AH 1173-1221 / AD 1759 - 1806

Shah Alam II also known by his birth name Ali Gohar, or Ali Gauhar, was a Mughal emperor and the son of Alamgir II. Shah Alam II became the emperor of a crumbling Mughal Empire. His power was so depleted during his reign that it led to a saying in the Persian language, Sultanat-e-Shah Alam, Az Dilli ta Palam, meaning, 'The empire of Shah Alam is from Delhi to Palam', Palam being a suburb of Delhi.

During his rule, Shah Alam II faced numerous challenges, including conflicts with the Marathas, Sikhs, and various regional rulers. His authority was limited, and he became a pawn in the power struggles between the British and indigenous powers. In 1764, after the British East India Company's victory in the Battle of Buxar, Shah Alam II was forced to become a pensioner of the Company, residing in Allahabad under their protection.

His later years were marked by attempts to regain power, but he was largely unsuccessful. He died in 1788, leaving behind a weakened Mughal Empire under British dominance, symbolizing the final stages of the Mughal decline and the increasing influence of the British in India.