Begum Hazrat Mahal,The tale of Hazrat Mahal reads like a plot from a best-selling novel or a blockbuster movie – a poor girl turned courtesan, a Nawab who fell in love with her, a Begum who never gave up despite all odds, a story of unwavering resilience. However, as the saying goes, truth is indeed stranger than fiction. All of this, and much more, is rooted in reality.

Early Life and Rise to Prominence

The exact details of Hazrat Mahal’s birth and early life have been lost to history. What remains clear is that her beginnings were marked by pain and tragedy. According to the most widely accepted account, she was born with the name Muhammadi Khanum on an unspecified date. Sold by her parents to the royal harem of the ruler of Awadh, she started as a maid (‘Khawasin’), was later promoted to ‘Pari’ (fairy), and eventually became a ‘Begum’ after catching the eye of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah. Upon giving birth to their son, Birjis Qadar, the ruler was so delighted that he not only married her to legitimize the child’s claim but also bestowed upon her the name Hazrat Mahal, a name that would echo through the annals of history.

Role in the 1857 Indian Rebellion

The Begum of Awadh, known as one of India’s earliest female freedom fighters, played a crucial role in leading the 1857 battle for India’s independence against the British East India Company. Her fearless and courageous actions have solidified her position in history as the primary female leader of Awadh. Despite facing numerous challenges, the brave Queen never gave in to the British and persisted in opposing the British Raj even during her exile in Nepal.She was the second wife of Nawab of Awadh Wajid Ali Shah. She played a significant role in the rebellion against the British East India Company during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. When her husband was exiled and the rebellion began, she became the regent of Awadh with her son, Prince Birjis Qadr, as the ruler. Unfortunately, she had to give up her regency after a short period. She sought refuge in Nepal, where she passed away in 1879. Her bravery during the rebellion has made her a respected figure in India’s history after gaining independence.

British Takeover of Awadh

In 1856, the East India Company took over Awadh and made the Nawab surrender. Even though Begum Hazrat Mahal objected, the Nawab agreed and was banished to Calcutta. She stood firm against the British and chose to reclaim Awadh on her own.

Role as Regent and Queen Mother

When the first Indian war for independence in 1857, also known as the great mutiny, started, she appointed her son, Prince Brijis Qadr, as the Wali, ruler of Awadh, Begum Hazrat Mahal led a group of supporters in a rebellion against the British forces in Lucknow. She took control of the city and became the guardian of her son, Prince Birjis Qadr, who she declared as the ruler of Awadh. As regent, she played a key role in the rebellion against the British.She herself became the Queen Mother and regent while he was still a minor. In Lucknow, alongside her son, she managed the affairs of the rebellious state of Awadh as it engaged in a battle against the Company.

Leadership and Legacy

Begum Hazrat Mahal played a crucial role during the Indian revolution of 1857. She was deeply concerned about the destruction of mosques and temples to build roads, as well as the use of new gunpowder cartridges with pig and cow bones. Begum Hazrat Mahal rallied the people of Awadh to join her cause, even spending all her wealth to support her followers. With their help, she led her troops to victory, reclaiming Lucknow. Her bravery and leadership were essential in the fight for freedom, standing alongside other courageous figures like Rani Laxmi Bai and Bakht Khan.

On March 6, 1858, under the command of British Commander-in-Chief Colin Campbell, a large force of British troops – including English, Scottish, Sikh, Bengali, and even Nepali soldiers – launched the final attack on the historic city of Lucknow. Apple of the eyes of successive Nawabs, the city was filled with walled baghs, palaces, mosques, tombs, and densely-built homes. Many of these beautiful gardens, mosques, and palaces were now in ruins. Some places like the Secundra Bagh – stormed by Highlanders on November 6, 1857 – were still filled with the bodies of hundreds of slain rebel sepoys. The surviving rebels and defenders, remnants of revolting sepoy units from across North India, ordinary residents of the city, and the soldiers and mercenaries from surrounding areas, fought that day as desperately as they had ever done, since the heady days of June 30, 1857, when they had taken the city and besieged the British garrison in their Residency

Offensive Actions Against Religious Beliefs

Consuming pork and wine, chewing on greased cartridges, blending pig fat with sweets, demolishing Hindu and Muslim places of worship under the guise of infrastructure development, constructing churches, deploying clergy to evangelize Christianity in public spaces, establishing English educational institutions, and incentivizing the study of English subjects with a monthly allowance, all while neglecting the upkeep of Hindu and Muslim religious sites – in light of these actions, how can one expect religion to remain untouched?

Restoration of Indian Authority in Lucknow

Hazrat Mahal collaborated with Nana Saheb initially, but eventually allied with the Maulavi of Faizabad to launch an attack on Shahjahanpur. Following the recapture of Lucknow and most of Oudh by the British forces, she was compelled to withdraw.

On July 5, 1857, she successfully restored Indian authority in Lucknow by once again passing on the throne to her 14-year-old son.

Loss of Lucknow and Awadh and Retreat to Nepal

Nonetheless, Begum Hazrat Mahal lost her grip on Lucknow and most of Awadh when British forces reentered on March 16, 1858. She withdrew with her army, yet her retreat did not deter her from trying to regroup soldiers at other locations.Ultimately, by the conclusion of 1859, following a short period of residence in Terai, she had to relocate to Nepal. Initially denied asylum by the Rana, Prime Minister Jang Bahadur, she was eventually permitted to stay, despite the British Government’s demands for her extradition.

British Attempts to Persuade and death

The British government extended a generous pension offer to persuade her to come back to Awadh and serve under their rule, but she declined the offer and persisted in opposing British authority until her final days. She passed away at the age of 59 on April 7, 1879, in Kathmandu, Nepal. Her unwavering dedication during the first Indian war for independence in 1857 has immortalized her as a hero in the annals of the Indian freedom struggle against the British Empire.

Mausoleum in Kathmandu

Following her demise, during the jubilee celebration of Queen Victoria in 1887, Birjis Qadr was granted clemency by the British Government and permitted to return to his homeland. Begum Hazrat Mahal’s mausoleum is situated in the central park of Kathmandu near Jama Masjid, where it is maintained by the Jama Masjid committee.

Begum Hazrat Mahal was commemorated on August 15, 1962, at the historic Victoria Park in Hazratganj, Lucknow for her outstanding contribution to the initial Indian independence struggle of 1857. In addition to the park, a marble monument was erected, featuring a marble tablet adorned with four circular brass plaques displaying the Coat of Arms of the Awadh Royal family. Victoria Park has been a venue for Ram Lila performances and bonfires during Dussehra, as well as the Lucknow Mahotsav.

Commemorative Stamp, National Scholarship to honor Begum Hazrat Mahal.

On May 10, 1984, a commemorative stamp was issued by the Government of India to honor Begum Hazrat Mahal. Additionally, the Ministry of Minority Affairs initiated the Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship for Meritorious Girls from minority communities in India. This scholarship is administered through the Maulana Azad Education Foundation. Begum Hazrat Mahal’s legacy as a fearless fighter against British colonialism, a champion of equality and justice, and a symbol of religious harmony continues to inspire generations.

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