Besides being the last Mughal ruler, what other roles did Bahadur Shah Zafar have?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Poet, scholar and connoisseur
Option (1) Falconer, diarist and connoisseur — Incorrect. Jahangir was the keen connoisseur who had his fine falcons painted for his official biography, the Jahangirnama. This is not said of the last Mughal ruler.
Option (2) Poet, scholar and connoisseur — Correct. The last Mughal ruler was also a poet, scholar and connoisseur.
Option (3) Mystic, linguist and philosopher — Incorrect. These fit Dara Shikoh, who followed Sufi mysticism, knew many languages and was philosophical.
Option (4) Poet, architect and builder — Incorrect. He was a poet, but the passion for monumental architecture belongs to Shah Jahan, who built the Taj Mahal.
NCERT (2026-27): “Later Mughal Painting …Although some masterworks were produced during the periods of Muhammad Shah Rangila, Shah Alam II and Bhadur Shah Zafar, these were mere last flickers in the candle that was the Mughal miniature style. Bahadur Shah Zafar, painting, dated 1838, was made about two decades before he was exiled to Burma by the British, who were quick to see that no claimant to Mughal authority remains anywhere near Delhi to claim their imperial authority, after the failure of the Indian Revolt of 1857. He was the last Mughal ruler, who was also a poet, scholar and connoisseur.” |