Begum Hazrat Mahal

Who was Begum Hazrat Mahal?

Begum Hazrat Mahal, also known as Begum of Awadh, was the first wife of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah. She rebelled against the British East India Company during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. After her husband had been exiled to Calcutta, she took charge of the affairs in the state of Awadh and seized control of Lucknow. She also arranged for her son, Prince Birjis Qadir, to become Wali of Awadh; However, he was forced to abandon this role after a short reign. She finally found asylum in Nepal where she died in 1879.