Later Mughal Period MCQ: Bahadur Shah Zafar & the End of Mughal Rule (1857)

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.What was the main outcome of the Battle of Buxar for the Mughal Emperor?

   • A.He became a pensioner of the British
   • B.He regained full power✓ Correct Answer
   • C.He was exiled to Rangoon
   • D.He defeated the British

   Explanation: Shah Alam II became the first Mughal Emperor to live as a pensioner of the East India Company.

2. Q2.Which Maratha leader restored Shah Alam II to the throne of Delhi in 1771?

   • A.Mahadji Scindia
   • B.Nana Phadnavis✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Raghunath Rao
   • D.Sadashivrao Bhau

   Explanation: Mahadji Scindia escorted Shah Alam II back to Delhi in 1771 and became the protector of the Emperor.

3. Q3.Who blinded the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II in 1788?

   • A.Ghulam Qadir Rohilla
   • B.Nadir Shah✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Ahmad Shah Abdali
   • D.Mahadji Scindia

   Explanation: Ghulam Qadir, a Rohilla chief, seized Delhi in 1788 and blinded Shah Alam II.

4. Q4.In which year did the English capture Delhi during the tenure of Shah Alam II?

   • A.1803
   • B.1757✓ Correct Answer
   • C.1764
   • D.1857

   Explanation: English captured Delhi in 1803 from the Marathas (Daulat Rao Scindia) during the tenure of Shah Alam II.

5. Q5.Who succeeded Shah Alam II in 1806?

   • A.Akbar II
   • B.Bahadur Shah Zafar✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Alamgir II
   • D.Muhammad Shah

   Explanation: Akbar II succeeded his father Shah Alam II in 1806 and reigned until 1837.

6. Q6.Who gave the title of 'Raja' to Ram Mohan Roy?

   • A.Akbar II
   • B.Bahadur Shah Zafar✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Shah Alam II
   • D.William Bentinck

   Explanation: Akbar II gave the title of 'Raja' to Ram Mohan Roy to plead his case for pension in England.

7. Q7.In which year did the British East India Company stop issuing coins in the name of the Mughal Emperor?

   • A.1835
   • B.1857✓ Correct Answer
   • C.1765
   • D.1818

   Explanation: In 1835, the British removed the name of the Mughal Emperor from their coinage.

8. Q8.Who was the last Mughal Emperor?

   • A.Bahadur Shah Zafar
   • B.Akbar II✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Shah Alam II
   • D.Muhammad Shah

   Explanation: The last Mughal emperor was Bahadur Shah Zafar (1837-1857).

9. Q9.Who was the father of Bahadur Shah Zafar?

   • A.Akbar II
   • B.Shah Alam II✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Jahandar Shah
   • D.Aurangzeb

   Explanation: Bahadur Shah Zafar's father was Akbar II.

10. Q10.Who was the mother of Bahadur Shah Zafar?

    • A.Lal Bai
    • B.Zeenat Mahal✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Jodha Bai
    • D.Mumtaz Mahal

    Explanation: Bahadur Shah Zafar was the son of Akbar II and his Hindu wife Lal Bai.

11. Q11.What was the pen name of Bahadur Shah II?

    • A.Zafar
    • B.Daagh✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Gul
    • D.Rangeela

    Explanation: Bahadur Shah II was a poet and wrote under the pen name 'Zafar'.

12. Q12.Who taught poetry to Bahadur Shah Zafar?

    • A.Mirza Ghalib and Ibrahim Jauq
    • B.Mir Taqi Mir✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Faiz Ahmed Faiz
    • D.Amir Khusro

    Explanation: Ibrahim Jauq and Mirza Ghalib were the poetry teachers of Bahadur Shah Zafar.

13. Q13.Who was the spiritual teacher of Bahadur Shah Zafar?

    • A.Hasan Askari
    • B.Nizamuddin Auliya✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Salim Chishti
    • D.Bakhtiyar Kaki

    Explanation: Hasan Askari was the spiritual teacher of Bahadur Shah Zafar.

14. Q14.How much pension did Bahadur Shah Zafar get per month from the East India Company?

    • A.Rs 1 Lakh
    • B.Rs 50,000✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Rs 2 Lakh
    • D.Rs 5 Lakh

    Explanation: Bahadur Shah Zafar received Rs 1 lakh per month as pension.

15. Q15.Who was called the "Emperor without Empire"?

    • A.Bahadur Shah Zafar
    • B.Shah Alam II✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Jahandar Shah
    • D.Muhammad Shah

    Explanation: Bahadur Shah Zafar was called the "Emperor without Empire" as his rule was limited to the Red Fort.

16. Q16.Who was the Governor-General when the title of 'Emperor' was abolished for the Mughals?

    • A.Lord Canning
    • B.Lord Dalhousie✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Lord Ellenborough
    • D.Lord Auckland

    Explanation: Lord Canning announced in 1856 that successors of Zafar would not be recognized as kings.

17. Q17.Which wife of Bahadur Shah Zafar played a role in the revolt of 1857?

    • A.Begum Zeenat Mahal
    • B.Begum Hazrat Mahal✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Jodha Bai
    • D.Nur Jahan

    Explanation: Begum Zeenat Mahal influenced court politics during 1857.

18. Q18.Who was the Commander-in-Chief of Bahadur Shah Zafar during the 1857 revolt?

    • A.Bakht Khan
    • B.Tatya Tope✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Nana Saheb
    • D.Kunwar Singh

    Explanation: General Bakht Khan from Bareilly became the Commander-in-Chief of the rebel forces in Delhi.

19. Q19.Who commanded the British forces that captured Delhi in September 1857?

    • A.John Nicholson
    • B.Hugh Rose✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Colin Campbell
    • D.Havelock

    Explanation: John Nicholson led the assault on Delhi and died during the capture.

20. Q20.Which Mughal prince was shot dead by Major Hodson at 'Khooni Darwaza'?

    • A.Mirza Mughal
    • B.Dara Shikoh✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Khusrau
    • D.Azam Shah

    Explanation: Major Hodson shot dead Mirza Mughal, Mirza Khizr Sultan, and Mirza Abu Bakr at Khooni Darwaza.