Rafi ud-Darajat

Rafi ud-Darajat was a Mughal emperor who reigned for a brief period in the early eighteenth century, from 1719 to 1720. His accession to the throne occurred during a time of extreme political instability and rapid succession within the Mughal Empire. A young and relatively inexperienced ruler, Rafi ud-Darajat’s reign was dominated by the influence of the powerful Sayyid brothers, who controlled the imperial court and exercised de facto authority over the empire. His short life and rule reflect the larger decline of Mughal power in the post-Aurangzeb era.

Background and Early Life

Rafi ud-Darajat was born in 1699 to Rafi-ush-Shan, the son of Bahadur Shah I, making him a grandson of the emperor. He belonged to the distinguished Timurid dynasty, which had ruled India since Babur’s conquest in 1526. Despite his royal lineage, Rafi ud-Darajat grew up in a period of deepening political fragmentation within the Mughal court.
After the death of Emperor Aurangzeb in 1707, the empire faced a prolonged struggle for succession among his sons and grandsons. The authority of the emperor weakened as regional governors, nobles, and military leaders sought to expand their own power. By the time Rafi ud-Darajat came of age, the once-glorious Mughal state was struggling to maintain its territorial integrity and administrative coherence.

Accession to the Throne

Rafi ud-Darajat ascended the Mughal throne in February 1719 following the deposition of Farrukhsiyar, who had been overthrown and killed by the Sayyid brothers—Abdullah Khan and Hussain Ali Khan—also known as the “Kingmakers.” The brothers had emerged as the most powerful figures in the Mughal court after successfully manipulating imperial politics and installing emperors who were loyal to them.
At the time of his accession, Rafi ud-Darajat was only about twenty years old. His enthronement was intended to secure the Sayyid brothers’ dominance while presenting a legitimate member of the royal family as emperor. The new ruler was crowned in Delhi with full imperial ceremony, adopting the regal title Abu’l Barakat Rafi ud-Darajat Badshah Ghazi.

Administration and Court Politics

Rafi ud-Darajat’s reign was largely nominal, as real power resided with the Sayyid brothers. Hussain Ali Khan, the younger of the two, served as Mir Bakshi (commander-in-chief), while Abdullah Khan held the post of Wazir (chief minister). They controlled military, administrative, and financial affairs, effectively reducing the emperor to a figurehead.
The brothers attempted to stabilise the empire by restoring order in the court, settling arrears of pay to soldiers, and curbing the influence of rival factions. However, their dominance bred resentment among other nobles, particularly among the Turani (Central Asian) and Irani (Persian) factions, who viewed the Sayyids’ control as a threat to their own prestige and power.
Although Rafi ud-Darajat held the imperial title, he had little role in governance. His frail health further limited his ability to assert authority. He remained largely under the supervision of the Sayyid brothers, who used his name to legitimise their political actions and alliances.

Challenges and Rebellion

During Rafi ud-Darajat’s reign, the Mughal Empire continued to face challenges on multiple fronts. Several regional revolts and internal conspiracies surfaced, driven by discontented nobles who sought to overthrow the Sayyid brothers’ regime. Among the most notable was the rebellion led by Nekusiyar, another Mughal prince and son of Prince Muhammad Akbar, who declared himself emperor in Agra.
The Sayyid brothers responded swiftly to this challenge, dispatching imperial forces to suppress the rebellion. Nekusiyar was captured and imprisoned, reaffirming the brothers’ authority for the time being. Despite this success, the empire remained fragile, with growing financial difficulties, military inefficiency, and the erosion of central control in the provinces.

Death and Succession

Rafi ud-Darajat’s reign lasted barely four months. He suffered from poor health, possibly aggravated by tuberculosis, and died on 6 June 1719 at the young age of twenty. Some accounts suggest that he may have been poisoned, though historical evidence for this remains uncertain.
Following his death, his younger brother Rafi ud-Daulah, who took the title Shah Jahan II, was placed on the throne by the Sayyid brothers. This rapid succession further reflected the instability of the Mughal court during this era, where emperors were installed and removed at the will of powerful nobles.
Rafi ud-Darajat was buried in Khokha, near the tomb of Humayun in Delhi, a resting place befitting a Mughal monarch, though his reign was one of the shortest in the dynasty’s history.

Historical Context and Significance

Rafi ud-Darajat’s brief reign occurred during one of the most turbulent phases of Mughal history. The empire, once a symbol of wealth and splendour, was in a state of political decline following Aurangzeb’s death. The authority of the emperor had become largely ceremonial, while regional powers such as the Marathas, Sikhs, and Nawabs of Bengal were asserting increasing independence.
His reign symbolised the rise of factionalism and the erosion of imperial legitimacy. The Sayyid brothers’ manipulation of the throne demonstrated how the office of the emperor had been reduced to a pawn in the larger struggle among courtly elites.
Although Rafi ud-Darajat himself left no major administrative or military achievements, his brief rule provides insight into the internal disintegration of the Mughal polity. His life and reign mark a transitional moment when imperial power in Delhi was overshadowed by the ambitions of powerful courtiers and provincial leaders.