Muhammad Farrukhseer Farrukhseer was still on the battle-field when he ascended the throne on January 1st, 1713. Jahandar Shah, the former emperor, was confined and then strangled, and his body was carried through the streets of the city. The empire did not prosper under Farrukhseer. He was weak and timid, destitue of morals and capacity, and lavished favors on low people.

Persecution of the Sikhs The Sikhs, in the meantime, became turbulant in the Punjab. The emperor sent a large army towards the Punjab. The Sikhs, blockaded and pressed by hunger and deprivation, surrendered at discretion. Two thousand of them were massacred and their leader, Banda, sent in chains to Delhi, with his associates, where they were all tortured and put to death. A royal edict was issued to put all who professed the religion of Nanak to the sword, and a money reward was offered for the head of every Sikh. The irritated Mahomedans gave them no quarter and wherever a Sikh was founded he was butchered unmercifully. In order to give full effect to the royal mandate, Mahomedans and Hindus were strictly enjoined to clip their hair short (Sikhs keep their hair long). Many who could not abandon their homes changed their external appearance, had their beard and moustaches clipped, and gave up on their outward form of worship.

Rafiuldarajat Suddenly it was announced to the citizens that Shamsuddin Rafiuldarajat, grandson of Bahadur Shah, had assumed the role of emperor. Farrukhseer was taken prisoner, and was flung into his solitary cell. A leathern thong, or the bowstring, was strained around his neck. He was executed with a dagger on May 16th, 1719, after a reign of six years. After three months of his accession, Shamsuddin Rafiuldarajat died of consumption.

Rafiuddoula Shah Jahan II On the death of Rafiuldarajat, his younger brother, Rafiuddoula ascended the throne. There was an insurrection at Agra where Neko Sere, younger son of Akber, assumed independence and proclaimed himself king. After a nominal reign of three montsh, Rafiuddoula died of mental disorder.

Nasiruddin Muhammad Shah In October 1719, Abul Fatah Nasiruddin Muhammad Shah ascended the throne. Husein Ali created a plot to assassinate the king, but the king had him murdered in October, 1720. The king also had Sayad Abdulla put to death because of distrust.

Pathan and Kashmir Revolts The Pathans of Kasur, south of Lahore, raised a standard of revolt under their leader Husein Khan, an Afghan, and took posession of some fertile districts about Kasur and Lahore. The king sent an army that crushed the revolt. In Kashmir, Mohtawi Khan deposed the imperial governer and proclaimed himself ruler of Kashmir. Eventually, he is defeated and slain, and the imperialists, after great bloodshed, are able to restore order in Kashmir.