Name: Brink of Revolt: Through the Eyes of People
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 5 min 34 s
Description: In the years leading up to the Rebellions of 1857, several first-hand accounts vividly describe the sentiments of the Indian people. Let’s explore them.

Question

Why did the rebels declare Bahadur Shah Zafar, who was very old and powerless, their leader?

Accepted Answer

The last Mughal ruler in India was Bahadur Shah Zafar II. No one was capable of leading the uprising at the moment.

Many of the rebels were worried about the future of their own kingdoms.

There was also no other Indian king left at the time the rebels approached him. Bahadur Shah Zafar's suzerainty was recognised by Peshwa and Birjis Qadr, the son of the deposed Nawab of Lucknow. Many Indian rulers and troops welcomed and declared Zafar the Emperor of India due to his secular attitude toward religion.

As a result, the rebels marched towards Delhi and declared Bahadur Shah Zafar as India's Emperor.

Why did the rebels declare Bahadur Shah Zafar, who was very old and powerless, their leader?

Important Questions on The Great Uprising

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