Begum kin want Nepal tomb repaired

Begum Hazrat Mahal was one of the wives of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah and had played a key role in the First War of Independence

The descendants of Begum Hazrat Mahal have sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure restoration of her tomb in Nepal that has developed cracks in the April 25 earthquake.

A copy of the letter has also been sent to Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav.

Irfan Ali Mirza, Wajid Ali Shah’s fifth generation descendent, said, “Begum Hazrat Mahal’s tomb is an important chapter in Indian history which must be protected. We would like the governments to restore the monument at the earliest. The magnitude of the quake has been enormous and once the rehabilitation work is over, we will also send an appeal to the government in Nepal”.

Begum Hazrat Mahal was one of the wives of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah and had played a key role in the First War of Independence in 1857.

The royal family of Oudh, a body comprising royals in Oudh, will also send a petition for getting the tomb restored. “Begum is the pride of Oudh pride and her memorial deserves respect,” said Shikoh Azad, the secretary of the royal family of Oudh.

Roshan Taqui, a historian who has authored a book on the Begum, said that she had been orphaned at an early age and lived with her artisan uncle, who had modest means. Her life took a dramatic turn when she defied protocol and refused to dance at one of Wajid Ali Shah’s theatrical performances in which the Nawab played the role of Lord Krishna.

The Nawab was more intrigued than offended at her refusal and when he sought an explanation, she told him that she wrote poetry and would not dance. Nawab Wajid Ali Shah asked her to recite one of her compositions and when she did, he was so wonder- struck that married her.

According to Kenize Mourad, author of The City of Gold and Silver — The Story of Begum Hazrat Mahal, the Begum left many impressed with her courage and strategies.

“Rani of Jhansi Lakshmi Bai is remembered because she died on the battlefield. She fought for about four or five months. But Begum Hazrat Mahal fought the British for two years. It took the British nine months to gain control over Lucknow. The Begum continued her fight for a year after this and later took asylum in Nepal where she died in 1879 and this explains the presence of her tomb there,” she said.