The Revolutionary Queen of Awadh was one of the few women who challenged the British during the revolt of 1857. When Muslim Women were disregarded for being commonly frail and suppressed, Begum strode out of confinement, and instead of succumbing to the turn of events, led a battle against the Colonial Rule and also fought to save the state of Awadh. This is the story of Begum Hazrat Mahal,” Iftikhar-un-Nisa”, the “Pride of all women”, a courtesan, a begum, and an exceptional leader who became the symbol of Awadh’s resistance against the British. Belonging to an age when women were expected to stay in the pardah. Only if "Hazrat Mahal's" fight was successful would her name be mentioned with other deserving warrior princesses like Rani Laxmi Bai and Razia Sultan. Begum encouraged several women to participate in the war; she envisaged uniting all sections of society for the country’s battle. Begum was among the queens whose innate leadership and dominance in rebel councils kept the entire empire grounded, and their roots tightly sealed. The rapid flow of events during the year 1857 marked her flames curving the pages of History.
Early Life of Begum Hazrat Mahal
Begum Hazrat Mahal, also known as the Begum of Awadh, was a courageous woman with enormous guts and valour to fight against the Britishers. Her maiden name was Muhammedi Khanum. Muhammedi Khanum was born in 1820 to an impoverished family in Faizabad, Awadh. She was sold by her parents to royal agents because of their poverty, and as a result, she was forced to work as a Khawasin (maid) in the royal harem. Later, due to her exterior beauty, intelligence, and creative skill, she was elevated to the harem's pari (fairy) and given the name "Mahak Pari."
Begum Hazrat Mahal married Nawab Wajid Ali Shah after being elevated to the rank of pari (fairy) (temporary marriage under contract). After tying knots with Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, she was given the status of begum. She earned the title "Hazrat Mahal" following the birth of their son, Birjis Qadr. Since she didn't belong to the royal kin, she wasn’t well-liked by the royal family. Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, on the other hand, was drawn to her beauty and talent, and never deprived her of his love and faith.
The Doctrine of Lapse
The Doctrine of Lapse, which Lord Dalhousie developed in 1856, was crucial in the East India Company's annexation of the Awadh kingdom. The Doctrine of Lapse was an annexation policy extensively applied by the East India Company in India until 1859. According to the doctrine, if any Indian ruler dies without leaving a male heir, his kingdom would automatically pass over to the British. After the East India Company conquered the province of Awadh and Wajid Ali Shah was banished to Calcutta, on February 13, 1956. Nawab Wajid Ali Shah abandoned Begum Hazrat Mahal and other wedding concubines in the Awadh capital, Lucknow. The general populace, as well as regional leaders, had been outraged by the East India Company's unauthorised encroachment. Since the British acquired control of Awadh, both the political climate and Begum Hazrat Mahal's life altered. After Nawab Wajid Ali Shah was taken to Calcutta by the British, Begum Hazrat Mahal took the initiative to rescue him from their control. Women were then confined to the background, and there was no atmosphere for them to acquire political knowledge. Despite the challenges, Hazrat Mahal boldly devised a strategy to liberate Awadh from both the British and the administrative burden in such a predicament. Begum's skill as a battle planner and administrator demonstrated her leadership abilities and turned Muslims and Hindus against the British.
Indian Rebellion of 1857
Begum Hazrat Mahal maintained her fight for life's independence by defying the British. With her diplomatic savvy, Hazrat Mahal oversaw the British rebellion. She did this by first assembling an army and engaging the British Army in combat while supported by friends. Raja Jalal Singh, who was assigned the responsibility of military combat commander during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, led Begum Hazra Mahal's group of followers in a revolt against the British army, seizing possession of Lucknow. The women's group was headed by Uda Devi, a sharpshooter(sniper). In addition, Begum Hazrat Mahal took the help of King Jalal Singh to fight the British in a stronger way. In support of the local authorities and the populace, Begum Hazrat Mahal in the Awadh capital Lucknow proclaimed independence on May 31, 1857. On July 7, 1857, her 14-year-old son, Prince Birjis Qadr, formally assumed the role of Nawab of Awadh. She established a high-level group for the state's effective governance while also concentrating on its security as the Nawab's mother.
Under the direction of Begum Hazrat Mahal, the Awadh environment that had been upended by the British authority began to settle. Even without Wajid Ali Shah, Hazrat Mahal was crucial in keeping the populace of the state safe. Hazrat had received payments from the farmers and landowners who had earlier refused to pay taxes to the British. Awadh's capital, Lucknow, was once more under British control after over 10 months under Begum Hazrat Mahal's authority. After gaining control of Awadh, the British authorities gave Hazrat Mahal a pension. However, Hazrat Mahal refused to accept a pension from the British since she was a self-respecting and unwavering patriot. For the sake of the people and the state's tranquillity, Hazrat Mahal refused to capitulate and fought a guerrilla war against the British up to November 1859 to free the country. Later, she sought refuge close to Maharaja Jung Bahadur in Nepal. Initially, Jung Bahadur was reluctant to give Begum Hazrat Mahal a place to stay, but later he allowed her shelter.
Death and Legacy
Hazrat Mahal had to retreat to Nepal and spent the rest of her life there. She died on April 7, 1879, and was buried in a nameless grave in the grounds of Kathmandu's Jama Masjid. After her death, on the occasion of Queen Victoria's Accession Day (1887), the British government pardoned Birjis Qadr, and he was allowed to return home.
As a ruler and leader, Hazrat Mahal excelled well beyond the Nawab. She was a political genius with exceptional leadership and management skills. The demand for dignity was one of the primary things Begum Hazrat Mahal fought for. She also enlisted the aid of other courtesans, who fought alongside her in the struggle against the British. Recently, Mohi-ud Din Mirza, a filmmaker, conducted an extensive study at the India House Library in London and came across several references concerning the formidable leader. He made a 26-minute documentary on her, produced by the Films Division of India. In 1962, Begum Hazrat Mahal Park was established in Hazratganj, Lucknow, replacing the previous name of Victoria Park. In memory of Begum Hazrat Mahal, the Indian government released a commemorative stamp on May 10, 1984. The entire city of Lucknow and the kingdom of Awadh united under the leadership of Begum Hazrat Mahal to fight the British in the country's first war of independence. Her feminine courage, patriotism, pride, heroic quest for independence, and survival cemented her place in history. Her memory, too, is entitled to the respect of the brave and the true-hearted of all nations.
The indomitably brave, outspoken Begum became one of the rare female combatants in the first struggle for independence against the British. In several documents, penned by the British, Begum was referred to as ‘the soul of the 1857 war of independence’. Hazrat Mahal is a true example of courage, the name inscribed in golden letters in the annals of India's liberation struggle. In the early days of the liberation movement against the British, she demonstrated her loyalty to the nation and her strength as a nationalist and patriot. She emerged as a bright example of patriotism for the benefit of the country by overcoming the many obstacles that the social system put on women. Hazrat Mahal has created a golden chapter in Indian national history for future generations through her work in parallel with establishing an ideal in Indian society through duty, patriotism, and social service. She has also proved that women's thoughts are not trapped in the four walls, but they are also very brave. Even today, the skills, prudence, courage, and patriotism of Hazrat Mahal are ideal and exemplary for all.