In Mughal history, some names are known for bravery and administration, while some become synonymous with infamy due to their eccentricity and luxury. One such name is Jahandar Shah, during whose time the Mughal court became less a center of power and more a stage of spectacle. This emperor, who used to hold court sometimes without clothes and sometimes in the guise of a woman, became one of the most controversial rulers in history in just nine months. His story of power, love and cruelty still shocks.

Power struggle after the death of Bahadur Shah

After the death of Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah I in the year 1712, a fierce struggle for succession began in the Sultanate. In this fight between his sons, Jahandar Shah ultimately emerged victorious and ascended the throne of Delhi. However, as soon as he got power, he started losing hope that he would prove to be a stable and strong ruler. According to historians, Jahandar Shah became more interested in luxury than governance.

Lal Kunwar’s influence and centralization of power

Lal Kunwar played the most important role in the life and rule of Jahandar Shah. Lal Kunwar was the daughter of a famous singer Khasurait Khan and was known for dancing and beauty. As soon as he assumed power, Jahandar Shah gave her the status of queen and awarded her the title of ‘Imtiaz Mughal’. After this, the reins of governance gradually passed into his hands. Many important decisions of the court started being taken on the advice and wish of Lal Kunwar.

Abundance of relatives and weakness of administration

Lal Kunwar used his influence to get high mansabs and jagirs for his family and close people. Kinship started getting preference over qualification in administrative posts. Due to this, dissatisfaction spread in the Mughal court and the old nobles and generals started losing confidence in the emperor. The seriousness of governance started waning and power became weaker.

cruel decisions and crazy actions

In history, Jahandar Shah is remembered not only as a debaucher but also as a cruel ruler. It is mentioned in many accounts that he took tough decisions considering his own sons as a threat to his power. Apart from this, his behavior towards the common people is also said to be merciless.

The naked court and the image of the ‘lewd’

Jahandar Shah is most discussed about his strange activities. It is said that sometimes he used to reach the court without clothes, and sometimes he used to attend meetings wearing women’s clothes. These actions deeply hurt the dignity of the Mughal Sultanate. This was the reason why contemporary historians and courtiers called him a ‘licentious’ and incompetent ruler.

Only nine months of reign and a painful end

Jahandar Shah’s rule was very short-lived. In just nine months, taking advantage of his weak policies and court discontent, his nephew Farrukhsiyar rebelled against him. After the decisive defeat on 6 January 1713, Jahandar was forced to flee with Shah Lal Kunwar, but was soon captured. Jahandar Shah’s end after being captured was very painful. He was brutally killed in jail itself.

Also read: Why was this city of the world called the city of sins, how were the people here ‘punished’?

There are many information about Mughal history. However, stories about Auranzeb are also famous in all this. A story is related to the last stop of his age. It is a matter of 1680, when Aurangzeb reached South India with Lashkar of his entire empire. According to the Mughal tradition, the capital used to walk with the emperor, so his convoy used to go on a moving city. According to historian Audri Tushke, this journey was a lively performance of the strength of the Mughal Empire, but this journey removed him from Delhi forever. They never returned to the Red Fort again and the center of power became limited to South India. In South India, Aurangzeb led many surroundings and wars. His soldier Bhimsen Saxena wrote in his autobiography date-e-Dilkusha that the longing to capture Aurangzeb’s forts was unlimited, but these persistent wars weakened his power.

Aurangzeb’s personal life was filled with deep sorrows till old age. His daughters, son-in-law and grandchildren passed through one by one. The death of Jeb-un-Nisan (1702), son Akbar (1704), daughter-in-law Jahanjeb Bano (1705) and daughter Meher-un-Nisan (1706) broke them alone. According to the historian Jadunath government, till the end he remained surrounded by burning and sycophants. His sons Muazzam, Azam and Kambakhsh were not able to handle the throne. Disappointed with all this, Aurangzeb wrote in a letter that having a daughter is better than a unworthy son. Apart from this, he finally wrote to his sons, “How will you show your rivals and God in this world?”

Famine and epidemic in the south
From 1702 to 1704, South India was struggling with severe famine and epidemic. Passenger Nikolav Manuchi wrote that about 20 lakh people were killed in two years. People started selling their children at minor prices, but did not even get buyers. The villages became deserted and the atmosphere became frightening due to the odor of the corpses.

Aurangzeb’s death and legacy
Aurangzeb died in South India in 1707. They knew that the empire was shattered and their sons are not able to handle it. According to historian Moonis Farooqui, his harsh discipline and control over sons became his weakness. His life was spent in war and victories, but in the end his part came to loneliness, sorrow and a staggering empire.

Also read: Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb: Aurangzeb’s Hindu wife had crossed all limits of love, the whole Mughal family kept watching