BAHADUR SHAH II

born Oct. 24, 1775, Delhi, India died Nov. 7, 1862, Rangoon [now Yangn], Myanmar the last Mughal emperor of India (reigned 183758). He was a poet, musician, and calligrapher, more an aesthete than a political leader. He was the second son of Akbar Shah II and Lal Bai. For most of his reign he was a client of the British and was without real authority. He figured briefly, and unwillingly, in the Indian Mutiny of 185758; during the mutiny, rebel troops from the city of Meerut seized Delhi and compelled Bahadur Shah to accept nominal leadership of the revolt. At the age of 82, and in fear of his life, he acquiesced. After the rebellion was put down by the British, he was exiled to Burma (Myanmar) with his family.