Jahandar Shah (1712 – 1713) – GK

Q: Question : Did Jahandar Shah abolish the jizya tax?

Answer : Yes, but not the first time. Akbar in the 16th century first abolished this tax. Later Aurangzeb reintroduced it in the 17th century. Again Jahandar Shah abolished the Jazia tax after the death of his grandfather Aurangzeb.

Q: Question : Who was the first puppet Mughal emperor?

Answer : Jahandar Shah. He was the first puppet ruler of the Mughals. Wazir Zulfiqar Khan helped him to ascend the throne. As a result, all the administrative decisions were taken by Wazir Zulfiqar Khan.

Q: Question : Who defeated Jahandar Shah?

Answer : Jahandar Shah's nephew Farrukhsiyar defeated him in a battle in Agra.

Q: Question : What was the weakness of Jahandar Shah?

Answer : As Zulfiqar Khan helped Jahandar Shah for the throne, he controlled all the powers.

Jahandar Shah was born in Deccan on May 10, 1661.
His full name was Mirza Muizzuddin Beg Muhammad Khan.
He was the son of Bahadur Shah I and a grandson of Aurangzeb.
His mother’s name was Nizam Bai (she was from Hyderabad).
He came under the influence of Rani Lal Kunwar. She was a former dancing girl.
His favorite wife was Lal Kunwar (4th wife).
His reign was very short only from February 1712 to March 1713.
He was luxury and indulgence. Indulgent and inefficient governance made his reign short. For this Jahandar Shah was called the ‘Lord of Misrule‘.
Under the reign of Aurangzeb, Jahandar Shah was part of a military campaign in Deccan for three years. After that, he was permanently transferred to northern India.
1707: His father Bahadur Shah I awarded him the title “Jahandar Shah” during his coronation.
1707: Jahandar Shah was appointed the governor of Thatta and Multan when his father ascended the throne.
1712: With the help of Zulfiqar Khan, Jahandar Shah defeated his three brothers, Azim-us-Shah, Rafi-us-Shah and Jahan Shah, and ascended the throne.
As a result, Jahandar Shah was a puppet ruler of his prime minister (or wazir) Zulfiqar Khan.
He abolished the jizya tax and gave the Marathas rights to Chauth and Sardeshmukhi in the Deccan.
He encouraged the leasing system.
Jahandar Shah introduced two couplets – Abu al-Fateh and Sahab Qiran.
He gave the title “Maharaja” to Ajit Singh of Marwar and “Mirza Raja Sawai” to Jai Singh of Amber region.
1713: His nephew Farrukhsiyar (with the help of Syed brothers) defeated Jahandar Shah in the Battle of Agra (in March). Jahandar Shah was captured and brought to Delhi.
He was killed in captivity by the Syed brothers.
Jahandar Shah introduced coins of copper, silver, and gold.
There were two weight standards for copper coins: 20 grams and 14 grams.
Jahadar Shah introduced a revenue farming system called the Ijarah system.

Extra Info: 1713: When Jahandar Shah was defeated, he fled to Delhi. There, he took shelter under Zulfiqar Khan. But Zulfiqar Khan betrayed and handed him to Farrukhsiyar to gain his favor. However, Farrukhsiyar executed both Jahandar Shah and Zulfiqar Khan on 11 February 1713.

Info: Ijarah system (1712–1713): The Ijarah method involved assigning a task to the highest bidder in exchange for a certain amount.

Question: Did Jahandar Shah abolish the jizya tax?

Answer: Yes, but not the first time. Akbar in the 16th century first abolished this tax. Later Aurangzeb reintroduced it in the 17th century. Again Jahandar Shah abolished the Jazia tax after the death of his grandfather Aurangzeb.

Question: Who was the first puppet Mughal emperor?

Answer: Jahandar Shah. He was the first puppet ruler of the Mughals. Wazir Zulfiqar Khan helped him to ascend the throne. As a result, all the administrative decisions were taken by Wazir Zulfiqar Khan.

Question: Who defeated Jahandar Shah?

Answer: Jahandar Shah’s nephew Farrukhsiyar defeated him in a battle in Agra.

Question: What was the weakness of Jahandar Shah?

Answer: As Zulfiqar Khan helped Jahandar Shah for the throne, he controlled all the powers.