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. Twenty-five years ago her husband Mirza Bedar Bakht, the great grandson of last Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar, died in penury.
Bedar Bakht sharpened knives to eke out living. After his death, the West Bengal government was approached by several organisations to provide an accommodation for the family. Sultana Begum ultimately got an accommodation but it was near the Red Light District. The goons occupied the house.
She continued to live in the slum. The anti-social elements preyed upon her daughters and she ran hither and thither to get protection for her daughters. Eminent writer Firoz Bakht Ahmad recounts that when he visited the house he stunned at the condition the family was living in. “There was absolutely nothing in the room in the name of household goods”.
The pension ended with her husband’s death long ago. The poignant story of the descendants of the last Mughal who had to see the sight of his own sons’ eyes gouged out and brought to him by the British and was exiled to Burma, proves the failure of the state and more so, the people to acknowledge the contribution of the heroes of our freedom struggle.
Hello guys
Just a quick question. Does anybody know the current situation of Tipu Sultan’s family? Where do the live in Calcutta?
At least no one can question Tipu Sultan’s patriotism and his descendants were hard working. As much I know about them (from reading), they did business and did well, bought many properties , rent and lease those but now the tenets are behaving like the owner. And they don’t have anything to hire a lawyer.
Please inform me their current address or situation if anybody knows.
I heard his descendants live in Calcutta. But very bad situation. Couple of months age I read in news paper. His descendants to run their family by Rikshaw pulling.
hi friends can anyone tell me about the descendents of Tippu the tiger of Mysore
It is crying shame that such nobility is languishing in such abject poverty ,
degradation & humiliation .
Hi everyone,
I am from Bangladesh. Well I think Mughal last emperor was a hero. He and his family even died for their country and people. I don’t know why government or people of india don’t do anything for the remaining mughals.
Well is there anyone who can supply me the region. I want some more informations such as …..
1. Are there any other descendent of the emperor ? Where and how are they ?
2. Do you anyone have any way of contuct with them ?
3. If go to calkatta can I see them ?
Dear Pallabi Debi,
I have inserted the address and phone of Sultana Begum, the great grand daughter in law of Bahadurshah Zafar a number of times. Perhaps it has been been deleted. I repeat it here for your and other persons too : Sultana Begum, 103/12/C, Foreshore Road, Shibpur, Howrah-711 102 (West Bengal) India. Her mobile phone number is 098319-32545. e-mail : moghulbegum@yahoo.co.in.
I am a journalist. I have writteen about her in 1980 in detail with many photographs. Government of India India recognises her as the legal and direst descendent (in son’s linage), but is giving her a political pension of Rs.400/- only. She is in dire need of financial help as her aging body needs medicines and treatment.
She welcomes everybody who steps at her 6′x11′ resident. I talked to her about you. She would be happy if you visit her.
Thank you
Parbant Singh Maihari
e-mail : parbantsinghmaihari@yahoo.co.in
Mobile : 098315-81924 (India
I would like to thank Mr. Adnan and Mr. Parbant,as well indian muslim blogs too.I came to know The last mughal emperor of india BAHADUR SAHA JAFAR’s
descendants are still alive and are living in india.
Thank you!
So far 127 persons have posted their comments + and – on Begum Sultanaji.
We (my wife Neena and me) are doing our best to rehabilitate Begum, mobilise resources for the marragiage of her daughters and also educational rehabilitation of her only son and grand daughter Rookhsana. If you (those who have visited this site) are really concerned about her present state of affairs, please purchase on book either Monograph on Shehnai maestro Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan OR Lalu Prasad:India’s Miracle. The sale proceeds will be utilsed on this NOBLE CAUSE.
Dear Shivnath ji
I appreciate your efforts which are doing for Begum Sultanji and her family. God bless you for your kind act. But I think it the moral duty of Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi Governments to do something fruitful for the decedent of Emperor Badahar Shah Zafar. Also try to shift his body from Rangoon to Delhi, Lahore or Dhaka as he deserved for his Motherland ‘ The Subcontinent”
Bahudar shah Zafar..this name evokes considerable emotions and feelings amonst anybody who knows the history of the subcontinent….here are instances i thought i will penn down about the last Mughal which may be of interest to all….
Rangoon Mynammar….the last emperor of India was taken in a bullock cart after the fall of delhi in 1857 escorted out humiliated, condemmed and vilified…taken all the way in exile to burma…when he died nobody bothered..his grave unmarked..Is India so numb and heartless not to feel the pain of an emperor being taken away like that. Sad was that day when the whole of India watched that disgrace and not a voice was heard. Is there another nation in this earth which can bear this humiliation and yet not remember..oh zafar!
Delhi 1857 – Flying Kites beyond the yamuna childishly living in a make believe world that his delhi was all ok…Raja rammohan roy came to met him and was surprised by this casual approach…oh Zafar!
Delhi on the penultimate day…when everybody in delhi hindus and muslims alike rallied to the red fort asking Zafar to come out to battle and lead the army of rebels.Zafer refused..it is said that if Zafar did however come out to lead..history would have been written otherwise…Oh zafar I know your were old then !
Zafar during the trails….here sits an old decrepit man seemingly oblivious of whatever is going on, unconcerned with all the insults being thrown at him by the British officers..but what stood out was that every native indian what walked in on seeing this old man sitting in a charpoy would bow down with a mark of respect..to them in thier minds he was still thier emperor. The emperor of India …as narrated by a british Columnist in 1857…oh Zafar!
Just thought I share these with you all…today all this history has been doctored with, very few ppl know what really happenned..but let me tell you this..that to the people of India then he was thier Emperor it didnt matter what religion he had…and lest you forget Zafars mother was probably a rajput lady..but does it matter.