Kathmandu, April 7

The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu and BP Koirala Nepal-India Foundation today organised a wreath laying ceremony at Jame Masjid in Kathmandu to commemorate Begum Hazarat Mahal’s death anniversary.

Indian Ambassador Ranjit Rae laid the wreath at the tomb of Begum Mahal and spoke about her contribution to India’s freedom struggle.  Mahal was one of the earliest female freedom fighters during the First Indian War of Independence in 1857. She was the first wife of Nawab Wajid Shah and possessed the courage to rebel against the British East India Company.

After the British annexed their territory and the King of Awadh, Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, was sent away in exile to Calcutta, she took the responsibility of managing the affairs of the state.

She played a pivotal role in the war and fought the British forces. But the British troops attacked Awadh again and after a long siege were able to re-capture it, forcing her to retreat. Finally she sought asylum in Nepal, where she died in 1879.