New Delhi: The Mughal Empire was one of the most powerful empires in the Indian subcontinent in terms of military, economy, culture and other aspects. Founded by Babur, the empire steadfastly expanded its boundaries and consolidated its power till the reign of Aurangzeb. He was the last powerful Mughal Emperor and after his death on March 3, 1707, the Mughal Emperor began to disintegrate rapidly. In this article, we will take a look at the life of Muhammad Azam Shah, the one who succeeded Aurangzeb and was the first at the helm of the Mughal’s downfall phase.
The life and rise of Muhammad Azam Shah
Born on June 28, 1653, Muhammad Azam Shah was the third son of Aurangzeb and Dilras Banu Begum, his chief queen. His mother, who died when Azam was just 4 years old, was the princess of Persia’s Safavid dynasty. Hence, he had the Timurid blood from his father’s side and the Safavid blood from his mother’s side, which used to make him extremely proud.
Azam, during his growing up years, was known for his wisdom, chivalry, excellent manners and noble character, which delighted Aurangzeb extremely who perceived him more as a comrade than his son. In 1668, he reportedly got married to Ramani Gabharu (later Rahmat Bano Begum), an Ahom princess and married Dara Shikoh’s daughter Jahanzeb Bano Begum in the next year, and their child Bidar Bakht would be the favourite grandson of Aurangzeb. Later, Azam married Adil Shahi dynasty’s princess Shahar Bano Begum in 1681, reportedly his last wife.
Becoming the emperor
In 1685, Azam Shah was sent to capture Bijapur Fort and defeat the ruler of Bijapur, Sikandar Adil Shah. Later, an infuriated Aurangzeb himself had to enter the battlefield and lead the Mughals to victory. He became the Subahdar of Malwa, Bengal and Berar Subah and served in that role from 1678 to 1701 and completed the construction of the Lalbagh Fort in Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka. From 1701 to 1706, he served as the governor of Gujarat.
In February 1707, Aurangzeb separated Azam and Kam Baksh, the former’s half-brother to avoid a clash for the throne. After the death of the emperor, Azam went to the imperial camp and took his father’s body to Daulatabad for burial at his tomb. Following that, he proclaimed himself Emperor.
However, his reign as the emperor lasted for a few months, from March 14 to June 20, 1707. During the struggle for succession, on June 20, 1707, Azam and his son Prince Bidar Bakht were killed in the Battle of Jajau by Prince Muhammad Mu’azzam, the second son of Aurangzeb who would go on to become the next Mughal Emperor. Today, the grave of the first Mughal Emperor in the post-Aurangzeb era lies in the Dargah complex of Sufi saint Sheikh Zainuddin, along with his wife’s grave at Khuldabad in Maharashtra.
Azam Shah, during his growing up years, was known for his wisdom, chivalry, excellent manners and noble character, which delighted Aurangzeb extremely who perceived him more as a comrade than his son. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
