Question

The question in the textbook is “why did the rebels declare Bahadur Shah Zafar, who was very old and powerless, their leader?” What’s the answer

Answer 1

The Rebels declared Bahadur Shah Zafar, who was very old and powerless, their leader because he was the last Mughal emperor of India.

Explanation:

• The Mughal dynasty was set up in India in 1526 by Babur. From then onwards the main seat of power in India was in the hands of one or the other Mughal emperor.
• Most of the Mughals were benevolent rulers, and the people of India had looked up to them for leadership, aid and assistance whenever time came.
• But after the Battle of Plassey in 1757, the British East India Company gained power and started acquiring territories from the Indian rulers.
• After the Revolt of 1857 was started by the sepoys of the Company, they marched towards Delhi, which was under the control of British at that time.
• They temporarily took control of Delhi and declared Bahadur Shah Zafar as their leader despite he was old because they wanted to overthrow the British rule, and to bring back the rule of a ruler who was Indian by heart and was a benevolent leader unlike the British.
• They believed that Bahadur Shah Zafar would do works for the welfare of the Indians, while the sole purpose of the British East India Company was to reap profits on the cost of Indians.
• Although, soon the revolt was suppressed by the British, and Bahadur Shah Zafar was captured and was imprisoned in Myanmar.