The last ruler of the Mughal Empire before British colonization was Bahadur Shah II, also known as Bahadur Shah Zafar. He reigned from 1837 to 1857 and was the last emperor of the Mughal dynasty. His rule marked the decline of the empire, characterized by significant loss of control over territories and diminishing power due to the rise of British colonial influence. Following the Indian Rebellion of 1857, he was deposed by the British, who subsequently dissolved the Mughal Empire, establishing direct control over India. Despite his limited power, Zafar has gained recognition for his poetry and as a symbol of resistance against colonial rule.