In 1857, Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal emperor, faced a dilemma as Indian sepoys sought his leadership against the British. Torn between joining the rebellion and safeguarding his pension, he secretly communicated with British officers, willing to betray the revolt.

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• Bahadur Shah Zafar was 82, leading a diminished life in Delhi’s Red Fort under British support.
• On May 11, 1857, sepoys from Meerut stormed the Red Fort, asking him to lead the rebellion.
• Despite his loyalty to the British, Zafar agreed to assume the title of ‘Emperor of Hindustan’ under pressure.
• Secretly, he promised British officers access to the fort in exchange for his pension and protection.
• His primary concern was securing his monthly pension of one lakh rupees.
• Letters written by his physician, Ahsanullah Khan, detailed the revolt’s plans to British officials.
• Zafar’s wife and family members also supported his covert approach with the British.
• British troops, informed by Zafar, soon defeated the sepoys, leading to his capture.
• Zafar was exiled to Burma (Myanmar), where he died in 1862 as a prisoner, stripped of his pension.