Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation
Who succeeded Aurangzeb in 1707?
Solution & Analysis
Answer: A
Concept
The death of Aurangzeb in 1707 triggered the beginning of the end for the Mughal Empire. His eldest son emerged victorious from a brief civil war, but faced an empire already in decline.Explanation
Prince Muazzam, the eldest son of Aurangzeb, ascended the throne in 1707 as Bahadur Shah I (also known as Shah Alam I). He ruled until 1712 and was famously nicknamed Shah-i-Bekhabar (The Heedless King) due to his tendency to grant excessive titles and lands.Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Jahandar Shah and Muhammad Shah were later rulers in the 18th century, and Akbar II ruled in the early 19th century.
Logic 2: Bahadur Shah I attempted a policy of reconciliation with the Marathas and Rajputs to stabilize the fracturing empire.