Most of them failed to realize the significance of the Revolt and simply did not do enough. Bahadur Shah Zafar and Zeenat Mahal had no faith in the sepoys and negotiated with the British to secure their safety. Most of the taluqdars tried only to protect their own interests. Some of them, like Man singh, changed sides several times depending on which side had the upper hand.

When British reached Delhi Bahadur Shah took refuge in the Humayun's tomb, was captured, tried and deported to Burma by them. So to term Bahadur Shah as a hero of the mutiny of 1857 is quite questionable. As a matter of fact when the sepoys (rebel soldiers) arrived from Meerut, Bahadur Shah seems to have been taken by surprise and promptly conveyed the news to the Lt. Governor at Agra.