Begum Hazrat Mahal was the junior wife of the last Tajdaar-e-Awadh, Wajid Ali Shah. She was famous for her stunning beauty, courage and leadership skills. She took a rebel against the British East India Company during the rebellion of 1857-1858 and was able to seize control over Lucknow.

After the birth of her son Birjis Qadra she was given the title ‘Hazrat Mahal’. She took charge of the empire, after the British exiled her husband to Calcutta. But as the British recaptured Lucknow, she was forced to retreat to Nepal where she died in an asylum in 1879. Have any views about it? Do share with us!