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Wednesday, 20 November 2019

LAST MUGHAL PRINCE MIRZA MUGHAL LIFE|DEATH|COMMANDER IN CHIEF|FAMILY 1857-fusionstories

CROWN PRINCE MIRZA MUGHAL LIFE|COMMANDER IN CHIEF|DEATH BY BRITISH 1857
Mirza Mughal was among the three princes that were killed naked and helpless by General Hudson amid public on 23 September 1857. Mirza Mughal was a crown prince and commander in chief of the Mughal army during the war of independence in 1857. General Hudson shot Prince Mirza Mughal along with his brother Prince Khizar Sultan and son Prince Abu Bakar right in front of Khuni Darwaza (bloody door) in Shahjahanabad (Now Delhi).  Then General Hudson looted the swords, signet rings, precious turquoise diamond bracelets, and jeweled swords as booty from princes’ belongings and cut the heads of three heirs of Mughal Empire brutally. The heads were sent to King Bahadur Shah Zafar with the note of termination of the Mughal Empire. King Bahadur Shah was staying in Humayun's tomb after leaving Red Fort in the hope to seek patronage from the graves of his forefathers against the British at that time. The slain bodies of three princes were towed on a cart and thrown in front of the police station for public display so natives can fear the British might. The Mughal Empire’s sun was set in Hindustan after shining and booming for than three hundred centuries with the killing of Crown Prince Mirza Mughal.




How last mughal prince died?

Sultan Muhammad Zahir ud-din or Prince Mirza Mughal was the fifth son of King Bahadur Shah Zafar and a legitimate candidate after the death of his stepbrother crown Prince Farukh Sharyar. He was born in 1817. His mother Sharif ul Mahal Sayidani belonged to a noble "Syed" family and was a wise woman. Mirza Mughal was nominated as a crown prince when his elder step brother Prince Farrukh Shaharyar was killed under British conspiracies. British  allowed legitimate son to heir the throne, not the sons from consorts. Bahadur Shah Zafar had 14 sons and 32 daughters. British were intended to end the Mughal monarchy after the death of Bahadur Shah Zafar and didn’t like the idea of Prince Mirza Mughal’s new designation.

Mirza Mughal seeked his education and learnt Arabic and Persian accompanying his elder brother Prince Farukh and Sir Syed Ahmed Khan in the fort. Like his father, he was also fond of poetry and arts. Mirza mughal didn't have much interest in learning military skills since childhood but he was a good swimmer and was fine spear-thrower.

Mirza Mughal was struggling with his new position when mutiny of 1857 gave him a chance to revive Mughal legacy. Almost all natives of Hindustan were angry and frustrated with East India Company’s harsh rules and taxes at that time. Also, sepoys of East India Company were suffocated for not giving higher ranks and allowances in Army and above all they were forced to use animal greased guns which were hitting their religious sentiments. In the hope to get freedom from the British under support from Red Fort, these sepoys from Meerut garrison rebelled against their officers on 10th May 1857 and marched to Red Fort Delhi. The rebellion sepoys captured Shahjahanabad with no resistance and announced Bahadur Shah Zafar as emperor of Hindustan.  The dream of the restoration of the Mughal Empire appealed all. These sepoys were confident of their military skills but just wanted a Mughal tag to motivate their struggle for freedom.


King Bahadur Shah foresighted the end of that attempt and was reluctant to support freedom fighters. Bahadur Shah knew that wars can’t be won with ready-made commanders and empty stomach but after a meeting and insistence of correspondents of freedom fighters Bahadur Shah Zafar nominate Mirza Mughal as commander-in-chief of new Mughal Army. While having an indolent and deluxe lifestyle Mirza Mughal didn’t have any managerial or military skills. He tried his best to reorganize the factions of rebellion sepoys from all over Hindustan but sepoys were not taking him seriously. With time sepoys spotted Mirza Mughal’s incapability and secondly, Mirza Mughal had to face conspiracies from Queen Zeenat Mahal and his stepbrother Prince Khizar who were not happy with his new appointment.

Mirza Mughal remained commander-in-chief from 14th May to 2nd July 1857 and fought in the battle of Lucknow with his Army. Mirza Mughal observed that sepoys were not giving respect to his commands but were arguing for money, food and other support from Red Fort. Freedom fighters promised to arrange for the war expenses as Bahadur Shah cleared the correspondents that Red Fort has nothing to support the fight. Just in one-month sepoys called for financial aid from Red Fort. Tax collection has been started from the city following the corruption which Commander Mirza Mughal couldn’t handle.

Mirza Mughal was again in hot waters when Subedar Bakhat Khan joined the freedom fighters with his 2000 men. Subedar Bakhat khan had a leading personality and after spotting the situation, he met Bahadur Shah Zafar. Subedar Bakhat khan forced the king to appoint him as the new commander in chief which was granted. Mirza Mughal was given the charge of administering the city.

Mirza Abu Bakar was 15 years old eldest son of Mirza Mughal. Prince Abu Bakar was enthusiastic and energetic young that accompany his father in many meetings and battlefield.

British Army reorganized their strength and also got aid from Nepal and Bengal to meet the mutiny. British army pushed freedom fighters back and seized them in the walls of Shahjahanabad by September. The war was fought furiously from both sides but the British were successful to breach the wall and entering the city. After the street fight, the British army captured the red fort.  But where were the residents of Red Fort? King, queens, prince, princess, servants! All residents of Red Fort already vacate the place after spotting the end of the war and hid at Humayun's tomb. Mirza Mughal was also in Humayun tomb with his family.

General Hudson met King Bahadur Shah Zafar in Humayun's tomb and ask him to surrender officially. He also asked to take princes with him as a guarantee of surrender. Bahadur Shah first requested General Hudson to declare Humayun tomb as a sub-jail but General Hudson insisted to take princes with him to the police station. He assured the king that no harm will be given to princes. Prince Shah Abbas was too young so he couldn’t accompany his brothers. Queen Zeenat Mahal saved his son Prince Jawan Bakhat of going with arrested princes so three princes left with Hudson that were Prince Mirza Mughal, Prince Khizar Sultan, and son of Mirza Mughal and grandson of Zafar Prince Abu Bakar. General Hudson broke his promise and killed three princes on the way to the police station. Mirza Mughal died on 23rd September evening when he was 40 years old. King Bahadur Shah Zafar was sent to jail and all other family members had to flee to save their lives. Mirza Jawan Bakhat and Prince Shah Abbas lived long after 1857 but couldn’t dare to stand against the British.

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