BAHADUR SHAH I  ., a

Mogul emperor of Hindustan, A.D . 1707-1712, the son and successor of Aurangzeb . At the time of the latter's death his eldest surviving son, Prince M.uazim, was governor of Kabul, and in his absence the next brother, Azam Shah, assumed the functions of royalty . Muazim came down from Kabul, and with characteristic magnanimity offered to share the empire with his brother . Azam would not accept the proposal and was defeated and slain on the plains of Agra . Muazim then ascended the throne under the title of Bahadur Shah . He was a man of 64 and died five years later . During his lifetime the empire was already falling to pieces before the inroads of the Sikhs and Mahrattas, and through internal dissensions .