Shah Jahan II (Persian pronunciation:[ʃɑːhd͡ʒa.ˈhɑːn]; June 1696 – 19 September 1719), born Mirza Rafi-ud-Daulah (Persian: میرزا رفیع الدوله), was briefly the twelfth Mughal emperor in 1719.
After being chosen by the Sayyid brothers, he succeeded figurehead emperor Rafi-ud-Darajat on 6 June 1719. Shah Jahan II also served as a figurehead to the Sayyid brothers[1] and would serve as emperor until his death of tuberculosis on 17 September 1719.[2]
Personal life
Shah Jahan II was born as Rafi ud-Daulah. He was the second son of Rafi-ush-Shan and a grandson of Bahadur Shah I.[3] Shah Jahan II's exact date of birth is not known but he is believed to have been eighteen months older than his brother Rafi ud-Darajat. Whether he married or not, whether he had any child or not is also unknown.[4]
Reign
Coin of Shah Jahan II
Shah Jahan II ascended the throne on 6 June 1719 after the death of his younger brother Rafi ud-Darajat due to tuberculosis. His coronation took place at Diwan-i-Khas of the Red Fort. He took the title Shah Jahan II.[3]
Just like his younger brother, Shah Jahan II was chosen by the kingmaker Sayyid brothers and wielded no power. [5]His name was read in the khutbah for the first time on 13 June. His first appearance at the Diwan-i-Am was on 11 June. Without the presence of one of the Sayyid brothers, he was not allowed to meet any noble or to attend the jummah.[3]
Death
Shah Jahan II suffered from tuberculosis just like his younger brother. He was physically and mentally unfit to perform the duties of a ruler. He died on 17 September 1719[6] at Bidyapur. He was buried beside Rafi ud-Darajat at the dargah of Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki at Mehrauli in Delhi.[7]
Muhammad Hadi Kamwar Khan claimed that Shah Jahan II was poisoned by the Sayyid brothers, but historian William Irvine disputed this, saying that the Shah's diarrhoea was due to opium withdrawal, that Kamwar Khan had much to be upset about since his prospects were ruined by Shah Jahan's death, and that the Sayyids had nothing to gain from his death.[8]
