Early life[edit]

Prince Jahandar Shah was born in Deccan Subah to the later Emperor Bahadur Shah I. His
mother was Nizam Bai, the daughter of Fatehyawar Jang, a noble from Hyderabad.[6]
Jahandar Shah was appointed as Vizier of Balkh in 1671 by his grandfather, Aurangzeb. When
their grandfather died on 27 February 1712, he and his brother, Azim-ush-Shan, both declared
themselves emperor and battled for succession. Azim-us-Shan was killed on 17 March 1712,
after which Jahandar Shah ruled for an additional eleven months. Before ascending the throne,
Jahandar Shah sailed around the Indian Ocean and was a very prosperous trader. He was also
appointed Subedar of Sindh. He fathered three sons, including Aziz-ud-Din, who reigned
as Mughal emperor between 1754 and 1759.

Reign[edit]

Lal Kunwar

Mughal Army commander Abdus Samad Khan Bahadur being received by Jahandar Shah

Jahandar Shah led a frivolous life, and his court was often enlivened by dancing and
entertainment. He chose a favourite wife, Lal Kunwar, who was a mere dancing girl before her
elevation to the position of Queen Consort. Together they shocked the Mughal Empire and were
even opposed by Aurangzeb's surviving daughter, Zeenat-un-Nissa.[7]
His authority was rejected by the third Nawab of the Carnatic, Muhammed Saadatullah Khan I,
who killed De Singh of Orchha, primarily due to the Nawab's belief that he was the righteous
commander of the Gingee Fort. Khan began a smear campaign referring to Jahandar Shah as an
usurper to the Mughal throne. To further strengthen his authority, Jahandar Shah sent gifts to
the Ottoman Sultan Ahmad III.[8]

Marriages[edit]
Jahandar Shah's first wife was the daughter of Mirza Mukarram Khan Safavi. The marriage took
place on 13 October 1676.[9] After her death he married her niece, Sayyid-un-nissa Begum, the
daughter of Mirza Rustam. The marriage took place on 30 August 1684. [10] Qazi Abu Sa'id united
them in the presence of Emperor Aurangzeb, and Prince Muhammad Muazzam (future Bahadur
Shah I).[11] The marriage was consummated on 18 September. Sayyid-un-nissa Begum was
presented with jewels worth 67,000 rupees. The celebrations were supervised by Princess Zinat-
un-nissa Begum.[7]
His third wife was Anup Bai. She was the mother of Prince Muhammad Aziz-ud-din Mirza, born
on 6 June 1699. She died at Delhi on 17 April 1735, [10] nineteen years before her son's accession
to the throne as Emperor Alamgir II. His fourth wife was Lal Kunwar, the daughter of Khasusiyat
Khan.[12] Jahandar Shah was very fond of her, and after his accession to the throne, he gave her
the title Imtiyaz Mahal.[10]

Death[edit]

Silver coin issued from Shahjahanabad, during the reign of Jahandar Shah.

He was defeated in the battle at Agra on 10 January 1713 by Farrukhsiyar, his nephew and the
second son of Azim-ush-Shan, with the support of the Sayyid Brothers. He fled to Delhi where he
was captured and handed over to the new Emperor, who confined him along with Lal Kunwar. He
lived in confinement for a month, until 11 February 1713, when professional stranglers were sent
to murder him.[citation needed]

Coins[edit]
Jahandar Shah reintroduced couplets and issued coins in gold, silver, and copper. Two couplets
i.e. Abu al-Fateh and Sahab Qiran were used. Copper coins were issued in both weight standard
i.e. 20 grams and 14 grams.[citation needed]

Silver Rupee of Abu al-Fateh couplet, Khujista Bunyaad, AH1124 Ry.Ahd

 
 

Silver Rupee of Sahab Qiran couplet, Itawa, AH1124 Ry.Ahd

 

Copper paisa of 20.21 grams from Surat mint

 

Copper paisa of 13.85 grams from Surat mint

Notes[edit]
1. ^ Richards, John F, ed. (1993). Jahandar Shah.  The Mughal Empire. Cambridge University
Press. p.  261.
2. ^ Irvine 1921, Jahandar Shah page. 240.
3. ^ Irvine 1921, Jahandar Shah page. 241.
4. ^ Nigam, S. B. P. (1983).  The Jahandarnamah of Nur- ud-rin. Journal of Indian History. Vol. 61.
Department of Modern Indian History. p.  95.
5. ^ Montgomery-Massingberd, Hugh (1977),  Burke's Royal Families of the World, vol.  II, Burke's
Peerage, p. 139,  ISBN  978-0-85011-029-6
6. ^ Muni Lal, Mini Mughals (1989) p. 28
7. ^ Jump up to:a b Sarkar 1947, p. 152.
8. ^ Farooqi, Naimur Rahman (1 January 1989).  Mughal-Ottoman relations: a study of political &
diplomatic relations between Mughal India and the Ottoman Empire, 1556-1748. Idarah-i
Adabiyat-i Delli.
9. ^ Sarkar 1947, p. 93.
10. ^ Jump up to:a b c Irvine, p. 242.
11. ^ Sarkar 1947, p. 151.
12. ^ Irvine, p. 180.

References[edit]
 Sarkar, Jadunath (1947). Maasir-i-Alamgiri: A History of Emperor Aurangzib-Alamgir (reign
1658-1707 AD) of Saqi Mustad Khan. Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal, Calcutta.
 Irvine, William (1921). The Later Mughals. Low Price Publications. ISBN 8175364068