Comments on: The plight of Bahadur Shah Zafar’s descendants http://www.razarumi.com/2007/08/23/the-plight-of-bahadur-shah-zafars-descendants/ In search of the unsearchable: O, my soul! where would you find your house? Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:54:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: sandeep http://www.razarumi.com/2007/08/23/the-plight-of-bahadur-shah-zafars-descendants/comment-page-1/#comment-12944 sandeep Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:38:41 +0000 http://www.razarumi.com/2007/08/23/the-plight-of-bahadur-shah-zafars-descendants/#comment-12944 Am atpresent reading the wonderful book "The Last Mughal" and was curious to know about the descendants of Zafar. while searching i stumbled upon this site. Thanks for the info Am atpresent reading the wonderful book “The Last Mughal” and was curious to know about the descendants of Zafar. while searching i stumbled upon this site. Thanks for the info

]]> By: PLACIDO FERNANDES http://www.razarumi.com/2007/08/23/the-plight-of-bahadur-shah-zafars-descendants/comment-page-1/#comment-12101 PLACIDO FERNANDES Thu, 20 Aug 2009 10:44:54 +0000 http://www.razarumi.com/2007/08/23/the-plight-of-bahadur-shah-zafars-descendants/#comment-12101 I have known sultana begum and all her family members personally for the last 8 years,when they used to come very often to live in mira road,MUMBAI, at her elder daughter's residence.but at that time i never new that they were the decendents of the mughal emperor BAHADURSHAH ZAFAR,I just came to know very recently and was shocked. it's a shame for the indian government and the people of india,to see sultana begum and her family living in utter poverty,while the proper place would have been a palace. I am very grateful to neena and shivnath jha,for bringing this full episode to light. an earlier intervention,by the prime minister of india,to get this royal family out of poverty,would be highly appreciated and respected as well. I have known sultana begum and all her family members personally for the last 8 years,when they used to come very often to live in mira road,MUMBAI, at her elder daughter’s residence.but at that time i never new that they were the decendents of the mughal emperor BAHADURSHAH ZAFAR,I just came to know very recently and was shocked.
it’s a shame for the indian government and the people of india,to see sultana begum and her family living in utter poverty,while the proper place would have been a palace.
I am very grateful to neena and shivnath jha,for bringing this full episode to light.
an earlier intervention,by the prime minister of india,to get this royal family out of poverty,would be highly appreciated and respected as well.

]]> By: Rida http://www.razarumi.com/2007/08/23/the-plight-of-bahadur-shah-zafars-descendants/comment-page-1/#comment-8164 Rida Sun, 16 Nov 2008 11:08:46 +0000 http://www.razarumi.com/2007/08/23/the-plight-of-bahadur-shah-zafars-descendants/#comment-8164 Hey guys, talkin bout decendents hey... well i m a living proof... royal blood is still alive... of the three sons who survived... from the war, 1 went to hydrabad, 1 to delhi n 1 to west bengal- we ve heard bout the bengal people... but i m alos tryin to figure out the other two... we think we r from the delhi people as they moved to pakistan... but cud also be hydrabadiz cos we know more about them... i m still searchin if i find more.. i will tell... but yes we r alive!! Hey guys, talkin bout decendents hey… well i m a living proof… royal blood is still alive… of the three sons who survived… from the war, 1 went to hydrabad, 1 to delhi n 1 to west bengal- we ve heard bout the bengal people… but i m alos tryin to figure out the other two… we think we r from the delhi people as they moved to pakistan… but cud also be hydrabadiz cos we know more about them… i m still searchin if i find more.. i will tell… but yes we r alive!!

]]> By: Parbant Singh Maihari http://www.razarumi.com/2007/08/23/the-plight-of-bahadur-shah-zafars-descendants/comment-page-1/#comment-7516 Parbant Singh Maihari Sun, 26 Oct 2008 12:54:09 +0000 http://www.razarumi.com/2007/08/23/the-plight-of-bahadur-shah-zafars-descendants/#comment-7516 Dear Rokhsana, I have gone through your message to Mr. Samshul Haque of Calcutta. You may contact Sultana Begum on her phone 98319-32545 (India), e-mail : moghulbegum@yahoo.co.in, postal address : 103/12/C, Foreshore Road, Shibpur, Howrah-711 102 (West Bengal) India. She apeaks Bengali. She will appreciate your help. Thank you, Parbant Singh Maiahri e-mail : parbantsinghmaihari@yahoo.co.in Phone : 98315-81924 (India) Dear Rokhsana,
I have gone through your message to Mr. Samshul Haque of Calcutta. You may contact Sultana Begum on her phone 98319-32545 (India), e-mail : moghulbegum@yahoo.co.in, postal address : 103/12/C, Foreshore Road, Shibpur, Howrah-711 102 (West Bengal) India. She apeaks Bengali. She will appreciate your help.
Thank you,
Parbant Singh Maiahri
e-mail : parbantsinghmaihari@yahoo.co.in
Phone : 98315-81924 (India)

]]> By: Vandana http://www.razarumi.com/2007/08/23/the-plight-of-bahadur-shah-zafars-descendants/comment-page-1/#comment-6881 Vandana Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:07:11 +0000 http://www.razarumi.com/2007/08/23/the-plight-of-bahadur-shah-zafars-descendants/#comment-6881 This is a sad, but not a unique case.History ,I am sure, is full of stories of one time rulers and their descendents,living in penury later on.Time spares no one especially those brought down by cataclysmic turn of events.Sultana begum is one such unfotunate person. The Tucy branch of Bahadurshah Zafar's descendants live an ordinary(but not miserable) life in Hyderabad and one of them is a renowned chef who has been trying to safegurad the Mughal "family"recipes.The Uzbekistan government had even invvited them and they visited that country. Regarding this lady,I think although,people will argue against giving preferntial treatment just because of family lineage,I think she could be part of keeping history alive effort.....We should be like Islamic republic of Egypt that runs its main revenues from its pre-Islamic heritage.India has a priceless heritage :Buddhist,Hindu,Mughal,Jain,Sikh.We could be number one in heritage tourism but we are simply squandering everything away. This is a sad, but not a unique case.History ,I am sure, is full of stories of one time rulers and their descendents,living in penury later on.Time spares no one especially those brought down by cataclysmic turn of events.Sultana begum is one such unfotunate person.
The Tucy branch of Bahadurshah Zafar’s descendants live an ordinary(but not miserable) life in Hyderabad and one of them is a renowned chef who has been trying to safegurad the Mughal “family”recipes.The Uzbekistan government had even invvited them and they visited that country.
Regarding this lady,I think although,people will argue against giving preferntial treatment just because of family lineage,I think she could be part of keeping history alive effort…..We should be like Islamic republic of Egypt that runs its main revenues from its pre-Islamic heritage.India has a priceless heritage :Buddhist,Hindu,Mughal,Jain,Sikh.We could be number one in heritage tourism but we are simply squandering everything away.

]]> By: Rifat http://www.razarumi.com/2007/08/23/the-plight-of-bahadur-shah-zafars-descendants/comment-page-1/#comment-6877 Rifat Tue, 30 Sep 2008 22:11:02 +0000 http://www.razarumi.com/2007/08/23/the-plight-of-bahadur-shah-zafars-descendants/#comment-6877 Many commoner, soldiers sacrificed their lives during many battles against British. We respect them all and still feel sorry for their fate. But in every war there are some people who become the symbols, sometimes they are the king/queen or some times general or others. In the Sepoy mutiny we had Tatia topi, Laxmi bai, Hazral mahal and Bahadur Shah. They all were symbols of the war. Many say Bahadur shah Zafar was hesitate to participate in the war. Now, none can make sure that really happened but if that was right can you blame him? We lost so many battles with British before that. My own grand pa is now above 80 and can not even move or sometimes can not think properly. I admire Bahadur Shah that at his that age he got the courage to act something that dangerous. Unfortunately we did not win for many reasons. He lost everything. Do you guys know how the princes were killed? I do not understand one thing, when Tatia Topi's descendents got money or job becasue they are descendents of tatia Topi and no one oppose that (of course not me) so why people oppose when there is a question for baharur Shah's descendants? Do you know when British made the new rule,if a sonless king adopt a son he(the son) will not be able to be the next king, many local maharajas involved with the war. So, you can see their intention. But none question their love for their country because they might have some other reason to join the battle but surely they loved their country and wanted the british to leave the country. I just hope Sultana Begum's and her family will able to live a descent life. Many commoner, soldiers sacrificed their lives during many battles against British. We respect them all and still feel sorry for their fate. But in every war there are some people who become the symbols, sometimes they are the king/queen or some times general or others. In the Sepoy mutiny we had Tatia topi, Laxmi bai, Hazral mahal and Bahadur Shah. They all were symbols of the war. Many say Bahadur shah Zafar was hesitate to participate in the war. Now, none can make sure that really happened but if that was right can you blame him? We lost so many battles with British before that. My own grand pa is now above 80 and can not even move or sometimes can not think properly. I admire Bahadur Shah that at his that age he got the courage to act something that dangerous. Unfortunately we did not win for many reasons. He lost everything. Do you guys know how the princes were killed?
I do not understand one thing, when Tatia Topi’s descendents got money or job becasue they are descendents of tatia Topi and no one oppose that (of course not me) so why people oppose when there is a question for baharur Shah’s descendants?
Do you know when British made the new rule,if a sonless king adopt a son he(the son) will not be able to be the next king, many local maharajas involved with the war. So, you can see their intention. But none question their love for their country because they might have some other reason to join the battle but surely they loved their country and wanted the british to leave the country.
I just hope Sultana Begum’s and her family will able to live a descent life.

]]> By: rokhsana http://www.razarumi.com/2007/08/23/the-plight-of-bahadur-shah-zafars-descendants/comment-page-1/#comment-6876 rokhsana Tue, 30 Sep 2008 19:44:54 +0000 http://www.razarumi.com/2007/08/23/the-plight-of-bahadur-shah-zafars-descendants/#comment-6876 My question to Shamsul Haque, Calcutta (India) How is now Sultana begum's condition? How is her daughters and grand daughter? I knew about her from the web and interested to know about her. May I ask , could you do anything for her? Is n't there some other royal family members in India who are related with them and help them? My other question is, I m in Canada and I am from Bangladesh. Is there anyway I can help her? Thanks. My question to Shamsul Haque, Calcutta (India)
How is now Sultana begum’s condition? How is her daughters and grand daughter? I knew about her from the web and interested to know about her.
May I ask , could you do anything for her? Is n’t there some other royal family members in India who are related with them and help them?
My other question is, I m in Canada and I am from Bangladesh. Is there anyway I can help her?
Thanks.

]]> By: Latumoni http://www.razarumi.com/2007/08/23/the-plight-of-bahadur-shah-zafars-descendants/comment-page-1/#comment-4456 Latumoni Thu, 10 Apr 2008 05:21:58 +0000 http://www.razarumi.com/2007/08/23/the-plight-of-bahadur-shah-zafars-descendants/#comment-4456 Why do we need to help Sultana Begum???..Maybe .Because she is the direct descendent of Bahadur Shah Jafar. Maybe because she is the one of the few reamaining links to a glorious era in Muslim India...Maybe because we should be in some way be still showing some respect and support to the dynasty that left behind such an invaluable legacy for India...Maybe because she is a woman who needs help and we know about her. After all we can't just waste our lives buying coffee in Barista's and text messaging Banana Republic sales to our bubble gum chwing buddies can we??? Why do we need to help Sultana Begum???..Maybe .Because she is the direct descendent of Bahadur Shah Jafar. Maybe because she is the one of the few reamaining links to a glorious era in Muslim India…Maybe because we should be in some way be still showing some respect and support to the dynasty that left behind such an invaluable legacy for India…Maybe because she is a woman who needs help and we know about her. After all we can’t just waste our lives buying coffee in Barista’s and text messaging Banana Republic sales to our bubble gum chwing buddies can we???

]]> By: Shivnath Jha and Neena Jha http://www.razarumi.com/2007/08/23/the-plight-of-bahadur-shah-zafars-descendants/comment-page-1/#comment-3369 Shivnath Jha and Neena Jha Thu, 13 Dec 2007 05:22:23 +0000 http://www.razarumi.com/2007/08/23/the-plight-of-bahadur-shah-zafars-descendants/#comment-3369 After Tatya Tope’s heirs, now it is Bahadur Shah Zafar’s descendant’s turn Lalu Prasad to rehabiliate Sultana Begum, languishing squalour and anonymity in a Howrah slum NEW DELHI, December 11: In the midst of pompous celebrations over the 150th year of India's First War of Indepedence, a fact that rankles is that the heirs of the Mughal’s last emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar, Sultana Begum, continue to languish in squalour and anonymity. The story of middle-aged Sultana Begum brings tears to one's eyes. She runs a tea-stall in Howrah to earn a living for her family. Bahadur Shah Zafar’s heirs are struggling to take out a bare survival. Due to the poverty, daughters in the family were deprived of higher education. But, Union Minister for Railway lalu Prasad and Minister for Corporate Affairs Prem Chand Gupta have hailed the efforts initiated by a Delhi-based couple Neena Jha and Shivnath Jha - who met Sulata Begum recently as a part of their ongoing movement Andolan Ek Pustak Se –and assured the couple that they woiuld do their best to protect Sultana Begum economically, her daughters educationally and fulfill their all desires in view of the 150 year of 1857 Uprising. The ministers asked the duo to collect all official documents and details about the miserable conditions at an earliest. Living in a 8'x8' room at Cowies Ghat's slum located near Foreshao Road in Howrah district of West Bengal, Sultana Begam, the direct descendants of the last Mughal emperor has narrated her miserable conditions and governments – both centre and state – apathy. She expressed her willingness to settle in Chandini Chawk in the National Capital to view the Red Fort, the last residence of Mughal emperor before he was exiled to Rangoon. Sultana Begum, 55, said: "Before I take my last breath, my lifetime desire is to marry my daughter Zinat Mahal, impart education to by only son Kamal Bakht and settle in Chandni Chowk to have glimpses of the Red Fort." On couple’s initiatives, on July 4 this year, Lalu Prasad and Prem Gupta had rehabilitated Vinayak Rao Tope, the third generation of the front line leader of 1857 Uprising Tatya Tope. Besides financial assistance worth Rs.5 lakh, Lalu Prasad also granted employment to Pragati and Tripti, the two daughters of Vinayak Rao Tope in the Container Corporation of India. During the life time of the grate Shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan, the couple had launched a nationwide movement "Andolan Ek Pustak Se" through a book on the life and art of the Ustad to protect all such people and their families who brought laurels and pride to the nation. Besides a 200-page pictorial coffee-table book Lalu Prasad:India’s Miracle, the couple also authored two pictorial monograph – India Calling and 14- Prime Minister of Independent and Sovereign India to strengthen the movement. Sultana Begum gets a pension of Rs 400 a month from the Centre and lives in a pathetic condition in a Howrah’s slum. Bedar Bakht, Sultana Begum's husband died in 1980. "After the death of my husband, I approached the West Bengal Government to provide an accommodation for my family. I got it at Trolly Gunj area. But, due to harassment by some local criminals and local politicians, I was forced to vacate the flat. Since them I am living here with my young daughters," Sultana with tear in her eyes said the couple. Sultana Begum is Howrad line of descent. From Howrah line, Sultana Begum is wife of late Muhammad Bedar Bakht, son of Jamshid Bakht and grandson of Jawan Bakht. According to official records, there are three lines of descent from Bahadir Shah Zafar. From Delhi line, Bahadur Sha Zafar’s son was Mirza Fathul Mulk Bahadur alias Mirza Fakhru had one son Mirza Farkhunda Jamal, who had a son late Hamid Shah and late Begum Qamar Sultan, who married a commoner. While from Hyderabad line, Bahadur Shah’s son was Mirza Quaish, who had one son Mirza Abdullah who had one son Mirza Pyare who married with Habib Begum. Bahadur Sha’s great-great-granddaughter was Begum Laila Ummahani who married married with Yakub Habeebuddin Tucy). There are also descendants of other Mughal kings beside Bahadur Shah-II Most of them used to have or inherited governor's or courtier's positions; some were viziers or worked in the court of the Shah. When the 1857 Mutiny came most of them fled the capital and changed their family name from Mirza, Mughal, Beg, etc. to something more common. Some escaped to distant principalities and held courtier's positions there. Examples include Jalaluddin Mirza’s line of Bengal zamindari under the Maharaja of Dighapatia and the Toluqarifamily, which claims to be Baron Gardner’s descendants as well. After Tatya Tope’s heirs, now it is Bahadur Shah Zafar’s descendant’s turn

Lalu Prasad to rehabiliate Sultana Begum, languishing squalour and anonymity in a Howrah slum

NEW DELHI, December 11: In the midst of pompous celebrations over the 150th year of India’s First War of Indepedence, a fact that rankles is that the heirs of the Mughal’s last emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar, Sultana Begum, continue to languish in squalour and anonymity.

The story of middle-aged Sultana Begum brings tears to one’s eyes. She runs a tea-stall in Howrah to earn a living for her family. Bahadur Shah Zafar’s heirs are struggling to take out a bare survival. Due to the poverty, daughters in the family were deprived of higher education.

But, Union Minister for Railway lalu Prasad and Minister for Corporate Affairs Prem Chand Gupta have hailed the efforts initiated by a Delhi-based couple Neena Jha and Shivnath Jha – who met Sulata Begum recently as a part of their ongoing movement Andolan Ek Pustak Se –and assured the couple that they woiuld do their best to protect Sultana Begum economically, her daughters educationally and fulfill their all desires in view of the 150 year of 1857 Uprising.

The ministers asked the duo to collect all official documents and details about the miserable conditions at an earliest.

Living in a 8′x8′ room at Cowies Ghat’s slum located near Foreshao Road in Howrah district of West Bengal, Sultana Begam, the direct descendants of the last Mughal emperor has narrated her miserable conditions and governments – both centre and state – apathy.

She expressed her willingness to settle in Chandini Chawk in the National Capital to view the Red Fort, the last residence of Mughal emperor before he was exiled to Rangoon.

Sultana Begum, 55, said: “Before I take my last breath, my lifetime desire is to marry my daughter Zinat Mahal, impart education to by only son Kamal Bakht and settle in Chandni Chowk to have glimpses of the Red Fort.”

On couple’s initiatives, on July 4 this year, Lalu Prasad and Prem Gupta had rehabilitated Vinayak Rao Tope, the third generation of the front line leader of 1857 Uprising Tatya Tope. Besides financial assistance worth Rs.5 lakh, Lalu Prasad also granted employment to Pragati and Tripti, the two daughters of Vinayak Rao Tope in the Container Corporation of India.

During the life time of the grate Shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan, the couple had launched a nationwide movement “Andolan Ek Pustak Se” through a book on the life and art of the Ustad to protect all such people and their families who brought laurels and pride to the nation.

Besides a 200-page pictorial coffee-table book Lalu Prasad:India’s Miracle, the couple also authored two pictorial monograph – India Calling and 14- Prime Minister of Independent and Sovereign India to strengthen the movement.
Sultana Begum gets a pension of Rs 400 a month from the Centre and lives in a pathetic condition in a Howrah’s slum. Bedar Bakht, Sultana Begum’s husband died in 1980.

“After the death of my husband, I approached the West Bengal Government to provide an accommodation for my family. I got it at Trolly Gunj area. But, due to harassment by some local criminals and local politicians, I was forced to vacate the flat. Since them I am living here with my young daughters,” Sultana with tear in her eyes said the couple.

Sultana Begum is Howrad line of descent. From Howrah line, Sultana Begum is wife of late Muhammad Bedar Bakht, son of Jamshid Bakht and grandson of Jawan Bakht.

According to official records, there are three lines of descent from Bahadir Shah Zafar. From Delhi line, Bahadur Sha Zafar’s son was Mirza Fathul Mulk Bahadur alias Mirza Fakhru had one son Mirza Farkhunda Jamal, who had a son late Hamid Shah and late Begum Qamar Sultan, who married a commoner.

While from Hyderabad line, Bahadur Shah’s son was Mirza Quaish, who had one son Mirza Abdullah who had one son Mirza Pyare who married with Habib Begum. Bahadur Sha’s great-great-granddaughter was Begum Laila Ummahani who married married with Yakub Habeebuddin Tucy).

There are also descendants of other Mughal kings beside Bahadur Shah-II Most of them used to have or inherited governor’s or courtier’s positions; some were viziers or worked in the court of the Shah. When the 1857 Mutiny came most of them fled the capital and changed their family name from Mirza, Mughal, Beg, etc. to something more common. Some escaped to distant principalities and held courtier’s positions there. Examples include Jalaluddin Mirza’s line of Bengal zamindari under the Maharaja of Dighapatia and the Toluqarifamily, which claims to be Baron Gardner’s descendants as well.

]]> By: gulnaz http://www.razarumi.com/2007/08/23/the-plight-of-bahadur-shah-zafars-descendants/comment-page-1/#comment-2626 gulnaz Fri, 24 Aug 2007 20:11:33 +0000 http://www.razarumi.com/2007/08/23/the-plight-of-bahadur-shah-zafars-descendants/#comment-2626 its really strange how we think nothing of earninig revenue through monumnets built by the moghuls but get all hoity-toity when it comes to giving them a decent pension! amazingly petty attitude i must say. its really strange how we think nothing of earninig revenue through monumnets built by the moghuls but get all hoity-toity when it comes to giving them a decent pension! amazingly petty attitude i must say.

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