Question map
Which one of the following statements about the Sayyid brothers during the period of Later Mughals is not true?
Explanation
The Sayyid brothers, Abdullah Khan and Hussain Ali, were known as 'King Makers' during the Later Mughal period [2]. However, they did not bring Jahandar Shah to power; instead, Jahandar Shah ascended the throne in 1712 with the support of the powerful noble Zulfiqar Khan [2]. The Sayyid brothers actually helped Farrukhsiyar defeat and kill Jahandar Shah in 1713 to seize power [4]. Regarding the other options, the brothers wielded significant administrative power, with Abdullah Khan serving as Wazir and Hussain Ali as Mir Bakshi [4]. They followed a policy of religious tolerance, believing that associating Hindu chiefs with the administration was necessary for stability, and thus abolished taxes like Jaziya [3]. Furthermore, they reached a significant agreement with the Maratha King Shahu, granting him Chauth and Sardeshmukhi of the Deccan provinces in exchange for military support [5].
Sources
- [2] Modern India ,Bipin Chandra, History class XII (NCERT 1982 ed.)[Old NCERT] > Chapter 1: The Decline of the Mughal Empire > The Decline of the Mughal Empire > p. 4
- [4] Modern India ,Bipin Chandra, History class XII (NCERT 1982 ed.)[Old NCERT] > Chapter 2: Indian States and Society in the 18th Century > MODERN INDIA > p. 30
- [3] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 10: Advent of Arabs and Turks > 10.5 Sayyid Dynasty (1414 - 1451) > p. 147
- [5] https://www.vec.ac.in/documents/History/Learning_Resources/Modern_India_Bipan_Chandra.pdf