Begum Hazrat

Meet Begum Hazrat Mahal.Most of us dont know about her.
She was a great Indian freedom-fighter who played a major role during India's First War of independence (1857-58). Behind Begum Hazrat Mahal's graceful nature and physical charm lay the qualities of a strong leader and an adroit strategist, which were strongly witnessed through her contributions to India's first struggle for independence against the British.

In the 1850's, when the British were ruthlessly expanding their control across India, they came across the province of Oudh, which was then an erstwhile seat of art, culture and literature. They eventually annexed Oudh in 1856, exiling Nawab Wajid Ali Shah to Kolkata, thus leaving the kingdom without a leader and in a chaotic mess. It was then when Begum Hazrat Mahal took over the reigns, despite her divorce from the Nawab, she took charge of the affairs of the state of Awadh.

Combining strengths with the revolutionary forces of the First War of Independence, she was soon successful in seizing Lucknow from the British. She crowned her son as royal heir of Awadh.