Final answer:
Farrukh Siyar ascended the throne for 10 months following the death of Bahadur Shah I, marking a period of decline in the Mughal Empire's authority and stability. The correct option is c.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student asked about who ascended the throne for just 10 months after the death of Bahadur Shah. The correct answer to this question is b. Farrukh Siyar.
After Bahadur Shah I, Farrukh Siyar ruled for a brief period from 1713 to 1719 before being succeeded by other short-reigned emperors which led to a rapid decline in the authoritative structure of the Mughal Empire.
While Bahadur Shah's reign was noted, the subsequent rulers after Farrukh Siyar could not maintain the stability and achievements that earlier Mughal emperors had established, such as Akbar and his descendants. The correct option is c.