Meer Qutub Baksh, a khayal singer, was given the title 'Tanras' by which ruler?

Explanation

Meer Qutub Baksh, better known as Tanras Khan, was a famous khayal singer of the 19th century. He was a court musician of Bahadur Shah Zafar (1775-1862), the last Mughal emperor, who gave him the title "Tanras", meaning one who is a master of the "taan" (fast melodic runs).

Tanras Khan was known for his brilliant, fast taans and his skill in many forms of vocal music, including khayal and tarana. He is linked with the Delhi gharana of Hindustani music. After the Revolt of 1857, when the British exiled Bahadur Shah Zafar to Rangoon (Yangon) in Burma and the Mughal court came to an end, many musicians of Delhi lost their patronage and moved to other princely courts. Tanras Khan later moved to Hyderabad, where he served at the court of the Nizam. He is remembered as an important link between the musical culture of the Mughal court and the later gharanas.

Bahadur Shah Zafar was himself a poet and a lover of the arts. He wrote Urdu poetry under the pen name "Zafar", and his ghazals are still sung today. His court included famous poets such as Mirza Ghalib and Ibrahim Zauq. During the Revolt of 1857, the rebel soldiers proclaimed him the Emperor of India, and after the revolt was crushed, he was tried by the British and exiled to Rangoon, where he died in 1862.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Akbar (ruled 1556-1605) was the Mughal emperor whose court musician was Tansen, to whom he gave the title "Mian".
• ✗Wajid Ali Shah (ruled 1847-1856) was the last Nawab of Awadh, a great patron of Kathak and thumri.
• ✗Tipu Sultan (ruled 1782-1799) was the ruler of Mysore, famous for his wars against the British.