Editing Muhammad Shah

{{Short description|Mughal emperor from 1719 to 1748}}
{{About||the ruler of Persia |Mohammad Shah Qajar|the Afghan warlord and later Nawab of Sardhana|Jan-Fishan Khan|other similarly named persons and places|Muhammad Shah (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox royalty
| name         = Muhammad Shah
| title        = [[Padishah]]<br />[[Imperial and royal titles of the Mughal emperors|Al-Sultan Al-Azam]]<br> Rangeela
| image        = Nidha Mal Jharokha portrait of Muhammad Shah holding an emerald and the mouthpiece of a huqqa ca. 1730 The San Diego Museum of Art.jpg
| alt          = 
| caption      = Emperor Muhammad Shah holding an emerald and a mouthpiece of a [[hookah|huqqa]], by Nidha Mal, {{circa|1730}}
| succession   = [[Mughal Emperor]]
| reign        = 27 September 1719 – 26 April 1748
| coronation   = 29 September 1719
| predecessor  = [[Shah Jahan II]]<br>[[Muhammad Ibrahim (Mughal emperor)|Jahangir II]] ([[Titular ruler|titular]])
| reg-type1    = Wazirs
| regent1      = {{ubl|[[Syed Brothers|Abdullah Khan II]] (1719–1720)|[[Muhammad Amin Khan Turani]] (1720–1721)|[[Nizam-ul-Mulk, Asaf Jah I]] (1721–1724)|[[Itimad-ad-Daula, Qamar-ud-Din Khan|Itimad-ud-Daulah, Qamar-ud-Din Khan]] (1724–1748)
}}
| dynasty      = [[Timurid dynasty]]
| successor    = [[Ahmad Shah Bahadur]]
| birth_name   = Roshan Akhtar<ref name="Encyclopedia Britannica" />
| birth_date   = {{birth date|1702|08|07|df=yes}}
| birth_place  = [[Ghazni]], [[Kabul Subah]], [[Mughal Empire]]
| death_date   = {{death date and age|1748|04|26|1702|08|07|df=yes}}
| death_place  = [[Old Delhi|Delhi]], Mughal Empire
| spouse       = {{marriage|[[Badshah Begum]]<br/>|1721}}
| spouse-type  = Consort
| issue        = {{unbulletedlist|[[Ahmad Shah Bahadur]]|Taj Mahmud Mirza<ref name="malik">{{cite book|last1=Malik|first1=Zahir Uddin|title=The reign of Muhammad Shah, 1719–1748|date=1977|publisher=Asia Pub. House|location=London|isbn=9780210405987|page=407}}</ref>|Shaharyar Mirza<ref name="malik"/>|[[Hazrat Begum]]|}}
| full name    = Mirza Nasir-ud-Din Muḥammad Shah Bahadur Ghazi
| father       = [[Jahan Shah (Mughal prince)|Jahan Shah]]
| mother       = Fakhr-un-Nissa Begum<ref name="malik"/>
| signature    = Genealogical seal of Muhammad Shah, 1133 A.H. (circa September–October 1721 C.E.).png
| signature_type = Seal
| religion     = [[Sunni Islam]] {{small|([[Hanafi]])}}
| spouses      = {{plainlist|
*[[Sahiba Mahal]]
*[[Qudsia Begum]]
*Fatehpuri Mahal<ref name="malik"/>
*Roshanabadi Mahal<ref name="malik"/>
}}
| spouses-type = Wives
| regnal name  = Muhammad Shah
| house        = [[Mughal dynasty|House of Babur]]
| place of burial = Mausoleum of Muhammad Shah, [[Nizamuddin Dargah]], [[Delhi]], India
}}
{{Mughal}}

'''Mirza Nasir-ud-Din Muḥammad Shah''' (born '''Roshan Akhtar''';<ref name="Encyclopedia Britannica">{{cite web |title=Muhammad Shah |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Muhammad-Shah |access-date=18 September 2017 |website=Encyclopædia Britannica |language=en}}</ref> 7 August 1702 – 26 April 1748)<ref name="Encyclopedia Britannica" /> was the thirteenth [[Mughal emperors|Mughal emperor]] from 1719 to 1748.<ref name="sen2">{{Cite book |last=Sen |first=Sailendra |title=A Textbook of Medieval Indian History |publisher=Primus Books |year=2013 |isbn=978-9-38060-734-4 |pages=193}}</ref> He was son of [[Jahan Shah I|Khujista Akhtar]], the fourth son of [[Bahadur Shah I]]. After being chosen by the [[Sayyid brothers|Sayyid Brothers of Barha]], he ascended the throne at the young age of 16, under their strict supervision.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jVx6EAAAQBAJ&dq=rafi+ud+darajat+syed+brothers&pg=PA120 |title= The Wonder That Is Urdu| author= Krishna|page=121 |date= 2022 |publisher= Motilal Banarsidass|isbn= 9788120843011}}</ref> 

He later got rid of them with the help of [[Nizam-ul-Mulk, Asaf Jah I]] – [[Sayyid Hussain Ali Khan Barha|Syed Hussain Ali Khan]] was murdered at [[Fatehpur Sikri]] in 1720 and [[Sayyid Hassan Ali Khan Barha]] was captured in battle in 1720 and fatally poisoned in 1722.<ref name="Shaharyar_Begums_2000">{{cite book|title=The Begums of Bhopal|author=Shaharyar M. Khan|edition=illustrated|publisher=I.B.Tauris|year=2000|isbn=978-1-86064-528-0|page=18}}</ref> Muhammad Shah was a great patron of the arts, including musical, cultural and administrative developments, he is thus often referred to as '''Muhammad Shah Rangila''' ({{lit|Muhammad Shah "the colourful"}}).<ref name="sn"/> His pen-name was "Sadrang" and he is also sometimes referred to as "Bahadur Shah Rangila" after his grand father [[Bahadur Shah I]].

Muhammad Shah's reign was marked by rapid and irreversible decline of the Mughal Empire that was exacerbated by [[Nader Shah's invasion of India]] and the [[sack of Delhi|sacking of Delhi]] in 1739. The course of events not only shocked and mortified the Mughals themselves, but also other foreigners, including the [[East India Company|British]].

== Rebellious activities against Muhammad Shah ==
In 1719, Kolis of [[Mahi River]] were most rebellious against Mughal rule and plundering the villages, Mihir Ali Khan who was acting as Viceroy of Gujarat at the place of [[Ajit Singh of Marwar]], marched against Koli rebels of [[Mahi Kantha Agency|Mahi]] who were committing piracy against Muslims and subdued them.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ashburner |first=Bhagvánlál Indraji (1839-1888) John Whaley Watson (1838–1889) Jervoise Athelstane Baines (1847–1925) L. R. |title=History of Gujarát |url=https://www.gutenberg.org/files/54652/54652-h/54652-h.htm |access-date=2022-10-17 |website=www.gutenberg.org |language=en}}</ref>

In 1721, Kasim Ali Khan who was an officer in Mughal Empire under Muhammad Shah employed against the Kolis of Kheda district to collect the fine but they refused to pay and there was a battle in Pethapur between Kolis and Mughal army under Kasim Ali Khan. Kasim Ali Khan was killed by Kolis and Mughal army was defeated and retreat to base.* <ref>{{cite book |last=Campbell |first=James Macnabb |editor=[[James Macnabb Campbell]] |title=History of Gujarát |url=http://www.gutenberg.org/files/54652/54652-h/54652-h.htm |series=Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency |volume=I(II) |year=1896 |publisher=The Government Central Press |chapter=Chapter I. Early Musalmán Governors.(A.D. 1297–1403.) and II. ÁHMEDÁBÁD KINGS. (A. D. 1403–1573.) |page=303}}</ref>

In 1722, Muhammad Bahadur, son of Salabat Khan Babi, was placed in charge of Sadra and Virpur, with the title of Sher Khan. Shortly after his arrival the viceroy marched against and subdued the rebellious Kolis of the Chunval but was wounded deeply. After that Kolis of Modhera opposed the Muhammad Shah but Modhera village was burnt down.{{sfn|Campbell|1896|pp=304}}

In 1729, Mughal Viceroy of Sultan Muhammad Shah faced the challenge of anti-muslim activities of Kolis of Sorath, viceroy marches against Kolis of sorath and destroying them taken to Ahmednagar.{{sfn|Campbell|1896|pp=310}} after this, Jawan Mard Khan Babi who was Governor of Petlad ordered against rebellious Kolis of Balor, probably Bhátod about fifteen miles east of Bharuch, but Jawan Marad Khan was killed by a man of Koli tribe, and in revenge for his death the town of Balor was plundered. On the death of Jawán Mard Khan, at the request of Salabat Muhammad Khan Babi, his eldest son Kamal-ud-din Khan Babi received the districts of Sami and Munjpur and the title of Jawan Mard Khan.{{sfn|Campbell|1896|pp=310 - 311}}

In 1738, Sher Khan Babi was of Junagadh was appointed as governor of sorath, Babi was obliged to march against a Koli chieftain Kanji Chunvalia of Chhaniar in Chunval because Kanji opposed and resisted the mughal authority but Sher Khan Babi was bravely resisted by Kolis so Momin Khan was called with large force and Chhaniar was burned down by mughal army.{{sfn|Campbell|1896|pp=322 - 323}}

In 1739, Koli chieftain Jamaji of Thara, raised the Kolis of Kankrej against sultan and continually plundered the mughal territory. Jawan Marad Khan was ordered to march against the Koli chieftain but he was unable to maintain order so he requested the Fida-ud-din Khan to subdue the Kolis. After defeating the Koli chieftain, the Koli country was plundered by mughal troops.{{sfn|Campbell|1896|pp=323}}

In 1740, Kolis of Atarsumba, challenged the Mughal authority and refused to pay any form of tax to mughal sultan. Jawan marad khan along with his brother Zorawar Khan Babi Marched against Kolis of Atarsumba but they were strongly resisted and there was a battle but mughals defeated the Kolis and make them to pay tax. But it was not for long time, after some time, Kolis again refused to pay tax and mughal troops were sent under Abdul Hussain Khan and Vajeram burnt the three Koli villages.{{sfn|Campbell|1896|pp=323 - 324}}

In 1747, Rangoji a Maratha military leader returned to Áhmedábád, and Jawán Mard Khán had an interview with him a few miles from the city. Shortly after this the Kolis of Mehmudabad and Mahudha rebelled, but the revolt was speedily crushed by Sháhbáz Rohilla.{{sfn|Campbell|1896|pp=331}}

==Early reign==
=== Removing the Sayyid Brothers ===
{{See also|Sayyid brothers|Battle of Balapur}}[[File:Chitarman II, Emperor Muhammad Shah with Falcon Viewing his Garden at Sunset from a Palanquin ca 1730 Metmuseum.jpg|thumb|left|The Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah with his [[Falcon]] visits the imperial garden at sunset on a palanquin.]]

On 9 October 1720, Syed Hussain Ali Khan Barha, the commander and chief of the [[Army of the Mughal Empire|Mughal army]], was assassinated in his encampment in [[Todabhim]] and Muhammad Shah took direct command of the army. Asaf Jah I was then dispatched to gain complete control of six Mughal provinces in the [[Deccan Plateau|Deccan]], and [[Muhammad Amin Khan Turani]] was assigned as the [[Mansabdar]] of 8000. He was sent to pursue the Mughal Grand vizier Syed Hassan Ali Khan Barha, who was defeated at the battle of [[Hasanpur]] by Muhammad Amin Turani, [[Khan Dowran VII|Khan-i Dauran]], Sher Afkan Panipati, and Amin-ud-Din Sambhali. Hassan Khan Barha fought on the side opposing Khan-i-Dauran where the most danger was anticipated,<ref>{{cite book |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=ak5oFjTys8MC&dq=hasanpur+khan+dauran&pg=RA1-PA82 |title= Later Mughal |page= 82 |author= William Irvine |date= 1971 |publisher= Atlantic Publishers & Distri }}</ref>  was captured on 15 November 1720 and executed two years later. The fall of the Sayyid Brothers would mark the beginning of the end of the Mughal Empire's direct control over its dominions in the Deccan.

=== Loss of Deccan ''subahs'' ===
[[File:Emperor Muhammad Shah LACMA AC1997.127.1.jpg|thumb|The Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah and his family]]
On 21 February 1722, Muhammad Shah appointed the Asaf Jah I as Grand Vizier. He advised Muhammad Shah to be "as cautious as [[Akbar]] and as brave as [[Aurangzeb]]". Asaf Jah used his influence with the emperor to fulfil his territorial ambitions in the Deccan. He lost the emperor's confidence when he appointed Hamid Khan, a relative to [[Saadullah Khan (Mughal Empire)|Saadullah Khan]] and his maternal uncle, to administer Gujarat after having sending him on the pretext of restoring order to the province.<ref>{{cite book |author=Jaswant Lal Mehta |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d1wUgKKzawoC |title=Advanced Study in the History of Modern India 1707–1813 |date=2005 |publisher=New Dawn Press, Incorporated |isbn=9781932705546 |page=145}}</ref> Realising his loss of influence and trust from the emperor, Asaf Jah resigned as Grand Vizier and returned to the Deccan.<ref>{{cite book |author=Ronald Vivian Smith |title=The Delhi that No-one Knows |date=2005 |publisher=DC Publishers |page=60}}</ref>

Asaf Jah I appointed commander Ewaz Khan as the master of the garrison at [[Aurangabad, Maharashtra|Aurangabad]], and much of his logistical duties were carried out by Inayatullah Kashmiri.<ref name="google2">{{cite book |author=Mehta, J.L. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d1wUgKKzawoC |title=Advanced Study in the History of Modern India 1707–1813 |publisher=New Dawn Press, Incorporated |year=2005 |isbn=9781932705546}}</ref> In 1723 he set out on an expedition to the Deccan, where he fought [[Mubariz Khan]], the Mughal [[Subahdar]] of the Deccan, who had kept the ravaging [[Maratha Empire]] at bay. Mubariz Khan was a former ally of the Barha Sayyids, who was appointed by Muhammad Shah to kill Asaf Jah I.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bkRxDwAAQBAJ&dq=muhammad+shah+appointed+mubariz+khan&pg=PA6 |title=A New Look at Modern Indian History (From 1707 to The Modern Times), 32e |date=2018 |publisher=S Chand Limited |isbn=9789352534340 |page=6}}</ref> Taking advantage of Mubariz Khan's conventional weaknesses, Asaf Jah I defeated and eliminated his opponent during the [[Battle of Shakar Kheda]]. Asaf Jah I then established the [[Hyderabad State]] and appointed himself the [[Nizam of Hyderabad]] in 1725. 

The Mughal-Maratha Wars (1728–1763)<ref>{{cite book |author=Tony Jaques |title=Dictionary of Battles and Sieges: A–E |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |year=2007 |isbn=978-0313335372 |series=Dictionary of Battles and Sieges: A Guide to 8,500 Battles from Antiquity Through the Twenty-first Century |volume=1 |page=xxxix}}</ref> would cause irreparable devastation to six Deccan ''[[Subah|subahs]]''–[[Khandesh]], [[Bijapur]], [[Berar Subah|Berar]], [[Aurangabad]], [[Hyderabad Subah|Hyderabad]] and [[Bidar]]. Asaf Jah would the Marathas to invade [[Malwa Subah|Malwa]] and the northern territories of the Mughal empire to protect his newfound independence.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=p5VYH7FhoTsC&q=It+is+necessary+to+take+our+hands+off+Malwa.+God+willing,+I+will+enter+into+an+understanding+with+them |title=Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Poona: Volumes 51–53 |date=1970 |publisher=Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute |page=94 |quote=The Mughal court was hostile to Nizam-ul-Mulk. If it had the power, it would have crushed him. To save himself from the hostile intentions of the Emperor, the Nizam did not interfere with the Maratha activities in Malwa and Gujarat. As revealed in the anecdotes narrated b Lala Mansaram, the Nizam-ul-Mulk considered the Maratha army operating in Malwa and Gujarat as his own}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1BY9AAAAIAAJ&dq=Finally+,+in+the+following+year+,+the+nizam+entered+into+a+secret+agreement+with+the+peshwa+by+which+he+offered+to&pg=PA549 |title=The New Cambridge Modern History |date=1957 |publisher=University Press |page=549}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Shripid Rama Sharma |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h6Y9AAAAMAAJ&q=connived |title=Mughal Empire in India, 1526–1761: Volume 3 |date=1934 |publisher=Karnatak Printing Press}}</ref> The Nizam described the [[Maratha Army|Maratha army]] to be an instrument to be wielded to his own advantage in the ''Maasir-i Nizami'':<ref>{{cite book |author=Richard M. Eaton |title=Expanding Frontiers in South Asian and World History Essays in Honour of John F. Richards |date=2013 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |page=21}}</ref><blockquote>
"I consider all this army (Marathas) as my own and I will get my work done through them. It is necessary to take our hands off Malwa. God willing, I will enter into an understanding with them and entrust the ''Mulukgiri'' (raiding) on that side of the [[Narmada River|Narmada]] to them."
</blockquote>The ears of the Muhammed Shah were possessed by the Amir-ul-Umara, Khan-i Dauran.<ref>{{cite book |author=William Irvine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ak5oFjTys8MC&dq=khan+dauran+ears+muhammad+shah&pg=RA1-PA336 |title=Later Mughals |date=1971 |publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Distri |page=336}}</ref> Muhammad Shah appointed [[Itimad-ad-Daula, Qamar-ud-Din Khan|Qamar-ud-Din Khan]] as Grand Wazir to succeed Asaf Jah. However, he was quickly dismissed in favour of [[Roshan-ud-Daulah|Roshan-ud-Daulah Turrah Baz Khan]], a native of Panipat,<ref>{{cite book |author=V D. Mahajan  |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vDscEAAAQBAJ&dq=raushan+daulah+panipati&pg=PA13 |title=Modern Indian History |date=2020 |publisher=Publisher: S Chand & Company Limited |isbn=9789352836192 |page=13}}</ref> who was appointed the Grand Wazir, in order to reduce the influence of the Turani family.<ref>{{cite book |author=Jagadish Narayan Sarkar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dohDAAAAYAAJ&q=nizam+nephew+qamaruddin |title=A Study of Eighteenth Century India: Political history, 1707–1761 |date=1976 |publisher=the University of Virginia |page=31}}</ref> 

Despite the loss of the Deccan ''subahs'' in 1724, the [[Nawab of Awadh]] [[Saadat Ali Khan I|Saadat Ali Khan]] and the Mughal ''subahdar'' Dilawar Khan (r. 1726–1756) remained loyal to the emperor and established a well-protected bastion on the [[Malabar Coast]].

===Cultural developments===
[[File:Zaban urdu mualla.png|thumb|The phrase {{transliteration|ur|''Zuban-i Urdū-yi Muʿallá''}} (literally "Language of the exalted [[Golden Horde|Horde]]", contextually the exalted Urdu Language) written in [[Nastaʿlīq script]]]]
[[File:Lashkari Zaban calligraphy prepared.png|thumb|250px|''Lashkari Zabān'' ("military camp language" or "[[Battalion|Battalionese language]]") title in Nastaʿlīq script]]
[[File:Sketch from the book Aasar us Sanadeed, depicting Bagh e Naazir as it appeared in mid-19th century.jpg|thumb|[[Baagh e Naazir]] was built by Muhammad Shah the year 1748.]]

While [[Urdu]] (derived from ''Zuban-i Urdū-yi Muʿallá'' or in local translation ''[[Lashkari language|Lashkari Zaban]]'', shortened to ''Lashkari'') was already in use before Muhammad Shah's reign, it was during his reign that it became more popular among the people and he declared it as the court language, replacing Persian. During Muhammad Shah's reign, [[Qawwali]] was reintroduced into the Mughal imperial court and it quickly spread throughout [[South Asia]]. Muhammad Shah is also known to have introduced religious institutions for education such as [[Maktab (education)|Maktab]]s. During his reign, the [[Quran]] was translated for the first time into simple [[Persian language|Persian]] and [[Urdu]]. Also, during his reign, the formal Turkic dress, normally worn by the high Mughal nobility since Mughals originally hailed from [[Samarqand]], was replaced by the [[Sherwani]]. However, Muhammad Shah's adoption of the Deccan-influenced dress to court would lead to derisive comments, such as "''See how the Deccan monkey dances!''"<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SHgtAAAAMAAJ&q=mahratta |title=Notes on Punjab and Mughal India: Selections from Journal of the Punjab Historical Society |date=1988 |publisher=Sang-e-Meel Publications |page=381}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Ishwari Prasad |title=A New History of India |date=1940 |publisher=Indian Press, Limited |page=334}}</ref>

Mohammad Shah was a patron of the performing arts, almost at the cost of administrative priorities, paving the way for the disintegration of governance. While Mughal political power did decline in his reign, the Emperor encouraged the arts, employing master artists such as Nidha Mal (active 1735–75) and Chitarman, whose vivacious paintings depict scenes of court life, such as [[Holi]] celebrations, hunting and hawking.<ref>[http://sites.asiasociety.org/princesandpainters/decline-of-power-pursuit-of-pleasure-muhammad-shah-1719-1748/ Princes and Painters in Mughal Delhi, 1707–1857], Asia Society exhibition</ref> The Mughal court of the time had musicians such as Naimat Khan, also known as [[Sadarang]], and his nephew Firoz Khan (Adarang), whose compositions popularised the musical form of [[khyal]]. Naimat Khan composed khyal for his disciples and he never performed khyal.<ref name="Misra1991">{{cite book |author=Susheela Misra |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=utw9AAAAMAAJ&q=sadarang+never+performed+khyal |title=Musical Heritage of Lucknow |publisher=Harman Publishing House |year=1991}}</ref> This key component of [[Indian classical music]] evolved, ascended and received princely patronage at the court of Muhammad Shah.<ref>[[iarchive:lifeofmusicinnor00neum|<!-- quote=inauthor:"Daniel M. Neuman". --> The life of music in north India: the organization of an artistic tradition]], Daniel M. Neuman</ref>

He himself was a poet under the penname "Sadrang" and was also a composer of [[Indian classical music|Indian classical]] [[raga]] songs in the [[Bhairav (raga)|bhairav]], [[Kafi (raga)|kafi]], [[Dhamar (music)|dhamar]] and [[malkauns]] genres. These included songs on the themes of love and the festival of [[Holi]].<ref name="sn">[https://sufinama.org/poets/muhammad-shah-rangila/profile Muhammad Shah Rangila]. ''[[Sufinama]]''.</ref>

===Scientific developments===
During the reign of Muhammad Shah, a significant scientific work known as the [[Zij-i Muhammad Shahi]] was completed by [[Jai Singh II of Amber]] between the year 1727 and 1735; it consisted of 400 pages.<ref>{{cite book |last=Pollock |first=Sheldon |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=740AqMUW8WQC&q=zij-i-muhammad+shahi&pg=PA278 |title=Forms of Knowledge in Early Modern Asia: Explorations in the Intellectual History of India and Tibet, 1500–1800 |date= 2011 |publisher=Duke University Press |isbn=978-0822349044 |via=Google Books}}</ref>

=== Bengal and Sikhs raids ===
[[File:Silver Rupee of Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah, struck in Muhammadabad Benaras Mint.jpg|thumb|Silver Rupee issued by Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah for the Bengal Subah, struck in Muhammadabad Benaras Mint.]]
Muhammad Ali Khan the [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] [[Faujdar]] of [[Rangpur, Bangladesh|Rangpur]] and his stern ally Deena Narayan were ambushed out of [[Cooch Behar State|Koch Bihar]] by Upendra Narayan a [[Hindu]] [[Bihari people|Bihari]] and Mipham Wangpo (r. 1729–1736) the [[Druk Desi|ruler]] of [[Bhutan]]. [[Ali Mohammed Khan]] had established the barons of [[Rohilkhand|Rohilakhand]]. In the [[Subah of Lahore|Punjab region]], the [[Misl|Sikhs]] were at war with local [[Mughals|Mughal]] [[Subahdar|''subahdars'']], devastating them with their hit-and-run tactics.

=== Loss of Gujarat and Malwa ''subahs'' ===
{{Main article|Bajirao I#March to Delhi (1737)|Battle of Bhopal}}

After decisively defeating Asaf Jah in February 1728 at the [[Battle of Palkhed]], [[Bajirao I]] and his brother [[Chimaji Appa]] re-invaded Malwa. The Mughal ''subahdar'' Giridhar Bahadur was defeated and killed at the battle of Amjhera in November 1729.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Singh |first=Raghubir |date=1947 |title=Fresh Light on the Battle of Amjhera: November 29, 1729 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44137163 |journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress |volume=10 |pages=375–386 |jstor=44137163 |issn=2249-1937}}</ref> Chimnaji Appa then unsuccessfully attempted to besiege the remnants of the Mughal army at Ujjain.<ref name="books.google.com.pk">{{cite book |author=Jaques, T. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3amnMPTPP5MC |title=Dictionary of Battles and Sieges: A–E |publisher=Greenwood Press |year=2007 |isbn=9780313335372}}</ref> [[File:Elephants pushing cannons drawn by bullocks.jpg|thumb|[[Elephant]]s pushing [[Mughal artillery]] [[cannon]]s drawn also by bullocks.<ref>{{cite web |title=Elephants pushing cannons drawn by bullocks, Kota |url=http://warfare.uphero.com/Moghul/18thC/Elephants_pushing_cannons_drawn_by_bullocks_Kota-mid-18thC.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223222411/http://warfare.uphero.com/Moghul/18thC/Elephants_pushing_cannons_drawn_by_bullocks_Kota-mid-18thC.htm |archive-date=23 December 2014 |access-date=24 September 2014}}</ref>]]In 1731, Asaf Jah managed to secure the defections of influential Maratha leaders, such as [[Trimbak Rao Dabhade]] and Sanbhoji who threatened to abandon the Marathas and join the forces with the emperor Muhammad Shah. However, the defectors were overrun and killed by a large Maratha force led by Bajirao I and Chimnaji Appa during [[Battle of Dabhoi]].<ref name="books.google.com.pk" /> Bajirao I then attacked [[Gujarat Subah|Gujarat]] with his full force and drove out Sarbuland Khan by 1735.[[File:Mahout on an elephant; gouache on paper.jpg|thumb|left|An elephant and its mahout in service of the Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah.]]

Bajirao I defeated a well-trained Mughal army led by Amir Khan Bahadur at Rikabganj. He did not proceed with his victory although he could have taken the city unopposed.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Srinivasan |first=C. K. |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Baji_Rao_I_the_Great_Peshwa/Z0E_AAAAMAAJ?hl=en |title=Baji Rao I, the Great Peshwa |date=1961 |publisher=Asia Publishing House |pages=104 |language=en}}</ref> He withdrew after receiving intelligence of the advancing forces of Wazir [[Itimad-ad-Daula, Qamar-ud-Din Khan|Qamar-ud-Din Khan]]. Bajirao with his army retreated to the southeast at [[Badshahpur]], where he corresponded with the emperor Muhammad Shah, who ratified peace by agreeing the handover of [[Malwa]] to the [[Maratha Empire|Marathas]].<ref name="books.google.com.pk" />

== Invasion of Nader Shah ==
{{See main|Nader Shah's invasion of India}}
=== Invasion of Mughal empire ===
In May 1738, Nader Shah attacked northern Afghanistan and captured [[Ghazni]]. He captured Kabul in June and [[Jalalabad]] in September. By November, he had [[Battle of Khyber Pass (1738)|crossed]] the [[Khyber Pass]] and besieged and razed the [[Bala Hissar, Peshawar|fortress]] of [[Peshawar]]. In January 1739, he captured [[Lahore]], after completely subduing the forces of the Mughal viceroy, [[Zakariya Khan Bahadur]] and his 25,000 [[Sowar|''sowars'']],<ref name="google5">{{cite book |author=Chhabra, G.S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UkDi6rVbckoC |title=Advance Study in the History of Modern India (Volume 1: 1707–1803) |publisher=Lotus Press |year=2005 |isbn=9788189093068}}</ref> by the [[Chenab]] river. The Afsharid forces soon encountered bands of [[Misl|Sikh rebels]] whom Nader Shah predicted would clearly benefit after his invasion.<ref name="google5" /> The Afsharids would capture [[Subah of Lahore|territory]] all the way up to [[Attock]], forcing Muhammad Shah and his court to realise that the Persian emperor would not be satisfied with the loot of a province. The cities of [[Wazirabad]], [[Eminabad]] and [[Gujrat city|Gujrat]] were not only sacked but razed to the ground. Near [[Larkana]], the Afsharids completely routed the Mughal army of the [[Kalhora dynasty|Nawab of Sindh]], [[Main Noor Mohammad Kalhoro]], and later captured him and his two sons. [[Sirhind-Fategarh|Sirhind]] was then captured by the Persians in February 1739, opening the route towards the Mughal capital of Delhi. 

=== Battle of Karnal ===
{{See main|Battle of Karnal}}[[File:Jahangusha-ye Naderi 12.jpg|thumb|300px|left|Muhammad Shah with the Persian invader [[Nader Shah]], art from Nader's court historian [[Mirza Mehdi Khan Astarabadi]], who was a firsthand witness of the encounter]]
[[File:Jahangusha-ye Naderi 11.jpg|thumb|300px|left|Muhammad Shah with an Afsharid prince, art from Nader's court historian [[Mirza Mehdi Khan Astarabadi]], who was a firsthand witness of the encounter]]

Rao Bal Kishan of [[Rewari]], with his army of 5,000 infantry and 2,000 cavalry and with the forces of Delhi, attempted a desperate defence of the city but was killed in battle and has been immortalized the name "''Vijay'' or "''Veergati''". Nadir Shah remarked to emperor Muhammad Shah that "if your combined forces helped Rao Balkrishna of [[Rewari]], then I might not able to enter in Delhi. I had never seen any warrior like him brave, Fierce and strong. Muhammed Shah commissioned a royal ''[[chhatri]]'' to pay tribute to Rao Bal Kishan.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}}<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CAXULggU0QMC |title=Realm and Region in Traditional India |publisher=Duke University, Program in Comparative Studies on Southern Asia |year=1977 |isbn=9780916994129}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yNBSEAAAQBAJ&dq=rao+balkishan&pg=PA30 |title=Haryana Digdarshan |date=21 February 2021 |publisher=Arihant Publications India limited |isbn=9789325294486}}</ref>

After entering Delhi, [[Nader Shah]] claimed to invasion and occupation of the [[Mughal Empire]] was borne out of religious devotion and that if ''"the wretched Marathas of the Deccan"'' moved towards Delhi, he might ''"send an army of victorious [[Qizilbash]] to drive them to the abyss of Hell."''<ref name="columbia">{{cite web |author=Frances Pritchett |title=part2_19 |url=http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00islamlinks/ikram/part2_19.html#n02 |access-date=17 January 2014 |publisher=columbia.edu}}</ref><ref>Muhammad Latif, The History of the Panjab (Calcutta, 1891), p. 200.</ref>
[[File:Rao Balkishan Chattri.jpg|thumb|Rao Bal Kishan Chhatri at Karnal]]

=== Sack of Delhi ===
[[File:THE FIRST SIGHT THAT MET HIS GAZE WAS THE BODIES OF HIS MURDERED COUNTRYMEN..gif|thumb|[[Nader Shah]] finds his troops had been killed in rioting. From {{cite book |last=Surridge|first=Victor |date=1909 |title=Romance of Empire: India}}]]

[[File:1740 Seutter Map of India, Pakistan, Tibet and Afghanistan - Geographicus - IndiaMogolis-seutter-1740.jpg|thumb|Provinces of the Mughal Empire in the year 1740]]

The occupation of Delhi was initially cordial, however, rumours spread throughout the city that Nader Shah was assassinated. The masses attacked the Persian force and killed some soldiers. Nader Shah became furious, ordered to massacre the populace, and leaving at least 30,000 dead. Muhammad Shah and [[Asaf Jah I]] had to beg Nader Shah for mercy and thus he stopped the massacre and turned to looting the Mughal treasury.<ref>{{cite book |author1=Jagmohan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QsDSGn8jLPAC&q=begged+nadir+shah+for+mercy&pg=PA298 |title=Soul and Structure of Governance in India |year=2005 | publisher=Allied Publishers |isbn=9788177648317 |access-date=26 May 2014}}</ref> The famous [[Peacock Throne]], the [[Daria-i-Noor]] and [[Koh-i-Noor]] diamonds and unimaginable wealth was looted. In addition, elephants, horses and everything that was liked was taken. Muhammad Shah also had to hand over his daughter Jahan Afruz Banu Begum as a bride for Nader Shah's youngest son. [[Asaf Jah I]] retired to Deccan after installing his eldest son [[Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung II|Intizam-ud-Daula]] as a major commander in the [[Mughal Army]].<ref>{{cite book |author=H. G. Keene |title=Moghul Empire |publisher=Allen &co Waterloo Place Pall Mall |year=1866 |author-link=Henry George Keene (1826–1915)}} [http://www.new1.dli.ernet.in/scripts/FullindexDefault.htm?path1=/data2/upload/0055/654&first=1&last=302&barcode=4990010201502 Digital Library of India] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721192051/http://www.new1.dli.ernet.in/scripts/FullindexDefault.htm?path1=%2Fdata2%2Fupload%2F0055%2F654&first=1&last=302&barcode=4990010201502|date=21 July 2013}} Accessed 7 January 2012</ref>

== Later Maratha wars ==
In the year 1740, [[Dost Ali Khan]] to [[Carnatic Sultanate|Nawab of the Carnatic]] and [[Chanda Sahib]] faced the task of expelling the Marathas under [[Raghoji I of Nagpur|Raghoji I Bhonsle]], authorised by Chhatrapati [[Shahu I]]. Dost Ali Khan was killed on 20 May 1740 at the [[Raghoji I of Nagpur|Battle of Damalcherry]] in defence of [[Arcot, Tamil Nadu|Arcot]], which was eventually looted and plundered. Chanda Sahib along with his garrison was captured and imprisoned in [[Satara (city)|Satara]]. [[Chanda Sahib]] and his forces ferociously defended their rightful reams during the [[Siege of Trichinopoly (1741)|Siege of Trichinopoly]] and almost all the territories of the Nawab of the Carnatic despite being outnumbered substantially by the Marathas, their daunting efforts soon attracted the attention of the [[French Indies Company|French East India Company]] official [[Joseph François Dupleix]].<ref name="google4">{{cite book |author=Jaques, T. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tW_eEVbVxpEC |title=Dictionary of Battles and Sieges: P–Z |publisher=Greenwood Press |year=2007 |isbn=9780313335396}}</ref> 

Dissatisfied by the Maratha occupation of the territories of the [[Carnatic Sultanate|Nawab of the Carnatic]], [[Asaf Jah I]] led an expedition to liberate the region. He was joined by [[Muhammed Saadatullah Khan II|Sadatullah Khan II]] and [[Anwaruddin Muhammed Khan]] together they recaptured [[Arcot]] and initiated the [[Siege of Trichinopoly (1743)]], which lasted five months and forced the Marathas led by [[Murari Rao Ghorpade]] to evacuate the Carnatic.<ref name="google4" />

In the year 1747, the Marathas led by Raghoji I Bhonsle, began to raid, pillage and annex the territories of the [[Nawabs of Bengal|Nawab of Bengal]] Alivardi Khan. During the Maratha invasion of [[Orissa, India|Orissa]], its ''[[subahdar]]'' [[Mir Jafar]] completely withdrew all forces until the arrival of [[Alivardi Khan]] and the [[Mughal Army]] at the Battle of Burdwan where Raghoji I Bhonsle and his Maratha forces were completely routed. The enraged Nawab of Bengal Alivardi Khan then dismissed the shamed Mir Jafar. However, due to four years of continuous wars, emperor Muhammad Shah was forced to cede [[Orissa, India|Orissa]] to the Marathas.<ref name="books.google.com.pk" />

==Foreign relations==
Following Nader Shah's invasion, the Ottoman Empire exploited the void that was created at their eastern borders as almost all Persian forces were deployed to India. During that period, emperor Muhammad Shah tried to recover all territory until being attacked by the [[Durrani Empire]] at [[Battle of Manupur (1748)|Battle of Manupur]].<ref name="Mughal-Ottoman relations Muhammed Shah">{{cite book |last=Farooqi |first=Naimur Rahman |title=Mughal-Ottoman relations: a study of political & diplomatic relations between Mughal Empire and the Ottoman Empire, 1556–1748 |publisher=Idarah-i Adabiyat-i Delli |year=1989 |asin=B0006ETWB8}}. See [https://books.google.com/books?id=uB1uAAAAMAAJ&q=Muhammad+Shah Google Books search].</ref>

==Marriages==
Emperor Muhammad Shah had four wives. His first wife and chief consort was his first-cousin, Princess [[Badshah Begum]], the daughter of Emperor [[Farrukhsiyar]] and his first wife, Gauhar-un-Nissa Begum.<ref name="Sarkar97">{{cite book|last1=Sarkar|first1=Jadunath|title=Fall of the Mughal Empire.|date=1997|publisher=Orient Longman|location=Hyderabad|isbn=9788125011491|page=169|edition=4th}}</ref> They married after his accession, on 8 December 1721, at Delhi,<ref>{{cite book|last1=Awrangābādī|first1=Shāhnavāz Khān|last2=Prashad|first2=Baini|last3=Shāhnavāz|first3=ʻAbd al-Ḥayy ibn|title=The Maāthir-ul-umarā: being biographies of the Muḥammadan and Hindu officers of the Timurid sovereigns of India from 1500 to about 1780 A.D.|date=1979|publisher=Janaki Prakashan|page=652|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xfG1AAAAIAAJ&q=muhmmad+shah+8+december+1721|language=en}}</ref> and he gave her the title ''Malika-uz-Zamani'' (Queen of the Age)<ref name="malik"/> by which she was popularly known. They had a son, Shahriyar Shah Bahadur, who died young in 1726.<ref name="malik"/>  She died on 14 December 1789. 

Muhammad Shah took a second wife, [[Sahiba Mahal]], and had a daughter [[Hazrat Begum]], who was married to [[Ahmad Shah Durrani]] in 1757.<ref name="google6">{{cite book |author1=Hoiberg, D. |url=https://archive.org/details/studentsbritanni03hoib |title=Students' Britannica India |author2=Ramchandani, I. |publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica (India) |year=2000 |isbn=9780852297605 |url-access=registration |issue=v. 1-5}}</ref>

His third wife was a dancing girl, [[Qudsia Begum, Begum of Bhopal]], who bore him his successor, [[Ahmad Shah Bahadur]] on 23 December 1725. Upon his birth, he was taken from her and was lovingly brought up by Badshah Begum, who considered him her own son. It was through Badshah Begum's efforts that Ahmad Shah was able to ascend the throne upon Muhammad Shah's death in 1748.<ref name="Latif">{{cite book|last=Latif|first=Bilkees I.|title=Forgotten|year=2010|publisher=Penguin Books|isbn=9780143064541|page=49}}</ref>

==Death==
[[File:Muhammad Shah Rangeela Grave Delhi 3.jpg|left|thumb|Tomb of Muhammad Shah, in the courtyard of the Nizamuddin Dargah.]]
The victory of the [[Mughal Army]] during the [[Battle of Manupur (1748)]] came with a heavy price as many fell in battle. Initially this was kept a secret. However, when the news reached the Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah, he could not speak, suddenly became sick, and did not come out of his apartments for three days. During this period he fasted. His guards could hear him crying out loud and saying: ''"How could I bring about anyone as faithful as he? ([[Itimad-ad-Daula, Qamar-ud-Din Khan|Qamaruddin Khan]])"''. He died due to grief on 26 April 1748, his funeral was attended by visiting [[Imam]]s from [[Mecca]].<ref>name="Mughal-Ottoman relations Sharif of Mecca"</ref><ref name="google7">{{cite book|title=Mughal-Ottoman relations: a study of political & diplomatic relations between Mughal India and the Ottoman Empire, 1556-1748|author=Farooqi, N.R.|year=1989|publisher=Idarah-i Adabiyat-i Delli|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uB1uAAAAMAAJ}}</ref> Muhammad Shah's tomb is located in an enclosure within the [[Nizamuddin Dargah]] complex.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Dadlani |first=Chanchal B. |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1024165136 |title=From stone to paper : architecture as history in the late Mughal Empire |year=2018 |isbn=978-0-300-23317-9 |location=New Haven [CT] |pages=67–68 |oclc=1024165136}}</ref>

==In popular culture==
* In the 2010 historical TV series ''[[Maharaja Ranjit Singh (TV series)|Maharaja Ranjit Singh]]'' telecasted on [[DD National]], the character of Muhammad Shah is portrayed by Rishikesh Sharma.

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Silver rupee of Muhammad Shah.jpg|A silver coin minted during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah.
File:Bombay Presidency rupee.jpg|A silver coin minted during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah from [[Bombay]].
File:Jaipur. temp. Isvari Singh AR Rupee (21mm, 11.32 g, 10h) In the name of the Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah. Sawau Jaipur mint. Dually dated AH 1157 and RY 27 of Muhammad Shah (AD 1744-5).jpg|Coinage of Jaipur from the time of [[Ishvari Singh]], in the name of Muhammad Shah. Sawau Jaipur mint, dated 1744–45 CE.
File:French issued rupee in the name of Mohammed Sha 1719 1758 for Northern India trade cast in Pondicherry.jpg|French-issued [[rupee]] in the name of Muhammad Shah (1719–1748) for Northern India trade, cast in Pondichéry.
File:Koh-i-Noor new version copy.jpg|[[Koh-i-Noor]]
File:Darya-e Noor Diamond of Iran.png|Darya-e-Noor
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Battle of Karnal]]
*[[Koh-i-Noor]]
*[[Peacock Throne]]
*[[Battles involving the Mughal Empire]]
*[[Ahirwal]]
*[[Rewari]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*{{Commons category-inline|Muhammad Shah}}
*{{Wikiquote-inline}}
*[https://sufinama.org/poets/muhammad-shah-rangila/ Poetry of Muhammad Shah Rangila] at ''[[Sufinama.org]]''
*{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yNBSEAAAQBAJ&dq=rao+balkishan&pg=PA30| isbn=9789325294486 | title=Haryana Digdarshan | year= 2021 | publisher=Arihant Publications India limited }}

{{s-start}}
{{succession box|title=[[List of Mughal emperors|Mughal Emperor]]|before=[[Shah Jahan II]]|after=[[Ahmad Shah Bahadur]]|years=1719–1748}}
{{s-end}}

{{Mughal Empire}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1702 births]]
[[Category:1748 deaths]]
[[Category:Emperors of the Mughal Empire]]
[[Category:People from Fatehpur, Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:18th-century Indian writers]]
[[Category:Timurid monarchs]]
[[Category:Indian monarchs]]
[[Category:Hindustani-language writers]]
[[Category:Urdu-language poets from India]]
[[Category:Urdu-language writers from the Mughal Empire]]
[[Category:Indian classical musicians]]
[[Category:Indian classical composers]]
[[Category:18th-century Mughal Empire people]]