Bahadur Shah I ascended the throne in AD 1707. He was a capable ruler. He tried to win over the Rajputs and the Marathas to his side by following a policy of compromise and conciliation. He recognized Ajit Singh as the ruler of Jodhpur. He also released Shahu, the grandson of Shivaji, who had been imprisoned by Aurangzeb and offered him a ‘mansab’ (rank) in the Mughal administration. He also offered a hand of friendship to the Sikhs but was unsuccessful in securing their friendship. He died in AD 1712.