Bahadur Shah II, popularly known as Bahadur Shah Zafar, was the final ruler of the Mughal dynasty. His authority was symbolic, limited to the Red Fort, while real power lay with the British. During the Revolt of 1857, Indian rebels declared him their symbolic leader. After the rebellion was suppressed, the British abolished the Mughal throne. Zafar was captured, tried and exiled to Rangoon, where he spent his last years writing poetry. His death in 1862 marked the official end of the Mughal Empire, closing a significant chapter in Indian history.