Bahadur Shah Zafar II (1775-1862)
He was the last Mughul Emperor to rule Delhi. He assumed the throne at a very late age of 62 years in 1837 after the demise of his father Akbar Shah. His rule and territory were restricted to the areas in and around Delhi. He spent most of time writing poems, attending mushairas, and with his Begums within Red Fort.
When the Mutiny broke out in Delhi he was made a reluctant leader by the rebels. When the rebellion at Delhi was put down he ran out of Shajahanabad to Humans Tomb with close family members. He was captured there by Major Hodson brought back and two of his sons and a grand son were killed near Khooni Darwaza on the way to Red Fort. The British ultimately exiled him to Rangoon fearing he may be again a focal point for future revolt although he wanted to be exiled to Mecca.
In Rangoon Bahadur Shah badly missed Hindustan, His favourite Delhi Biryani, Mangoes, Kababs and Moong kind Dal. The few people around him Spoke a different language which he cannot understand.
He died on 7th November 1862 with his youngest wife, two sons some Begums and servants at his bedside. A grave was hurriedly dug in the evening and the body buried into it without any fun fare under lanterns lights. Mud was spread over it and no marks were left for identifying it. He is now being revered as a Pir in Rangoon and people visit his Mazar for seeking favours.
He is the only Mughul emperor to have been photographed.
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