40th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 1995

Mughal Decline and Foreign Invasions

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Who was the last Mughal Emperor to sit on Mayur Singhasan?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: B

Concept The Peacock Throne (Mayur Singhasan) was the most legendary symbol of Mughal wealth. Its removal from India by a foreign invader marked the symbolic end of Mughal supremacy.

Explanation Muhammad Shah (1719–1748) was the last Mughal Emperor to sit on the Peacock Throne. In 1739, the Iranian ruler Nadir Shah invaded India, defeated Muhammad Shah at the Battle of Karnal, and looted Delhi, carrying the throne back to Persia.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: The throne was commissioned by Shah Jahan in the early 17th century and served as the seat of the 'Great Mughals' for over a hundred years.
Logic 2: Nadir Shah also took the Kohinoor diamond, ensuring that the visual icons of Mughal power were lost forever to the dynasty.

Active Recall

Question

Where was the Peacock Throne originally located?

Answer

It was kept in the Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience) inside the Red Fort of Delhi.

Core Insight

The loss of the Peacock Throne under Muhammad Shah was the ultimate psychological blow that proved the Mughal Emperor was no longer protected by his own majesty.