| Begum Hazrat Mahal | |
|---|---|
| Begum of Nawab of Awadh | |
 Begum Hazrat Mahal | |
| Born | Muhammadi Khanum 1820[citation needed] Faizabad, Awadh |
| Died | 7 April 1879 (aged 59) Kathmandu, Kingdom of Nepal |
| Husband | Nawab Wajid Ali Shah |
| Religion | Shia Islam[1] |
Begum Hazrat Mahal (c. 1820 – 7 April 1879), also known as the Begum of Awadh, was the second wife of Nawab of Awadh Wajid Ali Shah, and the regent of Awadh in 1857–1858. She is known for the leading role she had in the rebellion against the British East India Company during the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
After her husband had been exiled to Calcutta and the Indian Rebellion broke out, she made her son, Prince Birjis Qadr, the Wali (ruler) of Awadh, with herself as regent during his minority. However, she was forced to abandon this role after a short reign.[2] By way of Hallaur, she finally found asylum in Nepal, where she died in 1879. Her role in the rebellion has given her a heroine status in the post-colonial history of India.
- ^ "Begum Hazrat Mahal Biography, History and Facts". 3 February 2018. Archived from the original on 24 August 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
- ^ "A link to Indian freedom movement in Nepal". The Hindu. 8 April 2014. Archived from the original on 10 April 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2014.