and convicted of treason after British suppression of the revolt
  • Exiled to Rangoon (Yangon, Burma) in 1858
  • Died 7 November 1862 in Rangoon; buried there
  • Famous couplet: 'Kitna hai bad-naseeb Zafar dafn ke liye / Do gaz zameen bhi na mili koo-e-yaar mein'

Relations

Family

Descendant of
Aurangzeb
Last updated Edited by Editorial team
Facts at a glance
Born
Died
Gender
MALE
Religion
ISLAM
Type
RULER

Details

Full Name
Abu Zafar Siraj-ud-Din Muhammad Bahadur Shah Zafar
Born
24 October 1775, Delhi
Died
7 November 1862, Rangoon, Burma
Reign
1837–1857
Buried
Rangoon (Yangon), Myanmar
Known For
Urdu poetry, Ghazals, 1857 Rebellion
Pen Name
Zafar (Victory)