The Sayyid Brothers dominated Mughal politics after Aurangzeb. Muhammad Shah overthrew them with support from nobles who opposed their growing power. In 1720, Husain Ali Khan was assassinated and Abdullah Khan was defeated. This ended their control and restored limited authority to the emperor, though the empire remained weak. ANSWER: (D) Muhammad Shah
Which Mughal emperor overthrew the Sayyid brothers? (A) Bahadur Shah (B) Shah Jahan II (C) Rafi-ud-Daula (D) Muhammad Shah
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After Aurangzeb’s death, the Sayyid Brothers—Husain Ali and Abdullah—became kingmakers, controlling the Mughal throne. Many nobles resented their influence. Muhammad Shah cooperated with these nobles to remove them. In 1720, Husain Ali Khan was assassinated at Fatehpur Sikri and Abdullah Khan was later defeated and imprisoned. This ended the Sayyid Brothers’ dominance and restored nominal independence to the emperor. However, Muhammad Shah’s rule still faced internal decline and rising regional powers. The overthrow of the Sayyid Brothers marked a political shift but did not revive the weakening Mughal Empire.