After leaving Delhi, whom did Abdali declared as the emperor?

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Hint: Consider the historical context of Abdali's invasion and the political situation in Delhi.

Correct Answer: A) Shah Alam II.

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, Civil Services, Bank PO, State PSC

Difficulty: Moderate

Explanations:

The historical context of the Mughal Empire in the 18th century is crucial to understanding the political dynamics and the impact of foreign invasions. The Mughal Empire, which had been in decline since the death of Aurangzeb in 1707, faced several invasions from foreign powers, including the Persian Nadir Shah in 1739 and Ahmad Shah Abdali in 1757.

Ahmad Shah Abdali, also known as Ahmad Shah Durrani, was the founder of the Durrani Empire in Afghanistan. He invaded India multiple times, with his most significant invasion occurring in 1757. During this invasion, Abdali captured Delhi and installed Shah Alam II as the Mughal emperor. Shah Alam II, who was the son of Alamgir II, was a figurehead emperor, as the real power was held by the Marathas and later the British.

Shah Alam II's installation as the emperor by Abdali was part of a broader political strategy to control the Mughal Empire and use it as a puppet state. This event marked a significant decline in the Mughal Empire's power and influence, as the empire was no longer able to defend itself against foreign invasions and internal conflicts.

Understanding the historical context of the Mughal Empire and the impact of foreign invasions is essential for comprehending the political and social changes that occurred during this period. The installation of Shah Alam II by Abdali is a key event in Indian history, reflecting the complex interplay of power and politics in the 18th century.

Option Analysis:

Option A: This is the correct answer. After Abdali's successful invasion of Delhi in 1757, he installed Shah Alam II as the Mughal emperor. Although Shah Alam II was the nominal emperor, the real power was held by the Marathas and later the British.
Option B: Al-Biruni was a Persian scholar and polymath who lived in the 11th century, long before the time of Abdali's invasion. He is known for his contributions to science and history, but he was not involved in the political succession of the Mughal Empire.
Option C: Nadir Shah was the Shah of Persia who invaded Delhi in 1739, long before Abdali's invasion. He is known for his looting of the Mughal treasury and the massacre of Delhi's inhabitants, but he did not install Shah Alam II as the emperor.
Option D: Todarmal was a revenue minister during the reign of Akbar in the 16th century. He is known for his land revenue system, but he lived long before the time of Abdali's invasion and had no connection to the installation of Shah Alam II as the emperor.

Mnemonic: A for Abdali, A for Alam

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