Nepal, India observe 136th death anniversary of Begum Hazrat Mahal

The Nepal-Bharat Millat Council, the Embassy of India, the B. P. Koirala India-Nepal Foundation and Jame Masjid, Ghantaghar jointly commemorated the 136th death anniversary of Begum Hazrat Mahal, on Tuesday.

The event was held at the Jame Masjid in Kathmandu. Piyush Srivastava, Charge d' Affaires of Embassy of India in Nepal, laid a wreath on the tomb of Begum Hazrat Mahal located at Bagh Bazar, on behalf of the Indian Government.

Speaking on the occasion, Srivastava remembered the contributions made by Begum Hazrat Mahal to India's freedom movement.

Prior to this, the Fatheha was read out by the students and the Maulvi of Madrassa.

Begum Hazrat Mahal was the wife of former Awadh ruler Nawab Wajid Ali Shah. Her maiden name was Muhammadi Khanum and she was bestowed the title 'Hazrat Mahal' after the birth of her son Birjis Qadr.

She rebelled against the British East India Company during the India's first struggle for freedom in 1857. After her husband was 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 Qadra, to become the Wali (ruler) of Awadh. However, his reign was cut short. She finally found asylum in Nepal where she died in 1879.

The tomb of Begum Hazrat Mahal carries an inscription that she breathed her last in Nepal on April 7, 1879. She was buried in the courtyard of the 'Hindustani Masjid', the mosque she had built for her followers.

Decades later, this structure was torn down and a new mosque, now known as the Jame Masjid, was built in its place.

Today, Hazrat Mahal's resting place lies in the mosque complex.