Monday, March 08, 2004

Shah 'alam Ii

Son of the emperor 'Alamgir II, he was forced to flee Delhi in 1758 by the minister 'Imad-ul-Mulk, who kept the emperor a virtual prisoner. He took refuge with Shuja'-ud-Dawlah, nawab of Oudh, and after his father's assassination in 1759 he proclaimed himself emperor. With the intention of seeking to